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Osocalis Rare Alambic Brandy
Distiller Score 91
Osocalis Rare Alambic Brandy is what you get when you take the sensibilities of classic Cognac and add to it the “freedom” of the new world. The nose is quite aromatic with candied orange peel, leather, baking spice, and potpourri. The palate is a whole new ride with honey, dried apricot, golden raisins, burnt sugar and cacao on finish. This is well worth investigating, especially for the hardened Cognac aficionado.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Lepanto O.V. Gran Reserva
Distiller Score 89
Milk chocolate and brown sugar are the scents you'll pick up on the nose along with figs. The brandy is tangy and lively on the palate with marcona almonds and dried fruits. The brandy ends lean, dry, and with a smoky, woody finish.
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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Roger Groult Calvados Reserve 3 Ans
Distiller Score 87
With its moderate price and fairly young age, Roger Groult's 3 year old Calvados is a natural choice for cocktails, but don't let that put one off of sipping it neat. It has the bright, crisp acidity of fresh apple flesh, along with woodsy tannins and just a hint of vanilla. It's a fantastic value for the price, making it an easy addition to any home bar.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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Copper & Kings Floodwall Apple Brandy
Distiller Score 86
The nose showcases mushy apples, brown sugar, oak, and spice with walnuts and prunes coming in the background from those sherry casks. The palate offers spicy oak, with a light rancio and nuttiness, and more of a whiskey vibe, with the apple brandy itself somewhat being lost. Finish starts hot, with notes of fresh apple cider, caramel and smoke. Let it open up after pouring a glass, and it'll be richer, sweeter, and fuller.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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BERTOUX Brandy
Distiller Score 90
This elegant California brandy pours a darkened amber into the snifter. As it warms it reveals dried apricot aromas succumbing to a sustained element of toasted stave. Mid-palate confirms more of the same, with buckwheat honey and a slight Christmas spice dropping in to round out any overpowering sweetness. Rich, yet medium-bodied, it finishes with a final wisp of oak.
Reviewed by Brad Japhe
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Copper & Kings Cr&ftwerk Against the Grain
Distiller Score 87
The nose offers a rich sweetness, backed up by citrus zest, smoke, and spicy oak. The palate showcases malt and dark chocolate, with honey and toffee. It's somewhat oily. Finish is long, smooth and steady. It's the star of the Cr&ftwerk lineup, with the most well-balanced profile and best depth of flavors. Easy drinking, particularly given the proof.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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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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Tariquet Bas-Armagnac VSOP
Distiller Score 85
The aroma for Tariquet Bas-Armagnac VSOP seems more spice-driven than the VS bottling, but also is showing some licorice, leather, and dark fruit. The palate is a bit oily, but lacks a bit of body. the dried fruit and spices seem to be combined such that it displays as one unit, but the alcohol seems somewhat out of balance with the rest of the brandy. That said, the finish is pleasant enough; would seem to be a better way to kick-off the night rather than with to end, especially with some paté and charcuterie.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Cognac Park Fins Bois Single Cru Organic
Distiller Score 88
This organic offering from Park Cognac is bottled without any additives or caramel coloring, resulting in a spirit that is noticeably lighter in color than the rest of the line. It's grape-forward on the nose and spicy on the palate, with green apple and floral notes asserting themselves more prominently than the richer oak flavors one finds in most cognacs. Though it doesn't have the luxurious depth of an older, richer cognac, its bright, fruity character is a welcome change of pace.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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BarSol Supremo Mosto Verde Italia Pisco
Distiller Score 91
Distinctly herbal, resinous notes emerge from brooding, cerebral spirit. Saffron, laurel, and amaretto give way to a sensation of the palate that borders on medicinal, almost suggesting a pomace brandy rather than one made from wine. Texturally cohesive and obviously well-made, but lacking in cheery, vibrant fruit, this is not for Pisco beginners.
Reviewed by Duncan McRoberts
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Marquis de la Fayette VSOP Cognac
Distiller Score 86
The nose offers berries and cream, vanilla, crème brûlée and incense. The palate is rounded and velvety, with overarching floral tones along with orchard fruits and baked apple galettes. In the background there are also faint grass and chili pepper notes. The short finish showcases oak, leather, cinnamon, cardamom, and honeyed fruits.
Reviewed by Jake Emen