Best Inexpensive Liquor

Rich dark garnet color. Aromas of black cassis, hints of peppermint, toast, and citronella with a bright, sweet fat body and a sleek, massive, medium-long smoked peppercorns and fine syrah finish. An intense, complex and generous Creme de Cassis with bold, pure flavors; the go-to choice for a Kir Royale, an El Diablo, and many other classic cocktails.

Clear color. Aroma of funky cane with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, complex, medium-long key lime, apricot, grilled fruits and vegetables, coconut, lychee, and guanabana finish. A delicious, perfectly funky caipirinha in a can.

Brilliant light amber color. Attractive, inviting aromas and flavors of waffle iron, bananas foster in a copper pot, and fresh praline with a satiny, bright, off-dry medium-to-full body and a tingling, complex, very long finish with notes of cane stalk and leaves, tres leche cake with a drizzle of molasses, butter pecan sundae with real maraschino cherries, and tobacco ash and rubber sap. A fantastic, flavor-packed pot still Rum that instantly teleports you to a tiki bar on an exotic island; pack your bags with this one and stay a while.

Clear color. Aromas of plantain pepper bread, roasted nuts, wet grass and straw, and saltines with a supple, medium-full body and a hot, long polenta with caramelized tropical fruits, cane stalk, and charcoal and minerals finish. A rich and flavorful overproof Rum that opens up beautifully with dilution.

Clear color. Aromas and flavors of cracked juniper, black pepper, fresh parsley, fresh coriander seed, and lemon zest with a supple, vibrant, dryish light-to-medium body and a peppery, complex, long finish. This spirit alternative offers the classic London Dry botanical profile and satisfying perceived heat; a raging success for the category, enjoy as liberally as your heart desires.

Tasted as a Moscow Mule cocktail. Golden straw color. Attractive, spicy aromas and flavors of fresh sliced ginger, freshly ground nutmeg, galangal, and hint of egg nog with a supple, racy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, endless finish that shows notes of honeyed ginger root, ginger tea with lemon, and white peppercorn finish. A fabulously fresh and commanding ginger-forward Moscow Mule that warmly stimulates the senses.

Clear color. Pure aromas and flavors of freshly sliced cucumber and hints of basil with a round, crisp, dry light-to-medium body and a smooth, appealing, medium-length finish with nuances of lime and melon. A stellar Flavored Vodka that sings with pure, natural cucumber flavor and an easy-to-mix dry palate.

Awards: 2021 Best Flavored Vodka

Clear color. Aromas and flavors of roasted coconut with mar, cherries in vanilla extract, magic marker, and carob almond bar with a supple, crisp, dryish medium-to-full body and a tingling, refreshing, medium-long finish with nuances of minerals, copper, peppered figs, and egg nog finish. A lightly funky, cane-y, pot still influenced rum that will be great for tiki cocktails and daiquiris.

Clear amber color. Creamy, fruity, jammy aromas and flavors of marzipan, pear, nutmeg, and banana with a syrupy, soft, moderately sweet medium body and a warming, stimulating, medium-long finish with accents of chocolate cherries, baking spices and vanilla. A great Rum to sip on while having enough spice and complexity to stand up in a cocktail.

Clear color. Aromas of sweet tea, gunpowder, grilled green apple, rubber, bacon, orange peel, and pineapple chutney with a supple, crisp, dry medium body and a warming, interesting, long latex and spiced parsnips finish. A curious and concentrated Blanco Mezcal for celebrating and cocktailing.