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St. George Pear Brandy
Distiller Score 90
Yes, St. George Pear Brandy tastes and smells like fresh pears, but that's not the only thing. The nose is earthy and full of frankincense, cut grass, green banana and preserved lemon. The palate is fresh and laced with dried guava, cedar, soil and eucalyptus. It is an excellent example of pear eau de vie and worthy of being one of St. George Spirits' hallmarks.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal Cognac
Distiller Score 90
Rich fruit, oak, and hints of butterscotch are found on the nose with a soft, sweetness on the initial entry to the palate. Notes of dried plum, raisins and caramels start things off. As the spirit moves off the palate, it becomes drier, with white pepper, oak, and some vanilla along with a lightly floral note. The finish is satisfying and generous, with oak, raisin, hazelnut and dark chocolate flavors evident.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Kappa Pisco
Distiller Score 88
The nose is floral and fragrant, with lavender, vanilla, grass, hay, and all types of underlying fruits, such as raspberries, peaches, and apricots. The palate is oily and mouth-coating, with more vanillins, fruits, and floral notes. A touch of heat starts the finish leading into rose water and lychee, with citrus zest and black pepper. A final bitter note is the only knock keeping this from excellence.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Chateau de Montifaud Napoléon Fine Petite Champagne
Distiller Score 92
The nose offers floral notes, with vanilla, plum, raisins, and honey. The palate is smooth, and layered but cohesive, with strands of honeyed fruits, vanillins, and oak. A moderate length finish begins with rich crème brûlée and brown sugar, along with dark red fruits and maple syrup. This is followed by a spicy, oaky side with touches of black pepper comes on at the tail end.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Dutch's Spirits Peach Brandy
Distiller Score 85
This traditional peach brandy will not easily be confused with the more common peach flavored brandy. Aromas of almonds, dried peaches, peach pits and raisins are wrapped in a delicate layer of vanilla, cedar and a hint of nutmeg. On the palate, the flavors are true to the nose with a pleasant heat and the addition of honey, roasted peaches and baking spices. Finishes long and warm with notes of peach and vanilla that linger to the end. Restrained barrel aging allows the base spirit to shine through resulting in a balanced spirit worthy of drinking neat or in a well-crafted cocktail.
Reviewed by Kelley Slagle
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St. George Raspberry Brandy
Distiller Score 93
The nose is quite delicate and alluring with notes of raspberry supported by green apple, grass, frankincense and mild orange peel. The palate is just as delicate but quite encompassing with raspberry, rosewater, lemon verbena and vanilla. It is very rare for something to both be so delicate yet so packed full of flavor.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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La Diablada Puro Moscatel Pisco
Distiller Score 96
There's an elegance found on the nose with rose petals (and the green leaves of the flower) and red fruit. The aroma is nuanced and not in-your-face. The flavors follow suit with a gentle cooked pear and amber honey sweetness. The finish is herbal (think shiso/perilla leaves) and a hint of green olives. This is a stunning pisco and worth the trip to Peru to get.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Domaine d'Espérance Blanche Armagnac
Distiller Score 88
The nose is fruity and quite aromatic starting out with a blast of pear which morphs into lemon zest, sweet pipe tobacco, grass, and gummy candy. The palate is not much different with more gummy candy, pears drenched in honey, ginger, grass and pineapple. In all the Blanche Armagnac is fresh and fruity with a chewy mouth feel this would make a great cocktail base but could also be great chilled as an aperitif.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Martell VS Single Distillery
Distiller Score 87
A rich fruitiness shows on the nose highlighted by raspberries along with herbal and grassy notes which work together for a somewhat vermouth-like aroma. An oily palate at first shows more fruits, here with canned fruit syrup, tart cherries, raspberries and blackberries, as well as chocolate and nuttiness. Finish is short and smooth with oak and spice taking their turn in front of that distinct raspberry note.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Pisco 100 Acholado
Distiller Score 87
Rustic and full of character, this is all about the earthy, resinous side of Pisco. Pine needles, cedar-closet-planks, and some faint gasoline aromas, almost suggest a funky aromatic grappa, if not for the signature dried apricot and sultana raisins on the palate.
Reviewed by Duncan McRoberts
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Tariquet Bas-Armagnac Blanche Armagnac
Distiller Score 87
The aroma is of herbaceous fruit, but rather than fresh, bright green notes, it leans towards dark and brooding. It is clean and pleasant, with some toasted sugar notes as well. Green grapes and tart apples turn up on the palate and the spirit feels round, not sharp in your mouth. It is warming and just a little sweet with the roundness making this easier to drink than you might imagine. Try this instead of wine for a cheese course as the acidity, the touch of sweetness, and the fruity flavors make this a nice alternative.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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BarSol Acholado Pisco
Distiller Score 89
The bouquet of orange blossoms, fresh strawberries, jasmine, and candied citrus peel is difficult to resist, making one wonder whether one is smelling a brandy or some novel recipe of Turkish delight. But this is indeed a spirit, and quite a pretty one; the palate continues our journey through the confectioners' flavor basket, rounding out the finish with dashes of oolong tea, aniseed, and candied violet.
Reviewed by Duncan McRoberts