What a year 2016 has been! Ups and downs, highs and lows, and all the while the Distiller Tasting Table has been reviewing new spirits every day of the week. Of the thousands of spirits we reviewed this year, we whittled things down to our favorite 24. Each day we’ll open a new window on the Distiller Advent Calendar to reveal a new one of our favorite picks!
UPDATE: That’s it, folks! Every window has been opened, revealing our favorite spirits of the year. Thanks to everyone who followed along each day. Next week we’ll be revealing the most popular spirits of the year according to the Distiller community along with much much more. Happy Holidays to you!
REVEAL: December 19th - December 24th Picks
HIDE: December 19th - December 24th Picks
December 24th: Lagavulin 25 Year
Why we chose it:
It’s been a hell of a year; we all deserve a dram of something special to ring in the new year. This 25 year Lagavulin should do the trick, especially if you enjoy fruity sweetness coupled with meaty, smoky savoryness. Cheers to us all!
Origin: Islay, Scotland
Type: Peated Single Malt
Expert Score: 95
Average Score: 4.2 ★★★★☆
Age: 25 Year
ABV: 50.9%
About Lagavulin 25 Year:
Following the release of their 8-year expression and continuing the celebration for the distillery’s 200th anniversary is the release of Lagavulin 25 Year, which is a tribute to all the distillery’s craftsmen over the years. A limited 8,000 bottles of this expression are available beginning in June 2016, with only 1,200 allocated for the US. It has matured exclusively in ex-sherry casks and bottled at its natural cask strength.
December 23rd: Ron Barceló Premium Imperial Blend 30 Aniversario
Why we chose it:
Because this rum offers complexity and depth along with a richness which makes for a lovely after-dinner treat. Very gift worthy and at $100, it won’t break the bank!
Origin: Dominican Republic
Type: Aged Rum
Expert Score: 96
Average Score: 4.8 ★★★★☆
Age: NAS
ABV: 43%
About Ron Barceló Premium Imperial Blend 30 Aniversario:
Created by Miguel Barceló this anniversary blend is aged for 10 years in used American bourbon barrels. The rum is then recasked in Chateau D’Yquem barrels for two years. Each year the company allocates a small amount of this product to the world market.
December 22nd: Tanqueray Old Tom Gin
Why we chose it:
With Tanqueray getting inspiration from their own Old Tom recipe from the 1830’s, this is a great benchmark of the category which has no set standards. Serving it in Martinez cocktail is a great place to start your evening off on the right note.
Origin: Scotland
Type: Old Tom Gin
Expert Score: 92
Average Score: 5.0 ★★★★★
Age: NAS
ABV: 47.3%
About Tanqueray Old Tom Gin:
Released in 2014 as a limited edition run of 100,000 bottles, Tanqueray Old Tom Gin was inspired from a recipe of Charles Tanqueray’s from the 1830’s. The botanicals used are the same as the original Tanqueray (juniper, angelica root, coriander, and licorice), but the proportions differ. The gin is sweetened from beet sugar. The label is a replica of their Old Tom Gin label which was discontinued in 1921.
December 21st: Westland Garryana Single Malt Whiskey
Why we chose it:
Garryana, a type of oak, is the star here. The whiskey is layered with fruit, smoke, spice, and savory/meaty flavors. Another solid whiskey from Westland!
Origin: Washington, USA
Type: American Single Malt
Expert Score: 90
Average Score: 4.3 ★★★★☆
Age: NAS
ABV: 56.2%
About Westland Garryana Single Malt Whiskey:
Garryana marks the first release in Westland’s Native Oak Series, with others to follow in 2017. Master Distiller Matt Hoffman has created these expressions to showcase Pacific Northwest terroir. The rare Quercus garryana (Garry oak) is native only to that part of the world, and new casks of it were used in the maturation process of part of the whiskey. It is bottled at cask strength (56.2% ABV) and is not chill-filtered.
December 20th: Zuidam Flying Dutchman Dark Rum No. 3
Why we chose it:
Any producer making genever, whisky, and now rum makes us take notice; especially when they make them well. Americans, seek this out on your travels abroad for a tasty sipper.
