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Harvest Spirits Cornelius Cherry Brandy
Distiller Score 86
The Bing cherry influence can not be overemphasized, and the spirit shows a spectrum of the fruit’s flavors from the acidic crunch of the skins to the earthy, hazelnut and dark chocolate character of the pits. Unfortunately the cherry’s intensity hijacks some of the apple base that Harvest Spirits does so well. By all means, cherry lovers should rejoice and one would be hard pressed to find a more intense cherry experience.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Bonollo Grappa OF Amarone Barrique
Distiller Score 88
The dense, golden color of this grappa is a good hint to its rich and decadent character. Some of the spirit’s initial earthy flavors are there, but more present is the plush influence of oak which shows as vanilla and toasted saw dust. The time in wood has also unlocked more rich fruit flavors such as roasted fig, golden raisins, and apple crumb cake. Perhaps a bit heavy on the barrel flavors for people looking for an invigorating end to a meal, but for those who want something with a bit more pizzaz, this is a knockout.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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Reisetbauer Carrot Eau-de-Vie
Distiller Score 96
Raw carrots, roasted carrots, steamed carrots--all of these aromas and tastes come to mind upon encountering this spirit. You'll find this "carrot-ness" rounded out by fennel greens, hops, and burnt walnuts. The palate is a bit more decadent with flavors of caramel, clotted cream, vanilla, and deep-roasted carrot drizzled with honey and hazelnuts (though, of course, the spirit is not sweet). This is a truly fascinating product that is worth your attention.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Copper & Kings Blue Sky Mining Brandy
Distiller Score 90
Tropical fruits lead on the nose with melons and papaya. There's also grape jelly, rose water, raspberries and blackberries, and blooming flowers. The palate is rich and fruity, with more of those wine and jammy notes, and the oak making its presence felt with a drier, spicier background. A long, smooth finish shows some heat, with notes of bubblegum, more tropical fruit, and bits of pepper, spice, and oak.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Shakmat Armenian Brandy 23 Year
Distiller Score 87
This 23 year old Armenian brandy is an intriguing offering, with aromas of raisin and a palate that brings to mind PX sherry or botrytized wine. An upfront sweetness gives way to notes of vanilla, date, and almond. Approachable yet complex, it would make an enjoyable after dinner pour or likely pair wonderfully with a cheese course.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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Clear Creek Douglas Fir Brandy
Distiller Score 90
Because a maceration is done after distillation, expect to see a little sediment in the bottle. As advertised, the aroma of Clear Creek Douglas Fir Brandy is full of pine and has you thinking of a winter wonderland. The fruit in the brandy is a nice foil to help balance the herbal and woody notes. There's a nice mint taste to the finish. If you are a gin or absinthe drinker, make sure to give this a try. Bottled at 94 proof, it does finish a little hot.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Black Bottle XO Brandy
Distiller Score 84
The nose is wooded, with tart nuts, port and coca moving through. The nose is stilled for a while before moving into fresh eucalyptus, nutmeg and cinnamon, a gradual change that eases the body and is welcomed. On the palate, we return to the port, with cocoa turning to chocolate and the wood returning. After a while, its moves into Muscat territory, with tarting fruits following with a small puckering mouth feel, with the finish following suit but bringing the nutty characteristics forward one last time.
Reviewed by Marcus Parmenter
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Germain-Robin XO Brandy
Distiller Score 86
The nose offers clover honey, raspberries, butterscotch, and handfuls of dewy, blooming flowers. The palate showcases tart, fresh cherries and vanilla, combining similarly to black cherry vanilla ice cream, along with potpourri, coffee grounds, pralines, and caramel. The finish is moderate in length, with tannic oak, cinnamon, and dried fruits.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Berta Acquae Vitae 20 Anni
Distiller Score 93
The nose is pretty typical of well-aged grape brandies though resembling those of southern Europe more than the famed brandies of Cognac or Armagnac. The nose starts off dense and slightly startling. Milk chocolate, orange peel, cherry, Turbinado sugar and flan punch you in the nostrils. The palate shows more fruit in the form of dates and ripe mango with dried flowers and unrefined sugar taking backseats. The texture is quite silky and gets a little chewy toward the finish. Fairly complex but profoundly delicious.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Harris Organic Brandy
Distiller Score 88
The nose starts slow with small, subtle earth and mineral notes, hints of sugary worked leather becoming sweeter after given breathing room Slightly toasted and roasted, the nose turns slightly peppery towards the end. The palate moves more into the roasted, woody and nutty regions, rich caramels coming from the sugar we saw on the nose, and in the first stage of rancio, advanced for such a young brandy. The nuts intensify over time and add oils, gradually breaking down and becoming a nutty cocoa blend. The finish is long and smooth, running through the mouth and settling the tongue with small fruits and spices calming it towards the end.
Reviewed by Marcus Parmenter
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Rhine Hall Oak Aged Apple Brandy
Distiller Score 87
Rhine Hall's Oak Aged Apple Brandy gives their unaged brandy the barrel ageing treatment, putting it into a mix of toasted and charred new oak barrels. This leaves plenty of space for apple notes to come through on the aroma and taste, while layering on notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and wood tannin. It would make a seasonally appropriate winter drink, and the American oak influence makes it an easy crossover for bourbon fans.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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Navazos-Palazzi Montilla Old Brandy Single Cask (Bottled August 2013)
Distiller Score 98
Upon first glance, you know you're not in Kansas anymore. The color is as dark as a cup of coffee. You are then bombarded by an array of aromas ranging from green beans, coffee, chocolate-covered raisins, and old leather. There’s a touch of gasoline found as well. The palate continues much of the same as the aroma with an emphasis on sweet, rich flavors, dried fruits, and nuts. This brandy is rustic and dirty but in the most alluring way possible and the acidity is shockingly fresh and balanced, particularly for a brandy of this age. If you can find a bottle, do yourself a favor and treat yourself.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat