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Reviews for 2019

January 2019 - Best Buy Bar

January 2019 - Best Buy Bar
This month's Spirits feature is Best Buy Bar

Best Buy Bar Reviews

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Don Q 151 Rum
93 points
$21.99
Best Buy
Don Q
151 Rum
Gold color. Aromas of crispy wafer cookies,molasses, caramel flan, cedar, and clove with a velvety, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a peppery, complex, long marshmallow, roasted peanuts, coriander, and chocolate gelato finish. A delicious overproof rum that will add complexity and spice to a range of tiki cocktails.
Awards: 2018 Best Buy Bar - Best Value Overproof Rum
93 points $21.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Ballotin Bourbon Ball Whiskey
92 points
$24.99
Ballotin
Bourbon Ball Whiskey
Amber color. Sweet, nutty aromas of pecan pie, peanut crisp, cocoa powder, and caramel with a velvety, crisp, sweet medium body and a smooth, amusing, medium-length peanut butter and jelly panini and honey finish. A liqueur-like flavored whiskey with fantastic notes of roasted nuts and toast; try in a boozy milkshake.
Awards: 2018 Best Buy Bar - Best Value Flavored Whiskey
92 points $24.99
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Date Tasted:
Laird’s Straight Applejack 86 Brandy
92 points
$25
Laird’s
Straight Applejack 86 Brandy
Golden amber color. Aromas of heirloom apples, hibiscus, sweet cherry, and nougat with a round, vibrant, fruity medium body and a warming, involved, long honey on crepes and peach preserve finish. An upstanding apple brandy with layers of flavor that evolve on the palate.
Awards: 2018 Best Buy Bar - Best Value Fruit Brandy
92 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Journeyman Distillery Old Country Goodness Apple Cider Liqueur
91 points
$13.99
Best Buy
Journeyman Distillery
Old Country Goodness Apple Cider Liqueur
Hazy gold color. Aromas and flavors of apple pie, pumpkin spice, cinnamon roll, and limoncello with a satiny, lively, moderately sweet light-to-medium body and a smooth, refreshing, medium-length finish revealing shades of sour apple candies finish. A liqueur that drinks like a desert cider; sip on its own, ice cold.
Awards: 2018 Best Buy Bar - Best Value Pommeau
91 points $13.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Loma Azul Gran Reserva Blanco Tequila
91 points
$25
Loma Azul
Gran Reserva Blanco Tequila
Clear color. Aromas of apple, fresh agave, and terra cotta with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, amusing, medium-length ripe pineapple, sea salt, grapefruit candy, sour sop, bergamot, and roasted plantain finish. A concentrated, vividly fruity blanco tequila that is a pleasure to drink on its own; will create vibrantly fruity cocktails.
Awards: 2018 Best Buy Bar - Best Value Blanco Tequila
91 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Big 5 Coconut Rum
90 points
$19.99
Best Buy
Big 5
Coconut Rum
Clear color. Aromas and flavors of toasted coconut, powdered sugar, and honeydew melon with a satiny, crisp, fruity light body and a graceful, snappy finish that shows notes of fresh coconut, coconut water, and spritz of lime finish. A restrained and pleasantly dry coconut rum that is just the thing for daiquiri bliss.
Awards: 2018 Best Buy Bar - Best Value Flavored Rum
90 points $19.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Don Q Añejo Rum
90 points
$21.99
Best Buy
Don Q
Añejo Rum
Gold color. Sweet aromas of maple, vanilla-honey, beignets, and Belgian waffle with a satiny, crisp, dry light-to-medium body and a tingling, charming, medium-long cherry stone, dark chocolate, cola, toffee, and dates finish. A satisfying and flavor-packed aged rum that will be a nice go-to for tropical drinks.
Awards: 2018 Best Buy Bar - Best Value Dark Rum
90 points $21.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Ballotin Caramel Turtle Whiskey
90 points
$24.99
Ballotin
Caramel Turtle Whiskey
Amber color. Aromas of waffle crisp, milk and honey, French toast, and fresh baked cookies with a satiny, vibrant, sweet medium body and a silky, compelling, medium-length real maple syrup finish. Vivid notes of crispy waffles make this a fun brunchtime shooter or cocktail modifier.
