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Spirit Works Sloe Gin
Distiller Score 92
If one has only had occasion to try cheap, artificially flavored sloe gins, the appeal of the spirit may be hard to comprehend. True sloe gin is in another class altogether. Spirit Works infuses real sloe fruit into their gin to give it a plummy, berry flavor. It's sweet without being cloying, and balances its fruit notes with gin botanicals and lively citrus peel. It's good enough to enjoy straight as a cordial, but would of course also do well in a classic Sloe Gin Fizz or in any cocktail that would benefit from a subtle addition of fruit.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
Distiller Score 92
Clear and bright, this cherry-flavored liqueur has an aroma more reminiscent of an eau de vie than a liqueur. On the palate, however, its texture is creamy and viscous. Its flavor is sugary up front, with an underlying heat, and a vibrant cherry flavor that shines through. While it might prove a bit too thick and sweet to drink on its own, it's obvious why this liqueur plays an essential supporting role in classic cocktails like the Last Word and Aviation.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Cointreau
Distiller Score 90
Cointreau is clear in both clarity and its intense orange aroma. It is full bodied and is sweet on the palate with a strong orange flavor. The alcohol strength helps to keep the orange liqueur from being cloying but the raw spirit peaks out at times. Very mild spices like cinnamon and nutmeg appear. Will add bright orange flavor to any mixed drink.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Green Hat Summer Cup
Distiller Score 83
Initially one notices that this a more amber/toffee colored beverage than the deep, dark-toned Pimm’s. The aromatics are also much more floral-driven with hints of blooming yellow flowers, earl grey tea, fresh lemon peel, and cardamom. Surprisingly, juniper only shows up a whisper. The palate has great concentration helped by it’s higher alcohol level compared to the industry standard. There is certainly a sweetness, but it is balanced and very pleasantly eases into a glass of ginger ale.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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6 O'Clock Damson Gin
Distiller Score 91
The fruit really comes through here with jammy aromas and flavors that have a balanced acidity. Warm textures of vanilla and sweet spices play off the natural tannins of the fruit, with a slight wintergreen flavor coming from the gin. Overall, very balanced and easy to sip, preferably in a spritz or with tonic.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Chambord Liqueur
Distiller Score 90
Chambord's reddish amber hue is about what you'd expect from something flavored with raspberries and blackberries. On the nose, its concentrated berry aroma is reminiscent of fruit leather. Its flavor, however, is more muted: It's slightly sweet, with a touch of black cherry lingering beneath berry-vanilla notes. It would add a nice fruity sweetness to cocktails, or even compliment chocolate flavors well.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Hayman's Sloe Gin
Distiller Score 94
There's a bright plummy aroma on the nose; the botanicals present give the sloe gin depth, but don't themselves stand out. This is a really balanced sloe gin and as such, isn't sticky sweet or one dimensional. When adding to cocktails, keep this in mind. It is lovely, fruity, and just the right amount of tart. A Sloe Gin Fizz is an obvious choice, but this can be used by adding to some lemonade or, even better, in some Champagne.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Casa D'Aristi Kalani Coconut Rum Liqueur
Distiller Score 87
Unmistakably coconut on the nose, Kalani also has the distinct sugar-flecked aroma of white rum. On the palate, it’s got some heat up front thanks to the base spirit, but that quickly dissipates into an almost aggressively sweet, sugary flavor with prominent flavors of fresh coconut and a touch of almond and vanilla.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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6 O'Clock Sloe Gin
Distiller Score 84
There's a pleasant amount of tartness and fresh berry flavor. A swath of tannic earthiness akin to a wine enters the midpalate, though not much sweetness in the finish, which has some evergreen notes. This version may please those looking for a less sweet - less liqueur-like - option. The finish is quite clean. It would be good to sip alone with some tonic or added to a Negroni or even a Manhattan to add some depth of flavor to the drink.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Boodles Mulberry Gin
Distiller Score 82
The aroma is bright and tart with mulberry flavors. The taste follows suit with a sweet and sour berry flavor. Not much spice going on here (maybe cloves or cinnamon?), but there's a little juniper bite on the finish. Simple and easy breezy to drink. Lovely just served on its own with club soda on ice, but feel free to utilize in either summer or winter drinks.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Hochstadter's Slow & Low 100 Proof Rock & Rye
Distiller Score 85
Candied oranges and orange peels jump out on the nose, with a zesty spiciness behind it. Take a sip and notice a lightly syrupy mouthfeel. The Angostura-style bitters come to the forefront initially, followed by more orange citrus, baking spices, rye spice, and orange zest. More candied citrus carries through to the finish where a lingering sweetness remains. Hard to distinguish much of the qualities of the whiskey itself, but it's an easy-sipping semi-prebuilt cocktail.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Reilly's Rock & Rye Ginger Whiskey
Distiller Score 84
The sharp spiciness of the ginger mingles with the inherent baking spice notes of the rye with a hint of cardamom. While it does run on the sweet side, a tart fruit element keeps it from hitting the cloying mark. Ideal added to a little chilled seltzer or club soda with a squeeze of lime.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster