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That Spirited Lot Hawker Market Gin (700ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 43%One shot pot distilled. Vaguely herbal, conjuring aromas of pine needles, coriander seed and crushed curry leaves, less the heat. The Asian spice theme continues on the palate with suggestions of Thai green curry backed up by juniper, Vietnamese mint and citrus. Lingering spices through the finish. Try it with ginger ale. 43% Alc./Vol. Batch 2 tasted.
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- Nicks Import
1970 Maxime Trijol 49 Year Old Fins Bois Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 40%Distilled in 1970 and bottled in 2019, this exceptionally old vintage dated release resulted in a limited run of 551 bottles. 40% Alc./Vol.
Since the Trijol family originally settled as growers and distillers in St Martial Sur Né, in the heart of the Cognac region they have built on their expertise as growers and distillers, becoming full time distillers in 1962. An independent family firm, Maxime Trijol has twenty 2,500 litre charentais pot stills and is now one of the largest distillers of cognac supplying many of the larger houses. In recent times the company has concentrated on releasing more of its own cognacs, which have been building a great reputation for quality, including rare vintage bottlings. This example is all the more unusual being produced exclusively from fruit sourced from 'Fins Bois' - a lesser known appellation that surrounds all three of the major crus making it the largest zone in the region (354,200ha). Chalky soils over a hard limestone base produce brandies that are known to peak fairly quickly, around 10-12 years, so they're often used to soften the harder edge of the better Cognacs when young.
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Michter's US*1 Small Batch Unblended American Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 41.7%“This small-batch whiskey is a treat” - Top 50 Spirits, wineenthusiast.com
Unlike Bourbon or Rye, which, by definition, must be aged in new oak barrels, US*1 unblended whiskey is aged in a way that utilizes second-use bourbon barrels to achieve a distinctive flavour profile. In late 2013, Michter's Master Distiller agreed to re-release this specialty after a nearly three-year absence from the market, deeming it “just right” and “the best it’s ever been.” Matured in bourbon soaked barrels, no neutral grain spirits are included in this blend. The colour is amber to brass gold. The aromas are rye-like offering powerful scents of stewed apple, cinnamon, vanilla and peppermint tea. Initially restrained in the mouth, the profile builds with concentrated, semi-sweet, spicy rye-like flavours - think stewed apple and a touch of Fisherman's Friend lozenge before winding up dry, balancing nicely with the mid-palate flavours which persist at length, but rounded off by some late sweetness. It's moreish whiskey that some tasters found reminiscent of single grain Scotch. 41.7% Alc./Vol. BATCH L14B98 tasted.
Other reviews... This small-batch whiskey is a treat, butter-soft and loaded with sweet toffee and hazelnut aromas and flavors. The long finish rolls toward dry espresso and mocha flavors, pepped up with clove and cinnamon. 94 points - wineenthusiast.com
Off-market for two years. Nose of caramel, sugar wafers, and a touch of just-ripe nectarine. Sweet/smooth in the mouth, with sweet mint, rock candy, and gliding King syrup flavors slipping all over the tongue, while oak notes provide high spiciness. Finishes with a lingering light sweetness, like a dissolving sugar flake. With all the sweetness, though, it doesn’t cloy. Nice, if not complex. 84 points
- whiskyadvocate.com, (Spring 2014) Reviewed by: Lew Bryson...This one’s the most mysterious of the bunch — a mystery grain whiskey that is aged (for a mysterious amount of time) not in new oak but in used bourbon barrels. The nose is immediately curious — gingerbread, molasses, and some lumber, but also tinned apples and cinnamon. The body is sweet with milk chocolate and maple notes, I’m thinking a distilled version of Sunday breakfast with some Nestle’s Quik on the menu. This isn’t a bad whiskey but it is a curious one, playing its identity cards close to the vest. Wheat whiskey, perhaps? Why not just say so? No batch information. - drinkhacker.com
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- Nicks Import
2010 Chateau Leoville Las CasesSaint Julien, Bordeaux, FRANCE$875. 00Bottle$10500.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Leoville Las Cases is one of the larger classified estates in Bordeaux, with the Second Growth Saint-Julien property totalling 98 hectares. Winemaking is very traditional, using old oak vats for fermentation, and up to 90% new French oak for maturation. While the wines can look rather austere in their youth, from great years they can resemble some of the finest First Growth wines as they reach maturity. The Chateau also produces a second wine, Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases (from 2009), which is not to be confused with Clos du Marquis, a wine that is always produced from a separate parcel and is considered a standalone brand.
"This is an absolutely awesome Saint-Julien with a long life ahead." - Neal Martin, Vinous
Other Reviews....
Layered, textured, deep, cigar box, cassis and earth, managing to simultaneously stretch out, and burrow down. The edges open slowly but surely and seductively. Still inky in colour, this has all the powerful texture and tannic architecture that you expect from Leoville, and unlike the 2009 at its ten year point it is still keeping plenty of secrets close to its chest. But you are going to want to be around when it fully opens. Drink 2022-2050.
100 points
Jane Anson - Decanter (Jan 2020)The most powerful wine in this vertical is the 2010 Léoville Las Cases, a full-bodied, deep and multidimensional behemoth redolent of rich berries, cassis, burning embers, pencil shavings and loamy soil. Broad-shouldered, layered and muscular, with huge reserves of concentration and sweet, powdery tannin, it concludes with a broad, resonant finish. This is a prodigious, somewhat imposing Las Cases that is still an infant a decade after bottling. Drink 2025-2065.
98 points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Aug 2022)The 2010 Léoville Las Cases has a clean and precise bouquet, beautifully focused with blackberry, melted tar, cigar humidor and crushed stone aromas. It gains intensity with aeration without ever losing its precision. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a sense of abiding symmetry and detail as it fans out on the mineral-driven finish. This is an absolutely awesome Saint-Julien with a long life ahead. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting. Drink 2026-2060.
96 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (Feb 2020)The aromas to this wine have a beautiful purity of raspberries, blueberries, currants, and flowers that follow to a a full body, with super integrated tannins that are like the finest silk in texture. It shows elegant and pretty fruit character and a reserve and finesse of such great years as 1989 and 1995. The bright strong acidity gives a crunchy and creamy texture. This has a tiny bit more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than 2009. Give it at least six to eight years of bottle age.
99 points
James Suckling (Nov 2013) - Negro Ferro China (700ml)AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenABV: 18%A herb infused fortified wine aperitif. Best served before a meal. A famous source of iron and appetite stimulant. 18% Alc./Vol. No tasting notes available.
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Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whiskey Liqueur (700ml)Tennessee, UNITED STATES$68. 99Bottle$827.88 DozenABV: 35%A blend of Jack Daniel’s flagship old no.7 and special recipe honey liqueur. Smells like dilute maple syrup over banana and pancake - unusual for the genre. Silky, slightly viscous entry leads into mild, quasi-honeyed flavours of golden syrup and creme caramel with the maple syrup making a brief return at the finish. Of several whiskey based honey liqueurs to hit the shelves in recent times this is one of the more interesting examples, but not outstanding. 35% Alc./Vol.
Jack's recommended drink recipe: "Jack Honey Lemonade": 1 part Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, 3 parts lemonade.
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Ledaig 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Isle of Mull, SCOTLAND$240. 00Bottle$2880.00 DozenABV: 46.3%“...Don’t ‘mull’ over these malts, they’re belters." - dramface.com
Jim Murray routinely derides it, others adore it. Many have never heard of it. Even peat freaks don't always talk about Ledaig in a positive light: “It smells of manure and tastes of wet dog”. Sometimes that may be true, but its peaty-earthy-barnyard notes combined with a whiff of the coast convey a sense of place and set it apart from most other Hebridean malts. They're primarily what Ledaig is all about. Made at Tobermory to a 38ppm phenol specification and pronounced letch-igg, (meaning ‘safe haven’ ), the distillery has been closed for almost half of its 220+ year history, repeatedly recovering from the brink of demolition. Three or four decades ago, its malts were variable to say the least- often feinty, rubbery or just plain average. Burn Stewart dramatically improved the quality through the 1990s while keeping true to Ledaig’s funky style. In 2013, new owners, Distell International decided to up the bottling strength to 46.3% abv, use no artificial colouring and not chill filter the whisky. If production numbers are anything to go by, they must be doing a lot right. There used to be a 50/50 split between unpeated Tobermory and peated Ledaig. Starting in 2022, Ledaig was increased to 70% and it's expected to dominate into the forseeable future. You can taste the results in NAS bottlings like ‘The Sinclair’, but for many, the high point of Ledaig’s gritty, meaty, elemental output remains the 18YO, first offered in 2015.
Like its younger sibling, the 18 is an island style balancing sweet barley and sherry notes with sea and smoke. From a 30ml sample, the aromas are a little understated; A medley of ginger bread, cocoa, latex and wet rock over a peaty undercurrent later emphasises lanolin and fruit’n’nut chocolate. On entry this is a big boned dram: dense dried fruits are carried by a peaty, peppery surge. Wool-shed, roasted nuts and smokey dark chocolate follow through with excellent persistence. Moderately sherried and peaty, yes, but in an ashy, sooty, earthy way. Think Longrow more so than your typical 'Island profile'. 46.3% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... This 18 year old variant of Ledaig from Tobermory distillery on Mull was released in spring 2015 and is finished in oloroso sherry casks. Old warm leather predominates on the early nose, with salt, pencil shavings, a suggestion of asphalt, and dried fruit. Big fruit and spicy peat notes on the robust palate, which features sherry and a sprinkling of brine. Drying slowly, with licorice and marginally tannic oak behind persistent smoke. 86 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by Gavin Smith, Fall 2016
...This baby’s meant to represent ‘the rebirth’ of Ledaig’s original style. Well, if it’s anywhere near the glorious 1972, 1973 or 1974, we’ll have to cheer. Colour: pale gold. Nose: maybe… Theirs is, indeed, this feeling of coal smoke, old stove, burning tea, burning kelp and other seaweed (beach bonfire), or metal polish, lit cigars… Plus a layer of both fresh and old walnuts, and perhaps a smidgen of curry mayonnaise (what?) and mustard. Something ‘original’ indeed. Mouth: good dirty, earthy, spicy (curry again) and pleasantly pungent arrival, but with some candy sugar in the background, which feels just a tad out of place. But other than that, this baby’s much to my liking. Finish: long, ashy, peaty, with always this candy sugar. Muscovado coating? That’s just a wee bit tiring. Comments: I find it very good but I’m guessing that as usual, the indies will be cleaner and closer to the distillate. Unless there’s sherry… 85 points - whiskyfun.com
...The Ledaig 10 and 18 are very solid drams. The 10 has plenty of fans and scored highly in the online whisky realm, becoming Ralfy’s whisky of the year 2022. The 18 is becoming a little bit harder to find these days, I think that’s what swayed me towards a sample of it. I’d have it on the list of ‘next whisky to buy’ for sure... - dramface.com
Best Scotch Islands (non Islay) Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2022.
Best Scotch Islands (non Islay) Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2021.
- Fair Quinoa Vodka (700ml)FRANCE$86. 99Bottle$1043.88 DozenABV: 40%Fairtrade promotes fairer trading conditions for farmers & workers so they can invest in a better future for themselves and their communities. FAIR Vodka is the first vodka in the world certified Fair Trade. It guarantees higher margins to the farmers and donates 2.5% of its turnover to finance local development programs. Produced using Bolivian quinoa seeds cultivated according to the methods of organic farming, it took almost two years of research & development between Bolivian producers and French distillers and involves a double brewing operation, and subsequent distillation. The quinoa grain is shipped to France where it's distilled in Cognac via column still, before being blended with wheat based spirit. Tasting notes Brilliant crystal clear appearance. Moderate, semi sweet, cream, sponge cake and mild white pepper aromas are backed up by suggestions of lemon tart. A creamy entry follows through in a sustained, white pepper and lemon tart / lozenge profile and a drying minerally finish with the peppery sensation carrying the flavours with outstanding length. 40% Alc/Vol. Other reviews... Clear. Very neutral aromas and flavors suggest cream, cake, and minerals with a very soft, dryish light-to-medium body and a exquisitely smooth custard, dried fruit, and limestone accented finish. A superbly silky, elegant, and delicious vodka that is fantastic on its own and will be perfect in cocktails.