Origin: Netherlands
Type: Aged Rum
Expert Score: 93
Average Score: 4.3 ★★★★☆
Age: 3 Year
ABV: 40%
About Zuidam Flying Dutchman Dark Rum No. 3:
The Netherlands has a long history of distillation, dating back to the 1600s. In addition to the big names like Bols, craft distilleries such as Zuidam crank out an extraordinarily large number of spirits while retaining a reputation for quality. Master Distiller Patrick van Zuidam is considered one of world’s top distillers. The Flying Dutchman No. 3 is aged for at least three years in a combination of new American oak, first-fill Oloroso sherry, and first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry barrels.
December 19th: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof
Why we chose it:
This barrel-strength whiskey from Jack, a first for them, shows a sweet background to balance out the wood. This results in a rich whiskey and one that is surprisingly easy to drink even at this proof. We’re sold!
Origin: Tennessee, USA
Type: Tennessee Whiskey
Expert Score: 92
Average Score: 4.1 ★★★★☆
Age: NAS
ABV: 66%
About Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof:
Jack Daniel’s already offers a single barrel whiskey watered down to 94 proof. The barrel proof, as the name suggests, is bottled at what ever proof the whiskey comes out in the barrel. As each barrel has a different alcohol content due to evaporation during the aging process, there is no standard proof for this bottling.
REVEAL: December 13th - December 18th Picks
HIDE: December 13th - December 18th Picks
December 18th:Botanica Spiritus Barrel Aged Gin
Why we chose it:
Made from a botanically infused grape, not grain base, this gin then spends some time in a French oak barrel. The result? An added dimension and complexity to the gin. You can sip it on its own or try it out as a substitute for either gin or whiskey in cocktails.
Origin: California, USA
Type: Barrel-Aged Gin
Expert Score: 92
Age: NAS
ABV: 45%
About Botanica Spiritus Barrel Aged Gin:
The inquiring minds at Falcon Spirits wanted to know what a botanical-infused brandy would taste like, thus this barrel-aged gin is made from unaged brandy that was distilled from Northern California grape wines. This is not unprecedented, and the distillery imagines a long history of juniper-infused wines and grape-distilled spirits before Britain’s 1618 embargo on French brandy. For their current endeavor, the spirit is re-distilled with the complete botanical blend before resting in new toasted French Oak barrels for 8 months to a year.
December 17th:Laird’s Rare Old Apple Brandy 12 Year
Why we chose it:
It is really nice to see an age statement on any spirit these days. Laird’s has us covered with this brandy which takes 30 pounds of apples for each bottle. Leave a glass out for Santa instead of milk and cookies.
Origin: New Jersey (bottled in Virginia), USA
Type: American Brandy
Expert Score: 91
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 44%
About Laird’s Rare Old Apple Brandy 12 Year:
The Shenandoah Valley and its surrounding area are the source for the apples used in Laird’s brandies which are then distilled in New Jersey. It is then aged in 50-gallon charred oak barrels before bottling in Virginia. Currently, this is the oldest brandy that Laird’s offers. Little known fact: It takes 30 pounds of apples to produce this 12 year-old bottling.
December 16th: Booker’s Rye Whiskey Big Time Batch (2016 Release)
Why we chose it:
“Big Time” is an appropriate name for this bruiser of a rye. Add an ice cube or a few drops of water to tame the beast so it can properly show you the beauty that it is.
Origin: Kentucky, USA
Type: Rye Whiskey
Expert Score: 94
Average Score: 4.8 ★★★★☆
Age: 13 Years
ABV: 68.1%
About Booker’s Rye Whiskey Big Time Batch (2016 Release):
Laid down by the man Booker Noe himself in 2003, this is a rare rye whiskey from the Booker’s label distilled at the Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. Booker Noe was the Master Distiller at Beam from 1960 to 1992, when he handed off the reigns to his son, Fred Noe. This rye was part of a small batch experiment of about one hundred casks that Booker stowed away in his favorite rack houses, D & E, both of which see sun-exposure throughout the day. These are some of the last casks filled by Booker before his death in 2004.
December 15th: Crusoe Organic Spiced Rum
Why we chose it:
Because it’s orange zest and allspice notes have inspired us to start our weekend mornings with a little of this spiked in our coffee!
Origin: California, USA
Type: Spiced Rum
Expert Score: 92
Average Score: 5.0 ★★★★★
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
About Crusoe Organic Spiced Rum:
Crusoe’s spiced rum is produced from “organic molasses and sugarcane”, the distillate is micro-oxygenated, and “hand crushed and sliced” allspice, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla and “hand zested” California oranges are added.
December 14th: Pierde Almas Ancestral Corn Whiskey
Why we chose it:
Since corn or maize is native to Mexico, it only makes sense to make whiskey there. This is produced with the idea to help preserve the 35+ ancestral varieties grown in Oaxaca. A corn whiskey like you’ve never experienced and a must-try.
Origin: Michoacan, Mexico
Type: Mezcal Joven/Blanco/Silver
Expert Score: 94
Age: NAS
ABV: 48%
About Pierde Almas Ancestral Corn Whiskey:
Pierde Almas is best known for their mezcals. This is their first whiskey, twice distilled from ancestral corn varieties from Oaxaca, Mexico supplemented by 6% malted barley. This first release is unaged, but additional stocks are in barrel.
December 13th: Siembra Metl Cenizo Mezcal
Why we chose it:
A very limited release of a mezcal which distills in pine and oyamel (a type of fir) rather than copper, steel, or clay. Additionally cenizo, not the more common espadín agave is used. A real treat; please seek out!
Origin: Michoacan, Mexico
Type: Mezcal Joven/Blanco/Silver
Expert Score: 94
Average Score: 3.7 ★★★☆☆
Age: NAS
ABV: 48%
About Siembra Metl Cenizo Mezcal:
Oaxaca is synonymous with mezcal but it should not overshadow what’s being done in other states such as Michoacan. A spirit as expressive of terroir as mezcal makes these “particulars” quite compelling. Produced using the rare agave cenizo in the “method ancestral”, this mezcal is distilled in both oyamel and pine wood stills.
REVEAL: December 7th - December 12th Picks
HIDE: December 7th - December 12th Picks
December 12th: Genevieve Genever-Style Gin
Why we chose it:
This genever-style spirit released in 2007 introduced folks to the category which had disappeared from the States long before its return to cocktail bars, themselves remnant from the past. Have in an Old Fashioned or sipped neat with a cold brew to chase it.
Origin: California, USA
Type: Genever-Style Gin
Expert Score: 92
Average Score: 5.0 ★★★★★
Age: NAS
ABV: 45%
About Genevieve Genever-Style Gin:
Anchor’s Genevieve is distilled with the same botanicals as their Junipero dry gin, but the base is a grain mash of wheat, barley, and rye malts which are distilled in a copper pot-still. This is their interpretation of a Genever which is more akin to an unaged whiskey with botanicals.
December 11th: Kavalan Solist PX Sherry Cask
Why we chose it:
Pedro Ximenez sherry barrels, which this whisky is aged exclusively in, makes this a single malt for those with a sweet tooth. Chocolate, vanilla, raisins, candied orange…the list goes on. Indulge yourself; we live once!
Origin: Taiwan
Type: Single Malt
Expert Score: 94
Average Score: 5.0 ★★★★★
Age: NAS
ABV: 55.6%
Aged In: Ex-PX Sherry
About Kavalan Solist PX Sherry Cask:
One of four new members of the Solist series from Kavalan, the PX cask hits the U.S. in fall 2016. Like each entrant of the Solist lineup, it’s bottled at cask strength, here 55.6%. Its new accompanying mates in the series include Solist Amontillado, Solist Manzanilla, and Solist Moscatel.
December 10th: Plantation O.F.T.D. Overproof Rum
Why we chose it:
Developed by a who’s who of rum masters, this is a must buy if you’re even remotely interested in Tiki drinks. Try in your next Zombie!
Origin: Barbados, Guyana, and Jamaica
Type: Navy Rum
Expert Score: 93
Average Score: 4.3 ★★★★☆
Age: NAS
ABV: 69%
About Plantation O.F.T.D. Overproof Rum:
Plantation O.F.T.D. (Old Fashioned Traditional Dark) Overproof is a group effort. Alexandre Gabriel, Master Blender for Plantation Rum, brought together six rum luminaries–Jeff “Beachbum” Berry from Latitude 29, Martin Cate from Smuggler’s Cove, Paul McFadyen from Trailer Happiness, Paul McGee from Lost Lake, Scotty Schuder from Dirty Dick, and Dave Wondrich, cocktail historian extraordinaire. Over many tasting and blending sessions, they formulated a rum ideally suited for use in top-shelf Tiki and tropical cocktails.
December 9th: Royal Brackla 21 Year
Why we chose it:
Rarely seen as a single malt, Royal Brackla is one of the whiskies used to comprise Dewar’s. This 21-year shows off a rich, honeyed and tropical fruit profile.
Origin: Highlands, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch
Expert Score: 94
Average Score: 4.0 ★★★★☆
Age: 21 Years
ABV: 40%
Aged In: Oloroso Sherry Butts
About Royal Brackla 21 Year:
The eldest of three recent Royal Brackla releases, the 21 year old heads up the distillery’s new single malt lineup. Touted as The King’s Own Whisky since receiving a royal warrant in the early 19th century, Royal Brackla is known for both its long fermentation period and tall, slowly run stills, producing a profile rich in esters and their fruity notes.
December 8th: ABK6 Extra Cognac
Why we chose it:
It’s always nice to see a brandy bottled above 40% ABV for that extra little oomph. A rich, complex Cognac with an impressive bottle to boot for those on Santa’s nice list.
Origin: Fins Bois, France
Type: Cognac Napoléon/Extra/Hors d’Age/Vieux
Expert Score: 94
Age: NAS
ABV: 43%
Aged In: Limousin Oak
About ABK6 Extra Cognac:
Though the name and packaging might seem ultra-modern, ABK6 is a Cognac steeped in family tradition. The name is a play on the French pronunciation of the family’s name – Abécassis. Their single estate Cognacs are produced in the Fins Bois region, with nearly 500 acres of vineyards. The Extra is a blend of Cognacs matured in Limousin oak spanning several decades, bottled in a fetching crystal decanter at cask strength.
December 7th: Beefeater London Dry Gin (47%)
Why we chose it:
A benchmark London Dry gin has to be included in our favorite spirits, not only of 2016, but always. Hall of Famer!
Origin: England
Type: London Dry Gin
Expert Score: 97
Average User Rating: 3.7 ★★★☆☆
Age: NAS
ABV: 47%
Aged In: Unaged
About Beefeater London Dry Gin (47%):
Beefeater is a London Dry Gin that is actually produced in London; the distillery is located in Kennington just south of the River Thames. It is made from a neutral grain spirit base to which nine botanicals are added and steeped for 24 hours. These botanicals include, in addition to the juniper, coriander seeds, licorice root, citrus peel, and bitter almond. This is then redistilled and reduced to strength with softened water. This 47% ABV is their export strength version. The Beefeater name was chosen as to be something quintessentially London; the Beefeaters, as the Yeomen Warders are called, have been guarding the Tower of London since 1485 and adorn the bottles.
REVEAL: December 1st - December 6th Picks
HIDE: December 1st - December 6th Picks
December 6th: J. P. Wiser’s Legacy Canadian Whisky
Why we chose it:
A solid whisky to add to your home bar and one which won’t break the bank. With its pleasant rye and oaky flavors, this will cause those that think all Canadian whiskies taste the same to sit up and take notice.
Origin: Ontario, Canada
Type: Canadian Whisky
Expert Score: 94
Average User Rating: 4.3 ★★★★☆
Age: NAS
ABV: 45%
Aged In: Toasted, new white oak
About J. P. Wiser’s Legacy Canadian Whisky:
This whisky is a tribute to J.P. Wiser and a testament to the quality of Canadian whisky that Wiser established as a style many years ago. Former Master Blender David Doyle blended this Canadian gem with then Wiser apprentice Don Livermore. A rye-grain heavy mash is distilled in traditional copper pot-stills then aged in toasted new white oak barrels. A toasted oak, rather than charred oak, helps mellow the distillate through the aging cycle.
