Tastes
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This is sublime. Pomace brandies have a purpose. That purpose is to remind us that taste is a child of smell, and that smell is the most emotionally resonant of the senses. This is why we drink pomace brandies at the end of a meal: they prod us with alcoholic bite to remember that what we taste makes us feel things; that those things can be profound; and that those feelings can ratify communion with our fellows. I drink this and I feel a sense of strangeness, and distress, and beauty, and magnificence. It is as potent as it is voluptuious and warming: purple fruit, almonds, lavender, cured pork. A kaleidoscope of flavors and aromas, none of them domineering, all of them softened by the presence of each other into a quiet harmony. Stunning work from a brilliant producer.160.0 USD per Bottle
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Laphroaig 33 Year The Ian Hunter Story Book 3
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed March 9, 2025 (edited March 12, 2025)This is the best expression of Islay I’ve ever had. Full-bore Laphroaig—iodine and bandaids, balanced by tropical sweetness—but showing its age like Susan Sarandon. The nose is heather honey, toffee, sea salted crackers, and shortbread, with a powerful kick of campfire smoke and petrichor. Laphroaig’s aggressively peaty attack is mellowed into a soft, briny, and earthy palate-entry, with hints of an idiopathological sweetness. The mid-palate is a kaleidoscope of guava, salted dark chocolate, licorice, and overripe mango, with a meaty smokiness offering balance. The finish is where this whiskey truly shines: bright, key-lime and curaçao emerges quickly and assertively; cacao and salinity linger longly; you are begged to take another sip and experience it anew. As close to perfection as I’ve been fortunate enough to experience.1000.0 USD per Bottle -
Gourry de Chadeville Grande Champagne Cognac Single Cask #1
Cognac — Grande Champagne, France
Reviewed February 12, 2025This Cognac is too hot at 64.3%, the attack a pure ethanol blast. Orange zest and chocolate appear like echoes of something lost. 2/5 With dilution, it transforms. The alcohol carries zesty orange, chewy chocolate, roasted coffee, and nuts into a rich leather-and-rancio finish. Reminiscent of PM’s best Armagnacs. 5/5. -
Blood orange zest, red and white flowers, and slight sawdust on the nose; intensely fragrant. Orange flesh and zest, red fruits led by bing cherry, vanilla, more red flowers on the oily and mouth-coating palate. Its 55% abv only shows itself in the richness of its mouthfeel and the profoundly long and beautiful finish: A Spring meadow and what I can describe as strawberry Pop Rocks (?) tingle in waves on the back palate for nearky a minute. Very special stuff.70.0 USD per Bottle
Results 1-4 of 4 Reviews