Best Inexpensive Liquor

Opaque dark violet color. Fruity, herbal, complex aromas and flavors of honeyed cassis, delicate spice and herbs, dark chocolate hint, and root vegetable with a thick, moderately sweet full body and a smooth, complex, very long finish with elements of cassis jam, floral honey, and hint of menthol mint and ginger finish. A fantastically rich and pure creme de cassis.

Clear color. Clean aromas of electrical charge, porcelain, and rainwater with a velvety, vibrant, bone-dry light-to-medium body and a warming, medium-long underripe pineapple, whipped cream, mint jelly, and dried strawberries finish. A clean, nuanced and graceful vodka that hits the spot.

Clear color. Aromas of wild lemon, mineral water, and underripe cherry with a round, vibrant, dry light body and an effortless, medium-length black pepper and creamy potato finish. A skillfully crafted vodka with extraordinary smoothness and excellent mouthfeel; martini-worthy.

Golden amber color. Aromas of roasted agave, caramelized pineapple, luxury cigarette, fresh organic pear, roasted pine nuts, coriander, and mustard with a vibrant, fruity medium body and a warming, very complex, very long sweety drop peppers, fine english toffee, and star fruit finish. A sophisticated and finesseful cognac that will delight connoisseurs.

Tasted as a Bloody Mary cocktail. Red color. Aromas and flavors of char grilled tomatoes, bourbon barrel, steak seasoning, and smoke sea salt with a thick, vibrant, salty medium-to-full body and a complex, medium-length finish that shows notes of horseradish, red hot sauce, barbecue ribs, and dill bitters finish. A rich and satisfying bloody mix to rival any hangover.

Awards: 2017 Best Mixer, 2017 Best Bloody Mary Mix

Clear color. Aromas of talc, salt, and white pepper with a round, crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a tingling, delightful, long mineral water and lemon gelee finish. An extremely clean and refreshing vodka for stately martini’s, rocks pours, or any manner of cocktail.

Pale slivery straw color. Herbal, floral aromas and flavors of potpourri, piney herbs, candied rose and lavender, and grapefruit peel with a satiny, tangy, sweet medium body and a smooth, complex, long finish with accents of candied kiwi and lychee and melon sorbet finish. A bold, vibrant elderflower liqueur with complex layers of flavor.

Clear color. Grassy, herbal, complex aromas of potting soil, cigarette, cascara, and fresh starfruit with a supple, vibrant, dryish thin body and a peppery, elegant, very long bone marrow, whole apricot, fine china, and sugar snap pea and pimento finish. A slow-developing Agricole that rewards the drinker with a flavor journey.

Clear color. Grassy, citrusy aromas and flavors of charred agave, royal lime cologne, toilet bowl cleaner, and fresh ginger with a silky, lively, bone-dry light-to-medium body and a hot, gigantic, very long finish evoking notes of matcha, sage, hot peppers, and tanned leather finish. Exotic spice and tanned-leather notes round out this spicy flavored vodka.

Awards: 2017 Best Flavored Vodka

Clear color. Aromas of tuberose, italian lemons, lime peel, and underripe pear with a silky, vibrant, dryish light body and a tingling, carefree thin mint cookies, sea salt, and raw almond finish. A clean, sophisticated vodka.