Our Favorite Affordable Spirits
These highly rated spirits won't break the bank. They're perfect for your home bar, cocktails, or as gifts for the upcoming holidays!
Nov 15, 2016
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10SweetThis rum is distilled from fermented grade A molasses, but on the second distillation, maple syrup is added. The maple syrup is also locally sourced (Cumberland, Wisconsin). Roaring Dan is named after Dan Seavey, a pirate in the Great Lakes who infamously stole a schooner named the Nellie Johnson back in 1908 which was loaded with lumber. He was able to board the ship and got the crew drunk before throwing them overboard. When finally caught, he claimed he won the ship in a poker game.
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9HerbalVenus Spirits is a distillery founded by Sean Venus in 2012 and is located in Santa Cruz, California; this is where El Ladrón (the thief) Agave Spirit is distilled. Agave juice is sourced from Guadalajara from agaves in the highlands of Jalisco. The juice is fermented, distilled, and bottled at Venus Spirits. The product is rested in stainless-steel before bottling and is 94 proof.
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8EarthyThis is the second release from El Silencio following up their Joven ensemble bottling. It is meant as more of an introductory bottling and is priced accordingly. Made from 100% espadín, this is distilled in San Baltazar Guelavila, Oaxaca and made by Master Mescalier Pedro Hernandez. It is produced traditionally with agaves roasted in a mesquite-lined pit and the agaves are crushed by a horse-drawn tahona. Natural fermentation is allowed and the mezcal is double-distilled in copper pot stills.
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7Sweet & SpicyThe term "VS" is meaningless to determine age with American brandy. The brandy does, however, have a small age statement: "aged three years in oak" listed on the front of the bottle. Paul Masson was one of the pioneers in the California wine making world back in the 1890's and created and popularized the first American sparkling wine. This brandy has Californian origins, but is bottled and blended in Bardstown, Kentucky.
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6Sweet & RichSelvaRey (translated from Spanish "king of the jungle," hence the gorilla on the label) is created by former Havana Club master blender and ex-Cuban Minister of Rum Francisco “Don Pancho” Fernandez. The rum is a selection of 5 year old rums from copper column-stills, aged in ex-bourbon casks with an infusion of locally sourced chocolate instead of cocoa-flavored syrup.
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5Fruity & SweetThis expression is the youngest released from Courvoisier and uses eaux de vie that range in age from 4-7 years. The grapes are primarily sourced from the Fins Bois region with some Petite Champagne used as well.
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4Sweet & RichJack Daniel's Tennessee Fire was released countrywide in March 2015 after a brief three state limited release. It is made from a blend of Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey and Jack's original cinnamon liqueur.
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3Rich & SweetGlendalough prides itself on being Ireland's first craft distillery, founded by 5 friends from Dublin and Wicklow in 2011. This is their signature Poitín (pronounced "po-tcheen," which means "pot stilled whiskey," the original Irish "water of life") recipe distilled from sugar beets and malted barley, but very lightly aged in sherry casks. The label depicts St. Kevin, the monk credited with introducing pot stilled whiskey to Ireland in the 16th century.
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2SpicyThe Snow Grouse was originally launched in 2008 as a retail-travel exclusive, though it has expanded its market (note: this is not yet available in the US). It is a blended grain whisky and apparently designed to be enjoyed straight from the freezer.
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1Fruity & TartJ&B began as most Scotch whisky blends did — through wine & spirits merchants. J&B stand for the names "Justerini", an Italian who had followed his heart to London and subsequently became a wine & liquor merchant, and "Brooks" who purchased the business a few generations later. The blend as we know it today came about in the 1930s, just after the end of Prohibition.