December 5th: Novo Fogo Graciosa Cachaça
Why we chose it:
Not all cachaças are meant to mix–especially if they are aged in Castanheira do Pará (Brazilian nut barrels). It brings out a warm, spiced accent to the spirit.
Origin: Brazil
Type: Aged Cachaça
Expert Score: 92
Age: NAS
ABV: 42%
Aged In: repurposed bourbon oak and castanheira do pará (brazil nut)
About Novo Fogo Graciosa Cachaça:
A special release for 2016, this cachaça is certified organic and distilled at a zero-waste facility near Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest. Blended and bottled at 42% ABV, Novo Fogo Graciosa Cachaça benefits from double barreling—primarily aging 2 years in used oak, followed by an 18-month finishing in Brazil nut barrels.
December 4th: Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2016)
Why we chose it:
Each year’s Limited Edition Small Batch is exceptional and 2016’s release is no different. Spicy with a rich vanilla and red fruit flavor, this is one to splurge if you see it out in the wild.
Origin: Kentucky, USA
Type: Bourbon
Expert Score: 96
Average User Rating: 4.6 ★★★★☆
Age: NAS
ABV: 55.6%
Aged In: New, Charred American Oak
About Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2016):
The 2016 Limited Edition Small Batch bourbon from Four Roses incorporates three bourbons, each with a different one of their 10 mash bills: 12-year-old OESO, 12-year-old OBSV, and 16-year-old OESK. It’s the first time in seven years that the OESO has made an appearance in this release. Bottled at barrel strength, 111.2 proof, there are 9,258 hand-numbered bottles in the release.
December 3rd: 123 Organic Extra Añejo Diablito Tequila
Why we chose it:
This extra añejo spends its 3+ years in French rather than American oak which helps to work with rather than cover up the blue agave. Great paired with dessert like flan or vanilla ice cream or simply as-is in a snifter.
Origin: Jalisco, Mexico
Type: Tequila Extra Añejo
Expert Score: 95
Average User Rating: 4.3 ★★★★☆
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
Aged In: New, Charred French Oak
About 1 2 3 Organic Extra Añejo Diablito Tequila
“Diablito” translates to “the little devil,” a play here on the phrase “the devil is in the details.” The agave used in this tequila is grown using certified organic methods at 6,000 feet above sea level, in the Tierra Roja soils of the Amatitan region of Jalisco. The spirit is aged for 3 years and four months in new, lightly-charred French oak.
December 2nd: Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin
Why we chose it:
A gin with 47 ingredients sounds like a cacophony and not a symphony, but that’s exactly what this German gin is.
Origin: Germany
Type: Modern Gin
Expert Score: 99
Average User Rating: 4.6 ★★★★☆
Age: NAS
ABV: 47%
Aged In: Earthenware Containers
About Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin:
Hailing from Germany’s Black Forest, Monkey 47 is an exotic gin made with a molasses base. The 47 refers to the amount of botanicals used which includes such unlikely fruit ingredients like lingonberries, blackberries, and honey pomelo. These are combined with a host of recognizable gin botanicals such as chamomile, sage, angelica, coriander, and a whole array of others. Another anomaly at Monkey 47 is that the distillate is aged in earthenware containers for three months before being brought to 47 degrees alcohol with the forest’s celebrated water.
December 1st: Midleton Dair Ghaelach
Why we chose it:
It’s a unique whiskey showcasing the provenance of the oak. A fine result from Midleton and we hope to see more experimentation from them if this bottling is any indication of what to expect!
Origin: Ireland
Type: Single Pot Still Whiskey
Expert Score: 92
Average User Rating: 4.5 ★★★★☆
Age: NAS
ABV: 58%
Cask Type: Ex-Bourbon, Finished in New Irish Oak
About Midleton Dair Ghaelach:
Dair Ghaelach is Gaelic for “Irish oak.” It’s a simple, fitting name for this single pot-still whiskey, which is a blend of 15 to 22 year-old Midleton that was initially aged in ex-bourbon barrels. Overseen by Master Blender Billy Leighton and Master of Maturation Kevin O’Gorman, this whiskey is further matured for 10 months in virgin oak grown in Grinsell Woods on the Ballaghtobin Estate in Co. Kilkenny.
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