90 points $24.99
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Date Tasted:
Ballotin Chocolate Mint Whiskey
90 points
$24.99
Ballotin
Chocolate Mint Whiskey
Amber color. Aromas of spearmint, caramel, iced tea with honey, cardamom, and clove with a velvety, crisp, fruity medium body and a smooth, engaging, medium-length peppermint creme, dark chocolate coating, and spiced orange finish. A fun, spiced whiskey with lots a cool-weather applications.
90 points $24.99
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Date Tasted:
Belle Chasse Vodka
89 points
$14.99
Best Buy
Belle Chasse
Vodka
Clear color. Aromas of creme, white florals, spicy rye, and peppercorns with a supple, bright, dryish light body and a smooth, relaxed water crackers, Neufchâtel, white pepper, and sea salt finish. A spicy and nuanced vodka with lots of serving possibilities.
Awards: 2018 Best Buy Bar - Best Value Unflavored Vodka
89 points $14.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
ALOO Gin
89 points
$17.58
Best Buy
ALOO
Gin
Clear color. Aromas of grapefruit, turmeric, sage, and coastal cypress with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and a tingling, appealing, medium-length orris root and cinnamon mints finish. An attractive gin that strikes a nice balance between fresh, floral, and earthy.
Awards: 2018 Best Buy Bar - Best Value Gin
89 points $17.58 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Ron Malteco 5 Anos Dark Rum
89 points
$19.90
Best Buy
Ron Malteco
5 Anos Dark Rum
Amber color. Sweet aromas of praline, hazelnut creme, baking spices, and maple with a satiny, crisp, fruity medium body and a graceful, breezy honey-vanilla icing, gingerbread, orange marmalade, and sassafras finish. A sweet rum that will deliver toasty goodness in a variety of cool-weather cocktails.
89 points $19.90 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Ballotin Chocolate Whiskey
89 points
$24.99
Ballotin
Chocolate Whiskey
Reddish mahogany color. Aromas and flavors of tootsie roll, chocolate covered cherry, black forest cake, and walnut frosting with a syrupy, crisp, sweet medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-length finish. A rich and velvety chocolate-cherry whisky that will be a hit.
89 points $24.99
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Date Tasted:
Henderson American Whiskey
88 points
$11.99
Best Buy
Henderson
American Whiskey
Golden amber color. Aromas of moist banana muffins, vanilla candied walnut, and buckwheat pancake with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a peppery, medium-length caramel sauce, steamed milk, and black licorice finish. A solid blended whiskey with lots of soft fruit notes; youthful.
Awards: 2018 Best Buy Bar - Best Value American Blended Whiskey
88 points $11.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Boardroom Spirits Boardroom Vodka
88 points
$19.99
Best Buy
Boardroom Spirits
Boardroom Vodka
Clear color. Citrusy aromas of tangerine and chalk with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry light-to-medium body and a warming, appealing, medium-length dried lemon finish. A vibrant, citrus-centric vodka that will be a hit in citrus-forward cocktails.
88 points $19.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Mount Gay Eclipse Rum
88 points
$19.99
Best Buy
Mount Gay
Eclipse Rum
Gold color. Aromas of pineapple upside down cake, orange marmalade, apple-cinnamon pastry, and butterscotch pudding with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-length toasted coconut layer bar, caramel coated almonds, and baklava finish. A tasty gold rum with plenty of punch-friendly flavors.
88 points $19.99 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Heritage Distilling Co. Brown Sugar Bourbon Whiskey
88 points
$21.99
Heritage Distilling Co.
Brown Sugar Bourbon Whiskey
Dull gold color. Spicy aromas and flavors of cinnamon raisin swirl toast, apple compote, walnut confection, and honey with a satiny, crisp, sweet light-to-medium body and a tingling, breezy finish revealing notes of shortbread, custard, and cardamom-caramel finish. A sweet cinnamon whiskey to add to toasty cool-weather cocktails.
88 points $21.99
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Date Tasted:
American Harvest Organic Vodka
88 points
$23.99
American Harvest
Organic Vodka
Clear color. Aromas of sourdough, gravel, and wheat grass with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light body and a graceful, quick icing and quartz finish. A mineral-forward vodka for spring cocktails.
