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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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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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Pierre Ferrand Ambre Cognac
Distiller Score 89
A fair amount of apricot and pear aromas with some orange peel thrown in for good measure. Mild woody notes appear with just a dash of savory spices and black tea. The cognac continues on the palate with the fruit notes but there's a waxy component as well. The finish is more bittersweet and finishes with a slight almond note.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Zumwohl Kirsch
Distiller Score 91
'Zumwohl' is a toast to good health, but drinkers should be wary of taking this cherry schnaps as a shot. Bottled at a whopping 132 proof, it carries a lot of heat. But it carries a lot of flavor, too: cherries, obviously, but also nutty notes of almond and a notably medicinal taste. It's an intense spirit -- not for the faint of heart! -- and it's sure to be a unique addition to any liquor library.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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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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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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Camus VSOP Elegance Cognac
Distiller Score 90
This accessible cognac offers a melody of baking spices and roasted fruits like poached pears, baked apples, and dried figs. Butterscotch ties them all together. It starts off sweet on the tongue but not overly so, with all the previously mentioned flavors to follow with just the right amount of heat. Smooth from start to finish, the cognac is elegant and very easy to drink. Enjoy after dinner with poached pears or dark chocolate.
Reviewed by Kelley Slagle
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Singani 63
Distiller Score 93
Even from a distance, the fragrance of the aromatic Muscat grape can be hard to miss. For those not acquainted with the grape, you will get a combination of floral and sweet green grapes akin to a dessert wine. The flavor, however is not ultra-sweet, though there is a sweetness that balances nicely with the acidity of the spirit. The finish is floral, herbal, and has a touch of white pepper. The enticing flavors stay with you for quite some time. This can, and usually is, consumed neat, but have some fun and replace your white rum cocktails with it.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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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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Campo de Encanto Barkeep's Whimsy Pisco
Distiller Score 93
Enanto's Barkeep's Whimsy was designed to bring the aromatic torontel grape to the fore. It certainly succeeds on that score; it's an intensely aromatic pisco, with notes of citrus peel and coriander seed. It's very bright on the palate, a touch less sweet than Encanto's standard release, and quite fruity. Bartenders will indeed have fun playing with those aromatic notes in cocktails, where this pisco will be a delight. Barkeep's whimsy is a welcome addition to the pisco landscape in the United States.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier