Tastes
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This is one of my first mezcal purchases. I initially got it to use in cocktails and at the time I didnt really drink mezcal on it's own. But after finally trying it on it's own a couple months after purchasing it I couldnt believe how good it was. Its really what got me hooked on mezcal and what got me searching for more elusive bottles. Its incredibly versatile and really works great in cocktails and on it's own and for $60 or so it's a very good value. The nose is very light, with some citrus and a touch of smoke. It's really very fleeting, which may be the only real negative. The palate still has the smoke but it doesnt last long and quickly gives way to a sweeter fruit flavor, maybe pineapple. On the tongue it has a thick oily feel to it, almost the feel you get from a bottle of Russian vodka straight from the freezer. The finish lingers for quite a while, with a slight burn and a touch of sweetness. This is definitely a great beginner mezcal, but it's still worthy of being in any mezcal fans collection regardless of how popular it is. I was tempted to bump this up to a 4.25, but the nose hurts it slightly, but either way I would recommend this mezcal.60.0 USD per Bottle
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I'm not one to drink vodka on it's own. In college, sure, but nowadays only in mixed drinks. However, I only had a little left of this bottle so I figured why not. I will say, this is my favorite vodka for cocktails and the one I always turn to when a drink doesnt call for a specific vodka. I typically stick to wheat vodkas for cocktails since they seem to be softer and more neutral than other types I've tried but that may be because I dont drink vodka on it's own too often. Either way, It's hard to beat the price and it's about as neutral of a spirit as you can get. The nose doesnt have a ton going on, a little spice and pepper and a touch of heat. On the first taste you get a little citrus, sweetness, clove and a touch of pepper. None very strong and it has a nice silky feel to it. On the way down there is very little burn and the finish is actually pretty long. Again at the $15 or so price point, it's hard to beat. I was tempted to score it even higher on the price alone, but it is still vodka and not something I would make a habit of drinking on it's own anytime soon.15.0 USD per Bottle
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This was my first amaro purchase. I mainly got it for a recipe that I wanted to make in one of my cocktail books and decided after a couple of months to give it a try on it's own. I was pleasantly surprised, it was very easy to drink and it got me interested in trying other amari. It's been a while since I opened this bottle, so the flavor profile may have changed slightly, but there is still over half the bottle, so maybe not. It's definitely not my favorite amaro, but it has its strong points and works pretty well in cocktails, but anyway onto the tasting. The aroma hits you with some spice and orange peel. The palate has a bittersweet taste, pretty syrupy, although less so than some of the lower proof amari out there. The orange peel is still there and even some stone fruit appears. On the way down, it has a little bite to it, but nothing crazy, especially for those that drink their whiskey or other spirits neat. The sweetness starts to come through in the finish, which actually lasts pretty long. Nonino has a lot of credibility in the grappa realm and this amaro is well made and I'm sure it will please most amaro fans, I just don't find it as good as the price tag would have you believe. If I removed the price tag from the review, I would probably bump this up to a 4. It's still pretty good and a quality after dinner drink, but I don't think I would spend the money just to use it in cocktails (I would lean towards Montenegro, which I feel is better and cheaper, or even the mainstays like Ramazzotti and Averna for cocktails that call for amaro).50.0 USD per Bottle
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Del Maguey Pechuga Mezcal
Mezcal Joven — Oaxaca, Mexico
Reviewed May 19, 2020 (edited August 6, 2020)I probably have a soft spot for this one since it's my first big mezcal purchase. I've had a bunch of cocktail mezcals (any low abv mezcal under $50) and I enjoyed them but they lacked depth and complexity. This was also my first pechuga and it blew me away back then and while it doesnt hold up as much now that I've tried many other high quality mezcals, it's still very good. As with nearly all pechugas it is triple distilled with a chicken breast hanging in the still during the third distillation. My bottle is actually distilled in 2012 and has an abv of 49% (quality sipping mezcal isnt altered or watered down so the abv changes with each batch). I bought it in 2015 and have randomly drank it off and on since then. Unlike nearly every other