-
Delord Armagnac 25 Year
Distiller Score 95
Bold but not lacking in subtlety, the Delord 25 year Armagnac is a great example of what armagnac should be! The nose is dense and woody with notes of orange, prune, allspice and dried flowers. The palate picks up where the aromatics left off with lush fruit. Flavors of peach, dates, orange, bananas and cherry round things off. This spirit is big, playful, and aromatic and wood pervades everything here in the best way possible.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
-
D'USSÉ VSOP Cognac
Distiller Score 81
The nose is dry, spicy and woody, with lurking layers of sweet, ripe red fruits, and floral honey. Find a smooth palate, with rich notes of caramel and honey, along with cinnamon and more oaky spice. Black pepper, baking spices and more oak all come back on the finish, along with a fainter background note of honey.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
-
Camus VSOP Borderies Cognac (2014 Limited Release)
Distiller Score 89
Aromas of pear and caramel with nuances of cinnamon and vanilla are your first contact with this unique cognac. It comes alive with the first taste, assertive, off-dry and rich with more cinnamon, honey and toasted bread. Finishes long, warm and with a touch of barrel tannins. Overall quite delicious though not very complex.
Reviewed by Kelley Slagle
-
Copper & Kings American Brandy Finished in Peerless Rye Whiskey Barrels
Distiller Score 87
The nose showcases a strong licorice note, with raisins, prunes and peppermint. The palate starts perfumed and floral with chrysanthemum bud and potpourri, and also offers dried apricots, walnuts and dark chocolate. The finish is moderate in length and both spicy, with black pepper, cloves and oak, as well as herbal, with cilantro and coriander. Final notes include a touch of rye alongside bitter burnt lemon peel.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
-
Martell Blue Swift
Distiller Score 87
The first thing to notice when pouring this brandy is its dark color, a result presumably of its time in bourbon barrels. On the first sip, the influence of American oak comes through with sweet notes of vanilla and a little smoke. As this fades, the fruitiness of the brandy comes through. This seems like a brandy designed to appeal to bourbon drinkers, and it combines aspects of both spirits to good effect.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
-
HINE Rare VSOP Cognac
Distiller Score 90
Heavy vanilla and jasmine characterize the nose before leading into light and sweet oaky tones on the palate. The flavors of fig and prune provide subtle tones to the profile before distinct tones of baking spices leave their mark on the finish.
Reviewed by Katrina Niemisto
-
ABK6 XO Family Reserve Cognac
Distiller Score 92
Aromas of spice road cardamom, cinnamon and clove waft out of the glass containing this rich, amber-colored Cognac. Tart, dry fruits (dates, apricot, fig) enter the palate, which has a toffee richness. The long finish is toasty and warming, with a nice hit of rancio at the end.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
-
Rhine Hall Pear Brandy
Distiller Score 88
The first taste of Rhine Hall's pear brandy leaves no doubt one what one is sipping. The flavor of fresh pair, which was lighter on the aroma, comes through unmistakably. The spirit has a slight peppery bite that fades as the sweetness of the fruit comes through. This is a straightforward, enjoyable pear eau-de-vie.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
-
Kinsman Apricot Rakia
Distiller Score 92
Apricots in cream greet the nose--think nostalgic Dreamsicle with apricot replacing the orange. The palate is clean, sharp and scintillating with dried fruit, now more tropical, dominating. A lingering creaminess persists into a finish that's dry and persistent.Good sipped straight yet very versatile in cocktails.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
-
Copper & Kings Cr&ftwerk Oskar Blues
Distiller Score 83
The nose is hoppy, floral and fragrant, with citrus zest, hay, and spicy notes. The palate showcases oak with toffee, and malty sweetness. It's rich upfront, then turns dry on the back palate and finish. Oily. Finish carries through from the nose, with zesty, hoppy and floral notes. Turns bitter and astringent at its close, leaving the tongue tingling and a remaining bitterness. Of the series, the most beer-heavy influence. Ice softens and lightens the profile substantially.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
-
Po' di Poli Elegante Grappa
Distiller Score 91
A great “beginner” grappa that’s not just for beginners. Not to say that it is boring or simplistic because it is far from that. It is however super easy to enjoy and difficult to find fault with. The nose is classic but soft with notes of burnt walnut, tons of dried fruit, grape stems and flowers. The palate is all of the aforementioned with the addition of cedar, dried leather and dried guava. It is everything you could want from a grappa but at 40% abv it steers clear of controversy.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
-
Rhine Hall Plum Brandy
Distiller Score 88
Rhine Hall's Plum Brandy is wonderfully aromatic with a luscious fragrance of stone fruit. That intense plum flavor comes through on the palate as well, along with an electric, tingling bite reminiscent of rowanberry eau-de-vie. An affordable, domestic, well made slivovitz? Yes, please!
Reviewed by Jacob Grier