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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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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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Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao
Distiller Score 96
A citrus smorgasbord with clementines, orange peel and pith, and grapefruit zest, as well as toffee, and grape jelly. The palate showcases zesty oranges with vanilla bean, along with touches of herbaceousness and spice. The finish is warming with bitter orange, tingly black pepper, and tannic black tea. A triple sec that's close to perfection.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
Distiller Score 94
Aggressively elderflower and floral on the nose, with grapefruit, grape spirit, and in the background, a surprising touch of coffee grounds. The palate showcases grape jelly, rose water, lychee, apricots, honey, and key lime pie. A short finish breezes past with dreams of fragrant dewy mornings.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Amaro Montenegro
Distiller Score 96
Deep amber color. The aroma has bright citrus notes with underlying spices of cinnamon and cardamom which is very inviting. The palate is medium rich and medium sweet. There's a slight floral backnote to the spirit. The bitter intensity is on the low side making this an exceedingly approachable amaro to start with. But there's a complexity to the spirit as well making it a dynamic modifier for cocktails as well. Every home bar should have a bottle of Monte.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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Licor 43
Distiller Score 90
Yellow-golden in hue, this liqueur has a sharp, spiritous aroma that's underscored by a touch of sugar. It's much softer on the palate, however, with an extremely creamy texture and notes of brown sugar, a medley of spices, and sweet vanilla. This would be especially good mixed with brandy or poured over ice to be savored.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Averna Amaro
Distiller Score 92
With a rich hue akin to cola with a similarly bitter and syrupy aroma, this amaro hints at roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate covered orange peel. The palate is well-rounded with chocolaty notes that lead into a tingle of cozy spices, and finishes with a lingering bite of bitter herb and molasses cookie. A good option to add depth to cocktails, to sip on its own, or simply mixed with soda water for a touch of texture and vibrancy.
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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Plymouth Sloe Gin
Distiller Score 88
An intense berry note is found on the nose along with a slight spiced aroma. Hard to discern exactly what spices but thoughts of mulled wine come to mind, although in a low intensity. The taste is moderately sweet with enough tartness to make it pop. Not uber complex, but it gets the job done. All about the berries, or plums in this case. Have on the rocks with some selzer or go all out and have with Champagne.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Amaro Nonino Quintessentia
Distiller Score 90
The nose is reminiscent of roasted chestnuts, cappucino, orange zest and strawberries. This amaro is on the less bitter side of the spectrum, with notes of milk chocolate, orange, fennel, coffee, prunes, dates, subtle florals, and sandalwood. The slight bitterness comes in toward the finish, but is offset by fruits and spice, making this liqueur quite versatile to easily sip neat or use in a variety of cocktails.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
Distiller Score 86
Bright citrus opens on the nose, with just-expressed grapefruit peel, bergamot, Lemon Pledge, and floral potpourri. The palate is oily and zesty, with sugar-covered chewy orange and lemon gummy wedges, citrus simple syrup, lavender and rose, and just a touch of bitter. A liqueur begging for a well-made cocktail, the only issue is it veers syrupy sweet on the palate.
Reviewed by Jake Emen