GUINIGI

Spirit Reviews

95

Villa One Reposado Tequila, Mexico, 80 Proof ($45)

Warm aromas of brown-sugared peaches and toffee lead to an inspirtational array of flavors. Woodsy notes are soaked with mocha and pecan. Stone fruit emerges mid-palate, enhancing clean, baked agave. Silky and elegant, with impeccable balance.

94

Xoloitzcuintle Tequila Anejo ($125)

Aged minimum of 18 months in American oak barrels, this opens in a spicy jab of jalapeno and cinnamon stick, finding its way to a silky-smooth midsection of oak and agave. The finish takes on a luxurious hint of butterscotch.

96

Xoloitzcuintle Tequila Extra Anejo ($180)

Aged for 5 years in American oak barrels, this opens in a richness of butter and honey, with velvety, rounded edges of balanced spice. The complex mix of flavors balance between sweet vanilla, dark chocolate and butterscotch and spicier undertones of toasted agave and white pepper.

90

Xoloitzcuintle Tequila Plata ($70)

Named after the Nahuatl god of fire and lighting and word for dog, the label for this tequila is made from agave fiber. It is made in the highlands of Jalisco, using minimal to no water to dilute and as such, offers an abundance of intensity. Smoky, earthy and salty, it is rounded and smooth, with a finishing note of caramel.

92

Xoloitzcuintle Tequila Reposado ($75)

With toffee and caramel at the forefront, this unfurls into a world of citrus zest, fresh herb, black and white pepper and cooked agave. Intensely flavored and powerful in style, it was aged a minimum of four months in American oak pipon barrel.

91

Austin Cocktails Ruby Red Sparkling Cocktail ($15 – 4-pack)

Made by two sisters in Austin, Texas from vodka mixed with grapefruit, mint, lime, seltzer water and agave, this is a bright, clean and crisp ready-to-drink cocktail that tastes balanced between sweetness and bitterness, tasting mostly of lime and grapefruit. The effervescence is just right, and the alcohol content is subtle. Gluten-free, 104 calories/can and 12.5% ABV.

93

Black Irish Original Cream Liqueur, Ireland ($29)

A liqueur blending Irish Cream and Irish Whiskey, this creamy drink was launched by singer Mariah Carey to sip or mix, an homage to her mixed heritage as the daughter of a Black father and Irish mother. It is as decidedly decadent as her voice, with a rich, effusive texture, tasting of milk chocolate, caramel and toffee. It is to be enjoyed slowly on its own over ice, in cocktails or poured over ice cream and is delicious.

92

Black Irish Salted Caramel Cream Liqueur ($29)

Taking the ingredients used to make the original, a blend of Irish Cream and Irish Whiskey, this adds the nutty savory qualities of salted caramel to the mix, sure to please fans of that flavor. Broodingly dense and creamy, it is highly sip-worthy on its own, but would be divine over ice cream or in a slew of cocktails that would accentuate its saltiness and balance the richness. New York-based Milk Bar collaborated with Black Irish founder Mariah Carey to make a Double Chocolate Caramel Cream Cake inspired by this liqueur.