88 points $23.99
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Date Tasted:
Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Scotch Whisky
88 points
$25
Johnnie Walker
Red Label Blended Scotch Whisky
Gold color. Aromas of poached pear, honey, sticky toffee pudding, heather, spun sugar, and bay with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, delightful, medium-long grilled bell pepper, smoked peach, crispy brownies, and aniseed finish. A rich and satisfying blended scotch with a stealthy lining of peat.
Awards: 2018 Best Buy Bar - Best Value Blended Scotch
88 points $25
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Date Tasted:
ALOO Vodka
86 points
$13.43
Best Buy
ALOO
Vodka
Clear color. Aromas of meringue cookie, baked Alaska, and sourdough with a velvety, crisp, dryish light body and a seamless, medium-length pink peppercorn, condensed milk, and potato finish. A mild and creamy vodka with a hint of peppery zing.
86 points $13.43 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Roofraiser Vodka
86 points
$19.99
Roofraiser
Vodka
Clear color. Aromas of butterscotch and steamed milk with a creamy, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, medium-length flan and lemon zest finish. A creamy and confected vodka for sweet cocktails.
86 points $19.99
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Date Tasted:
Nue Grapefruit Vodka
85 points
$11.99
Nue
Grapefruit Vodka
Clear color. Citrusy, curious aromas and flavors of grapefruit zest, cannabis, cured olives, and green peppercorn with a glycerous, crisp, fruity sweet light-to-medium body and a tingling, medium-length finish. An herbaceous grapefruit vodka that will appeal to sauvignon blanc lovers.
85 points $11.99
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Date Tasted:
Don Q Coco Rum
85 points
$13.99
Don Q
Coco Rum
Pale slivery straw color. Candied aromas and flavors of shaved coconut, buttercream, nougat, and bell pepper with a silky, crisp, sweet medium body and a polished, medium-length finish with accents of coconut candy and vanilla sugar finish. A tropical breeze of a rum that will transport you to the beach.
85 points $13.99
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Date Tasted:
Caliche White Rum
85 points
$21.99
Caliche
White Rum
Clear color. Fruity aromas and flavors of pineapple preserves, sweet pickled watermelon rind, pastry, and coconut shell with a soft, dry light body and a tingling, brisk finish. A dry, Cuban style white rum that offers a mild and clean cocktail mixer.
85 points $21.99
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Date Tasted:
Jacquin’s Vodka Royale
84 points
$9.99
Jacquin’s
Vodka Royale
Clear color. Aromas of butter, floracraft, peppermint, and flour with a silky, crisp, dryish light body and a polished, brisk minerals finish. A canvas for cocktail creation.
84 points $9.99
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Date Tasted:
Nue Vodka
84 points
$11.99
Nue
Vodka
Clear color. Aromas of river stones, wool, and brine with a satiny, vibrant, dry light body and a tingling, brisk grapefruit pith, brittle, and green peppercorn finish. A neutral canvas for cocktail creation.
84 points $11.99
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Date Tasted:
Stein Distillery Seven Devils Bourbon Barrel Aged Rum
84 points
$25
Stein Distillery
Seven Devils Bourbon Barrel Aged Rum
Gold color. Spicy aromas of black tea, spiced orange, bay leaf, and licorice with a silky, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, breezy vanilla soft serve, candied banana and marzipan finish. A lighter-bodied dark rum peppered with soft fruit.
84 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Big 5 Gold Rum
83 points
$19.99
Big 5
Gold Rum
Gold color. Aromas of grilled apple, dogwood, ripe kiwi, and black pepper with a coarse, crisp, dry medium body and a brisk cassis, vanilla milk, and nut shells finish. A wholly mixable rum for carefree cocktails.
83 points $19.99
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Date Tasted:
Crater Lake Rock & Rye RTD
83 points
$19.99
Crater Lake
Rock & Rye RTD
Golden amber color. Aromas of wood shavings, Saigon cinnamon, and orange candies with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a warming, fast cocktail bitters, lemon balm, caramel, dried fruit, and roasted nuts finish. A woody cocktail for anytime happy hour.
83 points $19.99
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Date Tasted:
Big 5 Silver Rum
82 points
$19.99
Big 5
Silver Rum
Clear color. Aromas of underripe pineapple, clay, and green peppercorn with a soft, bone-dry light body and a tingling, brisk yellow tomato and sand finish. A neutral rum for mixed drinks.
82 points $19.99
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Date Tasted:
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