Tastes
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Stellum Black Equinox Bourbon (Blend #1)
Bourbon — USA
Reviewed July 23, 2022 (edited April 1, 2023)Coming out of the bottle at a staggering 117.26% proof, this is nonetheless an extremely quaffable spirit. Rich, enveloping sweetness is liberally doused with a heady charred oak profile. There’s a lot going on here with the flavor mix. Baking spices, sweet corn, chewy brown bread, young tobacco, toasted muffin, and light cinnamon all work as a cohesive unit. The finish is long and ends on a toffee note. All in all, another sure-fire winner from Stellum. -
Sweet and spicy rye greets the palate with a warm wash of caramel tinged goodness. The mouthfeel is very round and semi-heavy mainly due to the eye popping 115.12% proof. Adding some water to bring down the fire, reveals a more tempered spirit with softer notes of nut bread, coffee cake and pecan pie. This is a whiskey that keeps on giving. One sip will not do. To celebrate your bottle, try a few ounces in your next, very special Sazerac. Truly exceptional.
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Barrell Bourbon Batch 033
Bourbon — (bottled in) Kentucky, USA
Reviewed July 23, 2022 (edited January 31, 2023)It’s an interesting blend for sure. The rye kicks in the top notes from the get go, with the sweetness of the corn spirit filling in the lower mid-range. Peppery with a bittersweet cocoa effect, yet with a mellow edge that offsets the heavy rye character. The aftertaste is very much like a cold-brewed black coffee, which leaves the palate with some bitterness. This release to our reckoning is sharply different than the most recent expressons from Barrell. Somewhat austere, yet with a familiarity that sneaks up on you. -
At first sip, the gin seems very traditional, with perhaps more citrus than a typical London Dry, but I soon realized that this was only the gateway into the heart of the gin. Laying beneath the juniper and lemon zest, is a small furnace of warming spices and percolating heat. Peppery, yes, and with a lasting gingery texture. In fact, the heat goes on for several minutes. But not to fear, the overall effect is cooling. In a cocktail, this gin works well with curries, vindaloos and masalas. Try some more citrus forward libations to add a tropical color. Very nicely done.
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A single sip, and you are transported into the heart of Oaxaca. Wood fire, sweet agave, slight fruitiness and a mineral terroir that comes from the water that brings this spirit down to proof. One of the most authentic tasting mezcals that we’ve enjoyed over the years. The flavors of each element are in total balance with one another, with the end result being a smooth and vibrant tasting experience. One of the key elements is the open air fermentation, which inevitably brings a unique touch to every batch. Very well done, and a testament to the skills of maestro mezcalero, Juan Pacheco Santos.
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Clonakilty Single Batch Double Oak Finish
Blended — Ireland
Reviewed July 10, 2022 (edited July 23, 2022)Light, malt forward and slightly sweetened from the wine barrel aging, this is really a lovely and exceptional Irish whiskey. Warm, round, smooth and full of conviviality. The salinity you might expect from a maritime distillery is present, but only in the same way a skilled chef or mixologist would use. It’s easy to see that the master distiller uses the same approach in terms of aging, and blending the final product. This is just one pleasant experience from beginning to end. Sláinte! -
Slightly sweet and funky, the oak and bourbon add a somewhat fruity and nutty character to the distillate. Still light and recognizable as a cachaça, this expression will add more character to your cocktails in much the same way that an aged rum would. More body, more depth and more flavor. Try this in an Old-Fashioned or as the base in a faux-tropical libation. Novo Fogo knows what they are doing.
Results 211-220 of 305 Reviews