International Review of Spirits Award: Platinum Medal
RATING: 96 points (Superlative) - www.tastings.com -
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Imbue Distillery Suburban Gin (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 40%Tasting note: [Batch 5] Clear. Juniper and lemon mingle with interesting suggestions of cut grass, semi ripe blackberry, orris root and herbal tea–like notes. A medium-fresh style including flavours of juniper, dried grass and citrus cough lozenge, finishing well-rounded, zesty, gently warming with hints of cool mint, ginger, herbal tea and straw. 40% Alc./Vol. - Dewar's 12 Year Old Double Aged Blended Scotch Whisky (700ml)SCOTLAND$76. 99Bottle$923.88 DozenABV: 40%Dewars 12 is created in "limited quantities" each year and released only when the master blender deems it ready. To highlight its restricted availability, bottles of Dewar's 12 are embossed with the Dewar's marrying symbol and individually numbered at the source.
Other reviews... Medium amber color. Buttered caramel coconut, light peat, and vapor aromas. A smooth entry leads to a round medium-to full-bodied palate with sweet malt, dried tropical fruits, toffee, honey roasted nut and brown spice flavors. Finishes with a nice fade of dried fruit and peppery spice. Solid.40.0% Alc./Vol.
International Review of Spirits Award: Silver Medal
87 points (Highly Recommended)
- tastings.comOther reviews… "Lots of character a dash of peat, and a hint of honey are all there, and they are nicely woven together." (89 points and a Best Buy) - Gary Regan, The Wine Enthusiast.
- Clase Azul Ultra Anejo Tequila (750ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$3799. 00Bottle$45588.00 DozenABV: 40%This is the legendary Clase Azul bottling that consolidated Arturi Lomeli's reputation as a high-end tequila craftsman.
It quickly become the prize jewel in the portfolio, only surpassed by Clase Azul's most expensive offering to date - a US $30,000 ceramic bottle studded with amber and 24-karat gold, created to celebrate the brand's 15th anniversary. Made from nine year old 100% organic Tequilana Weber Blue Agaves, cooked in traditional brick ovens for 72 hours and fermented using a proprietary yeast which is said to contribute natural sweetness and a silky texture. Following distillation, 'Ultra' is aged for three to five years (depending on your source) in heavy char, x Oloroso Spanish sherry casks. The first edition was limited to 100 bottles (50 for Mexico and 50 for the United States) with subsequent runs limited to 100 bottles per batch. At this age, the tequila takes on the character of a super-premium whisky or fine brandy with nuances of "cinnamon, almond, vanilla, fruits and a rich, earthy balance." Lomeli says this tequila is for savoring, not mixing in a cocktail or downing as a shot. "We want people to taste the tequila, to make them erase that bad memory that every single person has about low-quality tequila," he said. "You can sip it and enjoy it neat without having that nightmare of hangovers." More than any other Clase Azul before it, 'Ultra' comes packaged to match its extraordinary contents. Once fired and glazed, the distinctive black ceramic decanter is adorned with a 24k gold label and a design hand-painted in liquid platinum by renowned artist, Leon Fernandez. The Agave medallion is Ley sterling silver, while the vessel itself is sealed with a pewter cap. Each decanter takes around 40 days to create. In short, it's a true collector's piece and a work of art that will be appreciated long after the tequilas gone. 40% Alc./Vol. -
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2012 Penfolds St. Henri ShirazSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$160. 00Bottle$1920.00 DozenCellar: 10 - 12 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinFirst released in 1957 St Henri is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like characters as it ages. It sees no new oak and is matured in 50 year old plus large oak vats for 13 months that allow the wine to develop, imparting minimal oak character. Although a small proportion of Cabernet is sometimes used to improve structure, the focal point for St Henri remains Shiraz.
A blend of 97% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Magnificent midnight black colour with a deep very dark crimson red black hue. Perfumed notes of liquorice, blackberry and black cherry overlay some lightly toasted vanillin oak and black olive with blackpepper end notes. Full bodied with excellent richness, yet light on its feet the palate boasts tremendous power with generous flavours of liquorice, ripe blackberries and black cherries followed by some subtle smoky vanillin cedar, a touch of meatiness and blackpepper. Plushly textured with a dry finish and very fine grained tannins that a have a sturdy robust feel and provide the required support base. Long aftertaste of liquorice, ripe blackberry, black cherry, vanillin cedar, delicate smoky black olive and pepper.
Cellar 10-12 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
The 2012 Shiraz St Henri is very impressive with its elegant, sophisticated and well-crafted expression of this superb vintage. As always, there is no new oak employed here, simply 50+ year old large oak vats. This vintage has a dollop (3%) Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing a lovely cassis lift to the heady perfume. Deep garnet-purple colored, it displays a gorgeous nose of commendable purity and intensity with notes of red and blackcurrants, freshly crushed blackberries, menthol, cinnamon stick, bacon fat and cloves. Rich and already expressive on the palate, it is nonetheless built for the long haul with firm, ripe and grainy tannins carrying the fruit to a long and layered finish. This should be a long-lived St Henri that should cellar gracefully for at least 2 decades.
96+ points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
Has a whisk of 3% cabernet to accompany the shiraz, the grapes from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Robe and the Clare Valley. In the manner of all St Henris, matured for 13 months in 50yo oak vats (1460l). This is an exercise on a chequer board of savoury/smoky black fruits with firm, but polished, tannins. A great St Henri that will come into its own in a bare minimum of 10 years, and live long thereafter. Drink by 2047.
96 points
James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion - Pampero Anejo Especial Rum (700ml)VENEZUELA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 40%
In Venezuela, locals don’t ask for Pampero Especial by name but simply a “Caballito Frenao", literally asking for a “rearing horse” – a homage to the label's iconic Llanero (Venezuelan Cowboy), a symbol of freedom. Described as one of the company's most versatile rums, this light molasses-based spirit is aged in x-Bourbon barrels, with the heat of Venezuela’s unique micro-climate breathing flavour into the rum at a faster rate than anywhere else in the world. This process delivers a smooth, balanced expression with notes of wood, vanilla and sweet fruits.
Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022
4.5 Stars - diffordsguide.com
Other reviews... Despite the relatively young age of the rum it doesn’t burn much at all when sipped. It’s really quite an easy going rum. There is a little burn and the finish lingers in the mouth giving a little spice. It’s quite a dry rum – again similar to a Bajan (think Seales 10 year old). It has quite a long finish and leaves notes of toffee and slight sugary caramel. These notes aren’t very distinct though it isn’t by any stretch of the imagination a particularly sweet or fruity rum. There is a little bit of banana and vanilla initially but isn’t in spades like some rums. As a mixing rum its perfectly acceptable. - thefatrumpirate.com
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Darroze Les Grands Assemblages 12 Year Old Bas Armagnac (700ml)Armagnac, FRANCE$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 43%Tasting note: Brilliant deep gold appearance. Offers seductive scents of vanilla custard, walnuts and flashes of balsamic. Second pass stimulates toffee apple over suggestions of coconut oil. A soft entry introduces a supple, pleasantly warming and dryish profile including flavours of roasted nut, raisins and vanilla; good balance. Charming Armagnac, cut short by overbearing oak at the finish. 43%Alc./Vol. -
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Tromba 100% Agave Anejo Tequila (750ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$120. 00Bottle$1440.00 DozenABV: 40%Tasting note: Attractive bright gold. Engaging drier-styled opening bouquet features lime juice, mustard pickle, brine and white pepper. Second pass finds spicy salsa / tomato chutney and green olive to the fore. A soft-textured, pure, fresh delivery opens with capsicum, par boiled zucchini and delicate black pepper flavours; the barrel influence kicks in late adding cough lozenge, hints of vanilla and walnuts to the finish. Concludes mildly salty, long, light and easy. Almost endlessly complex, this is fabulous Anejo. 40% Alc./Vol. -
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Nonino Il Moscato Grappa (700ml)Udine, Friuli, ITALY$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 41%Fermented from fresh Moscato grapes, the resulting grappa is rested for six months before being bottled. Crystal clear, brilliant. Entices with a pure and complex bouquet of oregano, tyhme, candlewax and fruit bread. Light and easy on entry, leading into a supple textured, beeswax-raisin bread and soft spice profile followed by hints of sour dough crust, green olive and grapey-herbal freshness on the finish. Super long, softly styled, vibrant and delicious. 41% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... 4.5 Stars - www.diffordsguide.com
The Nonino family have devoted themselves to the art of distillation since 1897 and each generation has been consistently improving and innovating to change the perception of this ancient Friulian distillate. In 1973 Nonino became the first producer to create a single varietal Grappa from the indigenous Picolit grape, setting a trend which the rest of Italy’s distillers would follow. Nonino has tirelessly campaigned for the preservation of local varieties, establishing the ‘Risit d’Aur’ (Golden Rootstock) Award in 1975, which is awarded annually to Friulian growers who preserve and propagate native vine material. In 1984 Nonino again set the standard with ‘ÙE’, distilling from whole grapes to preserve their unique aromas and flavours and softness on the palate. And in 2000, the Noninos created Gioiello, a pure honey distillate to complement a range that few producers can rival for quality.
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Ledaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Isle of Mull, SCOTLAND$114. 99Bottle$1379.88 DozenABV: 46.3%Ralfy's Whisky of the Year 2022. - ralfy.com
Ledaig ten year old has come a long way since it debuted in 2010. The latest incarnations have maintained momentum, so much so that popular Youtube blogger, Ralfy named it his whisky of the year for 2022. You only need a small sample to get the gist: Powerful aromas of cocoa and sooty malt come with traces of brine, salted nuts and peppercorns, lanolin and beeswax. The palate develops into a typically brawny, briney Ledaig experience combining vanilla, malt and peat before finishing dry and mildly peppery with excellent balance. The aftertaste sees a return of the wet wool / lanolin notes which linger with good persistence. Great to see this obscure malt back on Australian shelves and in terrific form. Non Chill-filtered. 46.3% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... I love the intensely malty and enticingly peaty opening aroma that emits pungent notes of filled ashtray, soot, sea breeze and kippers. Palate entry is dry initially then rapidly turns off-dry and salty; at midpalate, the taste profile explodes on the tongue in flavors of salted peanut, smoked fish, paraffin, light toffee and salted butter. 92 points - winenthusiast.com
[+/- 2017 bottling] ...I last tried this expression in 2012. I appreciated it… moderately (WF 80). Colour: white wine. Nose: fine, light, with whiffs of carbon paper and new leatherette, new plastic bags at the supermarket (banned in France, though), lemon zests, smoked tea, and coal/soot. It’s not big, but I think it’s cleaner than its earlier inceptions. Mouth: no, it’s good, really. It’s lacking a part of the lemony side that works so well with many young indies, but on the other hand, there are nice notes of coffee and vanilla, from the wood, most probably. That’s the problem with most distillery owners, they tend to overdo the oak part. But we’re fine here, it’s, well, a very fine dram. And hey, let’s remember that earlier official Ledaigs had been terrible, feinty, butyric, gym-socky, puk… Ok, ok, we’re all done here. Finish: medium, brine-y, a tad sour. Comments: a very, very fine Ledaig, for sure. It’s just that the thousands of indie bottlers around us are having even better ones these days. Only IMHO, of course. 83 points - whiskyfun.com
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Christmont La Zona ProseccoKing Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2010-2012)ABV: 12%Closure: CorkModerate white creamy mousse that quickly dissipates. Very pale straw base colour with fine but only moderately persistent bead. Delicate aromas of sherbet, citrus and pear. The palate is quite dry and displays flavours of citrus, green apple and baked bread. Almost creamy like texture. Dry clean finish with aftertaste of citrus and baked bread.
Drink now.
12.0% Alc - De Kuyper Butterscotch Schnapps Liqueur (700ml)Schiedam, NETHERLANDS$48. 99Bottle$587.88 DozenABV: 20%
Try this Butterscotch Schnapps on the rocks or in your favourite cocktail. Best enjoyed icy cold. 20% Alc./Vol.
No tasting notes available.
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Clairin Communal Blend (700ml)HAITI$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 43%If you can't decide which Clairin to choose, 'Communal' resolves that with a blend of four Clairins: Sajous, Vaval, Casimir and Le Rochers. Pungent, fruity-yet-fresh openings turning briney, caney, grassy, evolving white pepper, candle wax and plantain-like scents over 2-3 minutes of swirling… Silky yet concentrated. Off-dry, bready, waxy, briney flavours are perfectly balanced by an invigorating, vibrant finish hinting at prunes, raisins and late marzipan. Another brilliant Clairin that pretty much clocks the white rum flavour wheel. 43% Alc./Vol.
