You’ve gone through all of the hard work of picking out and putting together a great costume for Halloween. You’re just putting the final touches on your vampire makeup, and then the most important question of the night hits you. What drinks are you bringing to the party? Why go through all of that hard work to put together an amazing costume, then show up with a few light beers? That simply won’t do.
These spirit recommendations are highly rated, but also perfectly named for All Hallows’ Eve.
SPIRITS FOR HALLOWEEN
WHISKEY
Arran The Devil’s Punchbowl Chapter III The Fiendish Finale
A vatting of eight sherry butts, five ex-bourbon casks and eight French barriques, this big-flavored whisky does well with a little water. This is a very exciting expression of one of Scotland’s youngest distilleries.
Sons of Liberty Pumpkin Spice Whiskey
A whopping 30,000 pounds of Rhode-Island-grown pumpkins are roasted and juiced in the creation of this annual flavored release from Sons of Liberty. The pumpkin is combined with a range of spices and flavorings, along with the whiskey itself, and is ultimately bottled at 80 proof.
A Pavlovian reaction may occur when taking a whiff of the whisky. Bacon bits, toasted cereal, and peat smoke are followed by sweet tastes of honey, lemon and sea salt.
Slaughter House American Whiskey
The first whiff of Slaughter House Whiskey suggests that there’s something unusual to it — in this case, a cask finish in the winery’s Bordeaux blend barrels.
It’s a very classic style of bourbon that plays all the greatest hits – vanilla, red apple, leather, a hit of char and warm spice. It goes down rather smoothly somewhat on the sweet side and is easy to drink. Sometimes all you want is a good bourbon that tastes like bourbon, and that is what this is.
RUM
The attention-getting nose exhibits bold honey-spice (dried ginger and allspice dominate), along with grilled pineapple. On the palate, toasty coconut, more spice and orange honey emerge; the flavors are unabashedly full-blown without ever being totally over-the-top.
This medium-bodied rum is all about the butterscotch and toffee on the nose. On the palate, these flavors are repeated, with the addition of roasted coffee, bananas, cashews and nutmeg.
The nose reveals a vanilla/caramel swirl with anise, cocoa, a hint of orange, and allspice. On the palate, the rum has a strong caramel pop balanced by funky oak notes. As these notes fade, anise and allspice is detected in the aroma along with a strong alcohol bite.
BRANDY
A very floral nose, with honeysuckle, jasmine, and orchid notes predominant with a background of lime peel, vanilla, and mango. The palate is lightly sweet and fruity with lime and mango, hints of coconut husk, and mamey sapote evident.
GIN
3 Howls Good Old Fashioned Gin
Lemon peel takes the lead on the aroma of 3 Howls Old Fashioned Gin, but on the palate juniper has the strongest botanical presence. Supporting notes are earthy and woody. It’s not as floral or citrusy as many New Western gins and will appeal to those seeking a stronger juniper note.
The botanicals in Fremont Mischief Gin are light in aroma, with a few notes of citrus and flowers wafting up from the spirit. It’s soft and rounded on the palate, with just a little juniper bite and bright notes of citrus and coriander.
AGAVE
123 Organic Extra Anejo Diablito Tequila
Though this spirit is at a considerable age for a tequila, the aromas wafting from the glass still have the youthful exuberance of fresh agave, with a hint of brown sugar.
Tequila Chamucos Reposado Especial
While not much is going on with the blanco expression, the force is strong with this one. The nose has an aroma of freshly-laid pavement with stewed agave notes. On the palate, golden apple and pear share the stage with sweet floral notes that are reminiscent of Earl Grey Tea.
The nose is fairly straight-forward with abundant notes of smoked meats and brine. The palate is where things get more interesting; flavors of lemon zest, salt, grilled rosemary and ash are detected. Overall, this is an enjoyable mezcal and at this price point, one that is very suitable for a cocktail.
Looking for more spirits for Halloween?
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