Tastes
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Sometimes I like to pull out my rums from Barbados to transport me back to beautiful beaches, warm smiles and hospitality. Mount Gay Rum is a point of pride for most Bajans. Their distillery has been operating for over 3 centuries, so they know a thing or two about rum. The Mount Gay XO has a cola-meets-oak spiced nose with a pretty short, dry, clove and black pepper taste. My favorite part is its long, bourbon-like warm finish that makes this spirit better while you continue to drink it. Best on ice. 7.5/10.
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It has been fun discovering/finishing fun bottles on my bar (this is proof that I drink more than whisky - I promise!). Courvoisier may seem like a hip hop video special, but cognac is great for deeper spirit lovers/whisky or rum drinkers too. The V.S. is fairly pedestrian, but the dried fruit/raisin taste and honey-caramel finish is pretty enjoyable. It's much better on ice since this one brings some heat. It doesn't have depth or complexity, but sometimes simplicity is all you need. 5.5/10
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Basil Hayden's is a mild easy go-to drink with a dry herbal, spice and mint flavour profile with a short finish. Its nose smells like sweet oak and caramel, bringing back memories of roasting marshmallows on twigs over a campfire.This may be a considered as a "hipster classic" but it is an approachable bourbon, especially for new or non bourbon drinkers. I have soft spot for their charming packaging too. 7/10
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Kinsip's Wit gin stuck in my mind after a spirit tasting this winter. So much so, that I absolutely needed a bottle of my own to adorn my bar (their design forward label doesn't hurt aesthetically either!). Aside from a steady in and outbound wave of balanced botanicals, what I love most about this gin is the lavender notes that transport you to a beautiful field of flowers on a summer day. This is well crafted enough to drink by itself, but suits cocktails very well. If you're mixology inclined, this will inspire some warm weather bevvies. 8/10.
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Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
Distilled Gin — British Columbia, Canada
Reviewed February 22, 2020 (edited March 11, 2020)This gin is like a piece of art. It looks beautiful and it's fun to talk about. The gorgeous indigo colour is the selling point (from butterfly pea blossom). It has a citrusy nose, but a jarring boozy and brined seaside flavour along with some usual botanicals. 6/10 by itself, but can elevate significantly by being made into an intergalactic looking cocktail. It plays well with citrus, soda and bitters (and turns purple!). -
Auchentoshan 12 Year
Single Malt — Lowlands, Scotland
Reviewed February 19, 2020 (edited March 27, 2020)Auchentoshan 12 is one of those bottles that will forever be on my bar. It's inoffensive to new whisky drinkers and there's never a bad time to enjoy it as a veteran. It is just too easy to sip on any occasion (unless you're hoping for puch-in-the-face peat). The nose of this scotch is herbal with orange and syrup. Aged in bourbon and sherry barrels, this mild dram offers a slight citrusy and toffee flavour cut by oak and whisper of smoke for balance. Auchentoshan 12 has a slightly sour yet dry finish that doesn't overstay its welcome. 8.25/10 -
Lot No. 40 Canadian Rye (2012 Release)
Canadian — Canada
Reviewed February 18, 2020 (edited November 14, 2020)A long day like today earns the reward of savoring the end of Lot 40's 2012 single copper pot still. It's one of my go-to Canadian whisky brands, but this one, oh this one sips so smoothly with its toasted honey, vanilla and malty rye flavours that provide a winter-warming tingle on the tongue. Best enjoyed with a side of jazz in a cozy chair. 8.5/10.
Results 111-117 of 117 Reviews