- Jim Beam Distillers Series No.3 Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$174. 99Bottle$2099.88 DozenABV: 37%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
This is the third release in the Jim Beam Distillers Collector's series. This edition commemorates David M. Beam 1833 - 1913.
No tasting notes available.
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Victor Gontier Calvados Domfrontais Apple Brandy (700ml)Normandy, FRANCE$124. 99Bottle$1499.88 DozenABV: 40%Tasting note: [2005 vintage] Gontier is based in Saint-Georges du Rouellet, deep in the heart of Domfrontais. This bottling is labelled ‘fermier’ or 'farm-made', indicating that it was made entirely on a farm in a traditional way. Deeply coloured, initially varnishy, then dry cider-like on the nose (pears more than apples), it's full and round with ripe spiced pear flavours followed by apple pie, late cinnamon and acacia. It feels less woody than many Pays d'Auge examples, so less tannic at the finish, but also not quite as fresh and vibrant. 40% Alc./Vol. Apple brandies from the 'AOC calvados Domfrontais' region in the south of Calvados are uncommon in Australia. The appellation was created in 1997 and reflects the long tradition of pear orchards in Domfrontais due to the region’s clay and limestone soil which is better suited to the strong, deep roots of pear trees. Consequently, Domfrontais Calvados differ from their Pays’d’Auge counterparts by being made from at least 30% pears, as well as the traditional Calvados component of apples. The inclusion of pears makes not only for a lighter-coloured spirit, but also one which emits a more feminine and elegant bouquet. The regulations are otherwise similar to the A.O.C. Calvados and require a three year minimum of ageing in oak barrels; orchards to consist of at least 15% pear trees (25% from the sixteenth harvest) and only the column still is to be used. Other reviews... [1997 vintage] Gontier make some real artisan Domfrontais. Colour: gold. Nose: extremely aromatic, with the pears in the front and wonderful notes of artisan poiré (pear cider). Then Turkish delights, Haribo bears, bubblegum, liquorice allsorts and lastly, moss and fern after a heavy September rain ;-). Spectacularly fresh and aromatic. Don’t get me wrong, bubblegum does not suggest immaturity in this context, at all. Mouth: fresh, well on the fruits, very clean, with a saltiness and notes of fresh walnuts plus just a little grapefruit. Not extremely complex but very ‘chiselled’, which makes it dangerously quaffable, not only as a digestif. A calvados that left the ghetto! Finish: not too long but still very clean and easy. Comments: very, very dangerous, and much to my liking. I think this baby would even bear one ice cube later in summer…
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2017 Domaine Faiveley Mazis Chambertin Grand CruBurgundy, FRANCE$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2017 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru is a blend of the original Faiveley parcel plus around 0.5 hectares gained through their acquisition of Dupont-Tisserandot. It has quite an intense bouquet of blackberry, briar and wild strawberry scents, coming across a little burly compared to the more nuanced Latricières-Chambertin. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, the palate perhaps showing more potential than the aromatics at the moment. There is very good weight here, fine mineralité and quite a precise, sustained finish. Give it five or six years in bottle.
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Luxardo Amaretto Liqueur (700ml)ITALY$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenABV: 24%A superb example, produced using superior quality soft almonds sourced from Southern Sicily and made in a style originating from an old Italian recipe. Part of the Luxardo family's method sees the liqueur aged in Larchwood vats for eight months before bottling.
Tasting note: Gold ochre colour with pale straw hue. Perfumed top note of marzipan above stewed apricots, manuka honey and vanilla bean. The palate is luxurious - exceptionally soft and luscious. The flavours delivered are intense and superbly balanced. Marzipan and manuka honey dominates with vanilla in support. Clean finish. Exceptionally long aftertaste of marzipan and vanilla with a subtle creme brulee fade. Excellent. 24% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Smells and tastes like amaretti biscuits with rich marzipan and toasted almond. Slightly sweeter than some other Amarettos.
4.5 stars - diffordsguide.com - Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$340. 00Bottle$4080.00 DozenABV: 40%
Created according to Edouard Martell's own 'recipe' in 1912, this XO standard is something of a benchmark for many Cognac lovers. It's marked by a predominance of eaux-de-vie from the Borderies appellation, a 'lesser' terroir which has garnered well deserved prestige over the last few decades.
Cellar Master, Christophe Valtaud, says of Cordon Bleu: "Here we have a unique Cognac in the XO category. Martell Cordon Bleau is endowed with beautiful complexity and rich aromas, making it a legendary Cognac. Its high proportion of Borderies marks this blend, expanding on its caramelized character with the smoothness of sweet spices, gingerbread, and roasted cocoa beans".
Other reviews...Bouquet is semisweet and prune-like; several minutes of aeration unleashes much deeper scents of honeydew melon, cantaloupe, roasted almonds and apple butter. The palate entry is full bodied, generous and sweet; at midpalate, the flavor profile turns satiny as scintillating tastes of black cherry, black coffee and Macadamia nut blanket the tongue. Aftertaste is extended, smoky and luscious. 90-95 points - wineenthusiast.com
- Picon Biere Aperitif (1000ml)Marseille, FRANCE$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenABV: 18%Closure: Screw Cap
Picon is a flavoured bitters drunk as an apéritif, which traditionally accompanies beer in the east and north of France. Its bittersweet flavour is made from a base of fresh oranges which are dried and mixed with a solution of alcohol. Picon also contains gentian and quinquina in equal measures.
Gaétan Picon, born in 1809, was a scholar who had an apprenticeship at the distillery of Aix-en-Provence, Toulon and Marseille. In 1837, after taking a trip to Algeria where he had been in the French Army, he invented Picon. It was originally of a higher alcohol percentage, around 40%. At the time, Gaétan Picon had created the first distillery to produce African bitters in an Algerian village, he then went on to create a number of other distilleries: Constantine, Bône and Algiers. In 1872, Picon returned to France and created the first factory for the production of Picon, still in use today, in Marseille. In 1937, the company published a book called "Histoire d'un Siècle Picon (1837 - 1937)", and the company slogan at the time was "Il n'est plus une partie du globe où n'ait pénétré le Picon !" ("there is no longer any part of the world where Picon hasn't penetrated.")
Picon is best served as an aperitif, but is also frequently mixed with beer or wine - not to mention a variety of cocktails which have developed around this French legend. 18% Alc./Vol.