spirit most mezcals actually get better after they are opened. Some of the harshness gets toned down and that was the case with this one for sure (there are actually quite a few very good mezcals that are aged in glass before they are released). At the moment I have about 25% of the bottle left. On the nose I get clay and what smells like what you get when you walk outside on a damp, dewy morning. The palate is where this one shines, with some spice (thinking clove), light smoke, leather and citrus. The finish is incredibly smooth, with a nice burn on the way down. It really just lingers for a good ten minutes after the last sip. Its definitely a quality mezcal and one that gets better with age. I would be curious to know if this has changed since the company was sold to Pernod Ricard. Either way, a very good mezcal.180.0 USD per Bottle -
Beefeater London Dry Gin (47%)
London Dry Gin — England
Reviewed May 16, 2020 (edited April 21, 2022)I'm not usually one to drink gin neat, but its actually pretty good. The nose definitely hits you with juniper and orange peel. On the palate, you get the citrus and juniper as well as cardamom and some heat. The spice really comes through on the way down and while there is some heat, its really not that bad. I probably wont be making this a daily routine or anything but for a gin it is pretty good neat. I think the real value is in cocktails. I think this is the best London dry gin to use in classic cocktails. It makes an amazing negroni. At the price, you cant beat it. Tanqueray is solid but a bit too expensive in comparison and while I'm a big fan of Plymouth gin, it's a bit too light and doesnt have enough backbone to stand up in some cocktails. Quite simply, Beefeater is probably the best london dry gin around and the value just makes it that much better.18.0 USD per Bottle -
As with most cask strength spirits, the heat can be felt on the nose but for this bookers release you also get vanilla and even some smoke and leather. The ethanol still dominates though. The palate is unfortunately disappointing. The heat is felt quickly with the high proof but quickly followed by caramel. It really is pretty one dimensional. It's not bad, but the faint leather and smoke from the nose is not even there. Maybe slightly on the finish but even that is subdued and you really just feel the burn on the way down with a touch of spice. Adding a bit of water doesnt really do too much besides lessening the ethanol ambush on the nose and on the way down. It's still one dimensional with caramel leading the charge. I've had a few of the bookers bourbons but this one seems more useful in a high quality cocktail like a mint julep over just sipping it on its own. Decent but ultimately disappointing.75.0 USD per Bottle
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Appleton Estate Joy Anniversary Blend
Aged Rum — Jamaica
Reviewed April 28, 2020 (edited November 5, 2021)I started out drinking aged rums before I got into whiskey and other spirits primarily due to the cost. I thought I was getting a deal when I could spend less than $50 on a 15 plus year aged rum. However, a decent number of these rums ended up being too sweet. Once I got into whiskey, I sort of stopped drinking rum. It's not that I didnt like it, it just didnt offer enough complexity. Jamaican rums, however, offered just the right amount of funk without being too sweet that I still drink them every now and again. So when this rum became available I had to give it a shot. Its costly, but well worth it. The aroma starts with tropical fruit and molasses. The palate reinforces the molasses but there is a richness that coats the mouth with vanilla, banana and light oak (less so than the Appleton 21yr). The funk that is typical of most Jamaican rums is really dialed back but in no way is that a knock on it. Unlike many long aged rums it's not overly oaky or too sweet. Its actually pretty dry. The finish does not disappoint, lasting for a long while after finishing and with only a slight touch of heat going down. Joy Spence is truly one of the most accomplished master blenders around and this is a truly amazing rum. I have tasted only a couple rums better than this so while I probably should round this up to a 5, I will stick to 4.75, but either way its outstanding.250.0 USD per Bottle -
A solid dram that excels at being balanced for such a young whisky. The nose has the familiar peat aroma along with apple and pear. The taste confirms the nose, with a nice balance of fruit and light smoke. It goes down smooth, with only the slightest bit of burn, which isn't unexpected with it being 46% abv. There is no real need to add water. It seems to get even a little more on the fruitier side after 30 mins in the glass. Its definitely an everyday type dram that is well worth the $60 or so price tag. A solid 4, possible 4.25, either way very good.60.0 USD per Bottle
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