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Reviews for 2023

December 2023 - Luxury Spirits

December 2023 - Luxury Spirits
This month's Spirits feature is Luxury Spirits

Luxury Spirits Reviews

Tears Of Llorona Scotch Sherry And Cognac Barrel-Aged Extra Añejo Tequila
98 points
$272
A luxuriously aged example of agave that retains the base spirit and exemplifies the cask management that puts this in the pantheon of other finally aged spirits.
Bowmore 18 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
97 points
A soap opera in a glass, equal parts high drama and mouthwatering satisfaction; an endearing and top notch Islay malt with fabulous integration and balance.
Highland Park 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
96 points
Like sweet honeyed fruits over an open flame wood fire used to top a fig infused sticky toffee pudding; fecking figs that is delicious.
Nykur Limited Edition Super Premium Organic Jaegerkorpset Vodka
96 points
$60
Almost complete nothingness with a rounded texture and just a whisper of something pleasing that brings you back for another sip.
Monkey 47 13th Edition Distillers Cut Schwarzwald Dry Gin
96 points
$79
A real velvet hammer that holds the proof well and then explodes in a never ending bouquet of fruits and flowers; how it borders on leaning a tad too sweet but doesn't fall off the rails as it maintains balance with some savory and bitter components in the background is no less than spectacular.
Kuleana Rum Works Hokulei Aged Rum Batch No. 16
96 points
$80
Barrel-aged Rum deliciousness with fresh cane flavor still lingering; this might be the pinnacle of terroir in Rum.
The Dalmore 18 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
96 points
$250
There is some serious age here as well as some delightful wine casks; complex and satisfying, this is an excellent cigar Scotch for someone who wants to pair a lighter wrap cigar with something less smoky but that still carries some weight.
Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
95 points
A careful and complex almost fruit-like distillate with intense spiced pear notes; warming and utterly delicious.
Centella Ensamble 4 Variedades Artesanal Joven Blanco Mezcal Batch No. EE-01
95 points
$149
Alluring and seductive with smoky notes that lift and elevate all the other flavors on the palate; take a savory, flaky pastry, add cream cheese and fresh fruit... now make it Mezcal.
Maker’s Mark Limited Edition 11 & 12 Year Old Cellar Aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
95 points
$149
An iron fist in a velvet glove; this is big and powerful in its proof while having sweet, complex, and delicate flavors and aromas.
Jefferson’s Marian McLain Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch No. 3
95 points
$300
Incredibly complex with excellent spice, this tastes like a mix of Bourbon ages that are very well balanced and firing on all cylinders.
Glenfiddich 18 Year Old Small Batch Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky
94 points
A classic and delicious Speyside malt that should please any Scotch drinker, from casual sipper to connoisseur.
Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt Whisky Batch No. 1475
94 points
$79
Spiced tropical fruits with a warm and honeyed sweetness make this a natural pairing with a spicy, sweet, medium bodied cigar; like a Carmen Miranda headdress in your glass.
Centella Espadín Artesanal Joven Blanco Mezcal Batch No. 4E-01
94 points
$119
Swirls of smoke and sweet and spice dance around the palate; bold yet inviting, this wonderful sipper craves further exploration.
Kiss Monstrum Grand Reserve 14 Year Aged Rum
94 points
$174
A delightfully complex and well aged sipping Rum with all the great sweet notes you expect out of Rum but without overdoing it.
The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
94 points
$190
Rich wine casks and excellent age are required for a Single Malt of this depth, complexity, and quality; a special dram to be savored with friends.
Tres Generaciones 50th Anniversary Legacy Edition Añejo Tequila Vol. 03
94 points
$199
The barrel flavors are very present but at no time over powering the agave flavor, rather they are complementing and changing the savory flavors underneath.
El Bandido Yankee Tequila Company Añejo Tequila
93 points
$64
An Añejo Tequila with very broad appeal; extremely light in body and very easy drinking for something with a bit of age on it.
Rampur Sangam World Malt Indian Whisky Batch No. 504
93 points
$69
A great introduction to Indian Whisky that would entice the lifelong Scotch or Bourbon drinker to join the world Whisky club.
Rampur Asava Cabernet Sauvignon and Bourbon Barrel-Aged Indian Single Malt Whisky Batch No. 1348
92 points
$89
Savory and spicy up front with complex fruit and nut flavors dancing on the palate.
Ancla Blanco Tequila Batch No. 01
92 points
$110
A pleasant and inviting nose leads into a soft, sweet palate; an excellent sipper with layers of flavor that entice you to keep on sipping.
Chicken Cock Red Stave Petite Sirah Barrel-Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey Third Edition
92 points
$199
A big and bold Bourbon with a tasty red fruit backbone.
Whiskey Jypsi Legacy Batch No. 001 Blended Bourbon-Rye Whisky
92 points
$199
Very tasty, spicy, and sweet; big and aggressively bold.
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