No tasting notes available.
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Glengoyne 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 43%Glengoyne uses only unpeated malted barley i.e. barley which is air dried rather than dried under a peat fire. The newly packaged twelve year old expression (as opposed to the 12 year old cask strength) is said to have a high proportion of Sherry casks involved in the maturation. Natural colour.
Other reviews... The nose has a curiously intimate feel, but the tasting experience is a wonderful surprise. 91.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2025-26
2010 bottling tasted... Straw / gold colour with very pale straw hue. The nose reveals subtle notes of vanilla, clove and cinnamon with an apple / pear like fruitiness, then sweeter cereal notes. The warm palate entry reveals pear, biscuit and grain flavours. Excellent concentration and texture. Subtle yet lasting aftertaste of cereals and liquorice strap. A perfect session whisky and a little bit more besides! 43% Alc./Vol.
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The Botanist Gin (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 46%The once mothballed Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay is better known for its idiosyncratic and eclectic range of single malts. Now they’re making a gin that’s the talk of the town.
Mark Reynier, one of the key instigators in this distillery’s recent revival, explains, “Botanist gin came about because we are curious about distilling. For us it is not a question of merely pushing buttons, we like to test our distilling skills, we are intrigued. With Trestaraig and X4 we have explored triple and quadruple distillation, so with a Lomond still that we had liberated from Inverleven in 2003, we were wondering how to use it. It was an experimental still, the first of its kind and now the last”.
The resulting gin uses nine of the classic gin aromatics – orris root, cassia bark, coriander seed, etc – and augments these with a heady harvest of 22 wild, native island botanicals, hand-picked by Bruichladdich’s expert foraging team from the windswept hills, peat bogs and atlantic shores of this Hebridean island of Islay. These include wild Islay Juniper, Elderflower, Bog Myrtle, Tansy, Hawthorn Flower, Birch Leaves, White Clover, Sweet Cicely and Lady's Bedstraw, amongst others.
This truly seasonal and exotic cocktail is then slow "simmer" distilled in the lomond pot-still, nicknamed "ugly betty". Head distiller, Jim McEwan explains, “Betty prefers to work at low-pressure and won’t be rushed. So our precious botanicals are slowly and gently coaxed into releasing their complex, signature aromatics. Jim says he had to "learn a new dance" with Betty, and none of us knew what to expect from that first, achingly-slow 17 hour distillation.
The result: a highly distinctive, complex, floral gin with outstanding finish and impeccable provenance. In an age of re-badged industrial gins, the Botanist stands out as a truly artisanal, small-batch, hand-crafted labour of love and distiller's art. A breath of botanical Islay in every glass.
Tasting note: [30ml sample] Crystal clear, slightly viscous appearance. Powerful bouquet opens with fresh juniper and thyme followed by orange peel, coriander and pine. Excellent complexity and purity. Medium dry, concentrated profile delivers a creamy-yet-peppery mouthfeel with a nice balance between citrus peel and juniper. Orange peel on the finish leads into a subtle, persistent peppermint / eucalypt aftertaste. Great stuff - and if you're mixing, it lends a lovely creaminess to G&T’s. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... a superbly clean and juniper led gin; while it features "22 native botanicals", The Botanist is distinctly London Dry in style. 5 Stars - diffordsguide.com
"With all of the botanicals used, it can take a while to move from nosing to tasting as there is a lot to discover. The key things that will stick with you are a fresh, lemony aroma coupled with spring flowers and a touch of mint. As you taste, the gin is clean and not too oily with more of the lemon floral notes sticking out. The juniper certainly falls to a background player here, but this gin, even with the dozens of botanicals used, doesn't get muddied. This is a gin that would work wonders in a sour or Collins preparation." 92 points - distiller.com
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1999 Penfolds GrangeSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$899. 00Bottle$10788.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkOther Reviews….
The 1999 Grange does not come close to such great Granges as the 1998, 1996, 1991, and 1990. Dense ruby/purple to the edge, with a bouquet of blackberries, mulberries, and floral-like aromas, and medium to full body, the 1999 has an acid punch, but also tremendous layers of fruit and extract. Not massive, but elegant and nicely layered, it requires another 2-3 years of cellaring, and should last for 12-15 years.
92 points
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate 2004
Concentrated blackberry and licorice fruit, the oak perfectly integrated. A powerful, masculine style, a touch more austere than the '98.
95 points
James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion 2021 -
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Imbue Distillery Suburban Barrel Aged Gin (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 40%Tasting note: [Batch 3] Matured in a Sherry barrel. Brilliant gold. Similar to the standard gin, only softer and more sedate on the nose, accenting lemon cheese cake, pine buds and a touch of menthol. The barrel character adds a delicate sweetness to the flavours of lemon cough lozenge and muted juniper. While the spices are toned down, it retains nice vibrancy and length. 40% Alc./Vol. -
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Pavan Liqueur (700ml)FRANCE$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 18%Named after the European 16th century dance of the peacock, Pavan liqueur is made with small Muscat grapes from the Appellation d’Origine Controlee region of Frontignan, aged in oak casks and blended with Muscat eau-de-vie and orange blossom water.
Tasting note: Clear, very pale straw / gold colour. The perfumed bouquet is floral yet curiously fruity; Moscato gelato with a dose of orange peel combine with something more exotic. Feijoa peel? Or is it Kiwi fruit? Entry is whisper soft, leading into a pure, silky, off-dry orange sherbet like profile that's more grapey and citrusy towards the finish. Mildly tangy. Concludes gently acidic, clean, light and fresh with a grape and lemon sherbet aftertaste. An intriguing new liqueur. 18% Alc./Vol.
- Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva Solera 23 Rum (700ml)DOMINICAN REPUBLIC$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 40%
The Matusalem Rum company was started by the Camp brothers in 1872 as a family affair. The "new" Cuban rum rapidly caught on in the world's markets. In the early 1940's the company experienced a period of tremendous growth and by the 1950's it had already captured 50% of the Cuban market, making it the leading rum sold in Cuba. Today, descendents of the founders produce Ron Matusalem in the Dominican Republic. The brand “Matusalem” was named after the Biblical Patriarch, Methuselah who was said to have lived for 969 years, so symbolising the patient ageing and old world craftsmenship used to give Ron Matusalem Rum its exceptional flavour. The key to Matusalems’s Gran Reserva rum’s complexity is the Solera aging process where various mature rums are carefully blended together.
