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Reviews for 2024

November 2024 - Luxury Spirits

November 2024 - Luxury Spirits
This month's Spirits feature is Luxury Spirits

Luxury Spirits Reviews

The Dalmore Select Edition Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
97 points
$499
An especially lovely dram with what seems like a near perfect balance of French wine cask and American oak influence; a Winter dram to appreciate while chilling on a blood red leather chair, devouring the works of Poe, and listening to a little too much Type O Negative.
Highland Park 25 Year Old Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky
97 points
$1000
Make sure an empty bottle of this is on the funeral pyre as everyone in attendance should be sipping this dram; would wear as a cologne and would drink the whole bottle.
97 points $1000
Siempre Exclusivo Edicion Especial Vivo Blanco Tequila  Batch 01
96 points
$119
With great depth of flavor and a little funk, this is a Tequila headed in the direction of Blanco Mezcal; not all those who wander are lost.
The Dalmore King Alexander III Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
96 points
$349
Waves of fudge, caramel, and chocolate on the nose with beautiful complex spices and dried red fruits on the palate; an utterly delightful after dinner dram that will only be enhanced with a cigar.
Tequila General Gorostieta
95 points
$85
Delicious and complex with a beautiful roundness to the nose and palate and while overproof it holds the ABV very well.
Old Fitzgerald 13 Year Old VVS 2024 25th Anniversary Edition Bottled In Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
95 points
$229
The rare Bourbon that does all of the normal things and then hits another gear to become deeply complex as well as inviting; sit with this for an hour or two as it continues to unfurl.
Rampur Sangam World Malt Indian Whisky Batch No. 504
94 points
$69
Youthful but complex, and certainly giving homage to the great Whiskey distillers of Scotland while adding its own unique twist; wonderful as a sipper and bold enough to pair with mild to medium cigars.
The Dalmore Select Edition Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
94 points
$199
Beautiful and complex on the nose as well as the palate, with just a slight burn on the finish; tons of flavors wrapped together that slowly unfold as you keep diving back into this stunning spirit.
Proof And Wood Blame Canada! 22 Year Old Canadian Rye Whiskey Barrel No. 1
94 points
$200
Slap on your finest Canadian tuxedo, call the local Mounty, and tuck into this delightful Whisky; complex and spicy with some depth of flavors from age, you will want some water with this one, eh?
Ron Carúpano 25 Year Old Legendario Single Barrel Rum
94 points
$600
A lovely sipper with delicate complexity and some real age; contemplative and joyful and dripping with dessert notes but without an overwhelmingly sugary palate.
Amrut Bella Single Jaggery Rum Batch No. 03
93 points
$85
Light and crisp with a fruity and almost honeyed grain character; a lovely dry Rum that will have crossover appeal with Single Malt drinkers.
Laird’s 12 Year Old Rare Apple Brandy Batch No. 24
93 points
$129
The baked orchard fruit with all of the coconut and vanilla and then light baking spices is delicious and redolent in the air, tingling the nostrils in the most pleasant of ways.
Amrut Intermediate Sherry Indian Single Malt Whisky Batch No. 09
93 points
$155
For those that love bold and over proof sherry bombs; rich, leathery, and fruity notes that eventually fold into expressive and unique flavors with tons of depth and distinction.
Perro Verde Mezcal Small Batch Tobasiche Blanco Mezcal Lote: PVTB/2401
93 points
$350
Herbaceous and floral and a must taste in the study of agave; it has this fascinating quality where it starts to evaporate in your mouth, like you are feeling the rain cycle on your palate.
Botran Roaju Ron De Guatemala Aged Fresh Cane Juice Rum
92 points
$50
A very pretty Rum with a hint of earthy complexity and a lovely lingering caramel sweetness; smooth with just the faintest bit of funk.
Glenglassaugh 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
92 points
$65
The sherry influence is evident without having to spell it out as a clear sherry-aged Whisky; just pretty and easily enjoyed by anyone that likes Scotch.
Perro Verde Mezcal Espadin Blanco Mezcal Lote: PVCS/2401
92 points
$75
Complex and earthy with a nice fruity flavor and an approachable ABV for those curious to learn more about Mezcal.
Joshua Tree Distilling Single Estate Maguey Tobalá Blanco Agave Spirit
92 points
$79
Rich and funky on the nose with a smooth and rounded texture, some rich fruit flavors, and an earthy complex finish.
Patron Añejo Cristalino Tequila
92 points
$79
All the things you are looking for from a high quality Cristalino; the citrus here is like a toasty pineapple bread with light agave pepper and spice.
The Dalmore 12 Year Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
92 points
$79
Rich wine cask essence on the nose with a sweet, rich grainy palate and lingering oaky baking spice on the finish.
Rampur Select Indian Single Malt Whisky Batch No. 1419
92 points
$140
A grain-forward and pleasingly youthful Whisky that shows off the quality of the distillation and base ingredients.
Perro Verde Mezcal Small Batch Ensamble Espadin/Tobasich Blanco Mezcal Blend
92 points
$159
There is a lot of depth and complexity here; not too much smoke and a nice salty kick on the back palate.
Patron El Alto Reposado Tequila
92 points
$179
Complex and tasty with the agave shining through and a light barrel character that should appeal to Single Malt drinkers.
Benriach The Smoky Twelve Speyside Single Malt Scotch
91 points
$61
Speyside orchard fruits and honeyed grain with a light smoke and rich earthy character; the aromas of walking around Scotland all bottled up.
The Glendronach 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
91 points
$65
A delightfully youthful introductory Highland Single Malt that shows off the elegance and balance achievable using sherry barrels without having to hit you in the face like a sherry bomb.
Benriach The Twelve Speyside Single Malt Scotch
91 points
$67
Warm honeyed grains with light orchard fruit and delicate barrel-spiced vanilla tones; all in a lovely balance in this absolutely classic Speysider.
Shucked Lulus Blend Limited Release Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch No. 1105
90 points
$70
Simple but delicious with bold and classic Bourbon flavors of chocolate, cinnamon, and coconut cream candies.
Patron El Cielo Silver Tequila
90 points
$129
Clean and crisp with good minerality and citrus with a vegetal backbone and indications of ripe, flavorful agave.
Rampur Asava Cabernet and Bourbon Barrel-Aged Indian Single Malt Whisky Batch No. 958
89 points
$89
Complex and interesting with a menagerie of flavors; worth the time to try.
Botran Cristalino Aged Fresh Cane Juice Rum
88 points
$45
Mix this with lime and coconut water for an easy Daiquiri riff.
Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt Whisky Batch No. 921
88 points
$89
Roasty and unique with just a hint of smoke running over the rich grains with barrel spice intermingled throughout.
Vodka 57 Pure Glacier Vodka
88 points
$95
Very soft on the palate with a very refreshing mint and snow-covered Douglas fir aroma and flavor; like eating fresh powder off the mountains surrounded by conifers.
Happenstance Founders Edition Straight Bourbon Whiskey
87 points
$57
A solid sipper with notes of sweet maple on the nose and high rye spices on the palate that will shine in cocktails and balance well against a medium-bodied cigar.
Vivamor Reposado Tequila
86 points
$129
A plush and friendly Reposado for those just getting into the category.
Dia De La Sirena Reposado Tequila
85 points
$89
Very sweet and would go nicely with some fruitier flavors like a strawberry Margarita or even a dessert drink like a spiked Mexican hot chocolate.
Shortcut: https://www.tastings.com/Calendar-Spirits/Review-2024-11-02-Luxury-Spirits.aspx