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Old Pulteney Huddart Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 46%Named after the street where the Pulteney Distillery is located in Wick, 'Huddart' is one of three new products released in 2018 along with a 15 year and 18 year old. Matured in second-fill American oak ex-Bourbon barrels, it was finished in barrels which formerly held heavily peated whisky. The nose suggests wood shavings, salted water biscuits, muesli and pepper with mere hints of maritime smoke, the latter more salient on the palate where it's intermixed with subtle orchard fruits, spiced citrus and a salt'n'pepper tang through the fresh, drying finish. Solid depth at 46%.
Other reviews... This NAS expression is part of the new 2018 Old Pulteney core lineup. Sweet woodsmoke, crème brûlée, green apples, and cinder toffee on the nose. The smoke is more peat-induced on the palate, with banana fritters, and subtly sprinkled with sea salt. The finish features caramel and herbal notes. 46% Alc./Vol. 87 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Winter 2018)
...This is ex-bourbon Pulteney, probably young since there’s no age statement, finished in ex-peated casks. As for the ‘shouldn’t this rather be a blended malt then’ debate, we’ll do that later. Perhaps. Probably not. Colour: pale gold. Nose: they have a thing with these ex-peater finishes, because this works very well on the nose, really. Some apple pie that would have been baked near the ocean – or on a boat – while someone in the neighbourhood was burning lemon wood, whilst smoking eucalyptus cigarettes. Mouth: really, I find this surprisingly good. It’s as if Pulteney’s slightly coastal character was amplified, in a Spinal-Tap way. Some butterscotch too, toffee, charred US oak, salty lemons, a touch of ginger and nutmeg… All is very fine here. Finish: quite long, with a rounder texture (newish US oak indeed?) and a beautiful mentholy freshness. Comments: crikey, I seem to be enjoying this little NAS quite a lot. 86 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com
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Braulio Amaro Digestif Liqueur (700ml)Bormio, ITALY$47. 99Bottle$575.88 DozenABV: 21%Closure: Screw CapFrom Bormio in the Italian Alps, a town famous for its skiing and the Stelvio Pass, a spectacular & dramatic alpine road which will be familiar to viewers of 'Top Gear'. Braulio offers a wonderful way to conclude a meal and tastes all the better if you've had a day on the slopes. Sienna brown in colour, the aromas feature spearmint and chamomile above a layer of florals and sandalwood, followed by a touch of liquorice and citrus. Rich and supple, initially delivering fresh mint and spice complementing the chamomile, the finish warms and lets the bittersweet complexities promised by the nose take the reins. The balance of sweetness, bitterness and fruit flavours is wonderfully maintained throughout. Consume straight over ice or even warm. Any which way, a delicious digestif. 21.0% Alc./Vol.
- The Simple Syrup Co. Crawley's Bartender Rose Syrup (750ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenClosure: Screw CapCrawley’s Rose syrup was created specifically for a private client. It’s flavour pinballs delicately through all the floral channels of Fairy Floss, Turkish Delight and Damascus Rose. Now released to the open market, it is proving a success in many a punch. The lightly rose tinted syrup gives you premium options for Ramos Gin Fizzes, Juleps, Wedding Sangria’s and floral creative direction. Crawley created the Hamlet Fizz specifically for it and its recipe adorns the bottle. Suggested cocktails for inclusion are the Hamlet Fizz, Beverly Hills Champers Punch, Valentine Killer and the Amelia Earhart.
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Glenmorangie The Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 46%This is the new incarnation of Quinta Ruban, with an extra two years added to the age statement. Initially matured in x Bourbon barrels, it spent a finishing period in x Ruby Port casks. It's a controversial upgrade with some tasters preferring the earlier, younger edition. Pretty autumn leaf gold. Whiffs of pristine barley arrive with suggestions of berry muffins and strawberry sponge cake. A full bodied and spicy 'Morangie offering a delicious oily quality, - quite chocolatey too, plus a hint of Turkish delight. The port pick-up is slight. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Mind bending complexity...but the Murray method and a half hour of your time is essential to fully understand the extraordinary heights and depths this malt reaches. 95 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
Orange segments sprinkled with black pepper on the nose, then spicy dark chocolate and coffee with cream. More dark chocolate and Jaffa orange on the palate, plus walnuts, almonds, and marzipan. Lengthy in the finish, with soft spices and continuing dark chocolate. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com
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Bass & Flinders Distillery Soft & Smooth Gin (700ml)Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 40%A new Australian gin from the Mornington Peninsula, vapour distilled in small batches. Tasting note: Crystal clear. The floral aroma includes scents of fresh lemon peel, coriander and juniper. Entry is water like, intensifying to moderate concentration by mid palate which is, as the label suggests, satin textured and eminently accessible with its balanced juniper, citrus zest and pepper focus. Finish is bone dry, squeaky clean and in the leaner, lighter range. 40% Alc./Vol. -
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Pol Roger Reserve Brut Champagne (375ml) - Half BottleChampagne, FRANCE$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkA big house cuvee that delivers an authentic Champagne experience.
Pol Roger’s non vintage Brut Reserve is a blend in equal parts of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay sourced from 30 different crus. It also includes 25% reserve wines.
Pours with a frothy mousse that shows good hold. Pale straw coloured with pale gold edges, the base is finely threaded by a steady stream of tiny bubbles. The nose offers up a classic Champagne sniff with baked bread and yeast lees aromas to the fore. Oily toast like notes, cashew and light citrus are also evident. Rich yeasty baked bread, pear and citrus flavours have an airy feel across the palate underscored by elements of toast and cashew. Gently creamed in its texture, it finishes dry and crisp with a long refined aftertaste.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews......
One of my favourite champagne houses. This entry point has one-third each of pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay from 30 crus, 25% reserve wines, spending 4 years on tirage. It has a flowery bouquet, terrific mouthfeel thanks to a hint of honey, and Meyer lemon cleansing the finish and aftertaste.
95 points
James Halliday's Top 100 Wines for 2020 - Luxardo Dei Cesari White Sambuca Liqueur (700ml)Padova, ITALY$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 38%Closure: Cork
This hugely popular sambuca from Luxardo is made by macerating aniseed & elderberries in neutral spirit before maturation in oak vats. Typically served 'Con la mosca' - flamed with three floating coffee beans in the glass. 38% ABV
No tasting notes available.
Click here to learn more about Liqueurs
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Havana Club Especial Rum (700ml)Havana, CUBA$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 40%Havana Club is produced according to careful Cuban tradition from sugar cane of the highest quality. After fermentation of the molasses, called mieles in Cuba (literally honey), an extremely slow distillation process in columns specially designed for Havana Club produces a powerful and aromatic liquor known as aguardiente. This young liquor is aged in white oak casks and then blended with fresh sugarcane distillate to produce ron fresco (fresh rum) which is then successively aged and blended again several times until the maestros roneros (master blenders) are satisfied. The choice of barrels is crucial, as the wood gives colour, aroma and complexity to the liquor. The entire range of Havana Club is aged naturally, with no artificial acceleration – the best guarantee of excellent quality. This is a versatile aged rum making it perfect for the most genuinely Cuban “Cuba Libre” cocktail. Especial is elaborated with rums aged in oak barrels and perfectly balanced by the Maestro Ronero, who selects the barrels for the final blending.
Tasting note: Bright gold colour. Nosing yields powerful aroma of coffee bean, vanilla wafer biscuit and cream. The palate is sweet and medium to full-bodied with honey, nuts and butterscotch flavours. Turns dry at mid palate balancing nicely before the sweetness kicks in again with a subtle brown sugar, mocha aftertaste. Sweet and straightforward. Good choice for mixing with citrus juices. 40% Alc./Vol.
- Australian Distilling Co. Melbourne Gin (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 40%Melbourne is a city that celebrates the old and the new and whatever comes next, transcending traditions and transforming them into that elusive quality that is the city's charm. Distilled in Brunswick, this truly Melbourne spirit uses locally sourced, classic gin botanicals to create a multi layered, balanced blend including juniper, coriander, orris root, pepper, ginger and cinnamon. 40% Alc./Vol.
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Glencadam 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 46%"My God, the guy who put this one together must be a genius, or something." - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible.
Pale straw gold. Opening inhalations include toasted marshmallows followed by melted butter and grain store; the seductive buttery characteristic persists in later passes. Sweet malty entry hints at shortbread while also being mildly grassy. Delicious, sweet, exuberant malt through the middle stages. Ends bright and spicy with hints of lemon barley sugar and orchard fruits. Great length and mouthfeel. Pristine barley is the focus from start to finish. 46% Alc/Vol. Non chill filtered. Tasted from a 20ml sample.
Other reviews... Sophisticated, sensual, salivating and seemingly serene... My God, the guy who put this one together must be a genius, or something. 95 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021
...Impeccable balance from start to finish; clean and structured. The nose is floral and fresh with jasmine, freesia, and apple blossom, plus green pears, lemon, talcum powder, and almond cream. Lemon, coconut, and vanilla form a sweet bright palate that revels in its celebration of malt: Think of apricot jam in a shortbread thumbprint cookie. Sweet and clean finish with persistent lemon, vanilla, and mouthwatering oak.
92 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Spring 2021)Bright fino sherry yellow color; impeccable purity. First scents after the pour are all about new saddle leather/leather gloves, sour malted barley, new spirit, grapefruit then the later sniffs detect more of the grapefruit and a touch of lime but the oak remains hidden while the barley dances a jig. Entry reinforces the grapefruit/tropical fruit asset while the midpalate goes more grainy/malty and sap-like, almost but not quite succulent. Finishes medium long, slightly resiny, leathery, lean but not austere and pleasingly youthful and sprightly. 3 Stars / Recommended - spiritsjournal.com
Silver Medal, International Wine & Spirit Competition London – 2010
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Applewood Distillery Okar Bitters (700ml)Adelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$52. 99Bottle$635.88 DozenABV: 21%After a process of refinement following feedback from fans of Applewood's early efforts, “Okar” now replaces "Red Okar" and Island Bitters in the distillery's line up. Described as “a supreme example of the potential of native Australian Riberries, Native Currants, Blood Limes and Saltbush." Works beautifully in an "Aussie Negroni" or even as a novel twist on an Americano.
2017 Batch tasted... Deep cherry red with garnet / crimson edges. Powerful, fresh bitter-herbal bouquet evokes semi-ripe blackberries, mint, thyme and citrus peel with later passes accenting blackcurrant and lime juice. Drinks as a silky, medium bodied amaro with attractive fruitiness countered by a surge of bay leaf, peppermint, citrus peel and delicately bitter, drying, herbal tea-like notes at the finish. Complex and refreshing.
- Malibu Coconut & Rum Liqueur (700ml)SPAIN$43. 99Bottle$527.88 DozenABV: 21%
Malibu is the number one coconut-flavoured rum in the world with millions of cases sold each year in more than 150 countries. The white bottle, sun device and distinctive palm tree logo sum up Malibu’s Caribbean character. Rum from the West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados (distillers since 1893) accounts for some of the quality of the product. Barbados rums are more delicately flavoured than other rums, with subtle sugar cane and soft butter rum notes – the perfect base to blend with other tropical flavours, such as coconut, pineapple, mango, passion fruit or tropical banana. The result is then blended with natural coconut extract and sugar. Try Malibu with your favourite fruit juice - orange, pineapple or grapefruit – for an easy, delicious taste. 21.0% Alc./Vol.
Classic Cocktail: Pina Colada
The Piña Colada was originally just the juice of a fresh pineapple served either strained (colada) or unstrained (sin colar). One of the earliest references to a drink called a Piña Colada, containing Rum, Coconut and Pineapple was from the April 16, 1950 edition of the New York Times: 'Drinks in the West Indies range from Martinique's famous rum punch to Cuba's piña colada (rum, pineapple and coconut milk). Key west has a variety of lime swizzles and punches, and Granadians use nutmeg in their rum drinks.' The Pina Colada is a delicious, fragrant and mellow drink in itself -- rapidly shaken up with ice, sugar, lime and white rum in delicate proportions.30ml white rum
15ml Malibu
30ml milk
Pineapple Juice
Method: Shake rum, Malibu and milk with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a glass with ice. Fill up with pineapple juice. -
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Maxime Trijol Grande Champagne XO Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 40%Since the Trijol family originally settled as growers and distillers in St Martial Sur Né, in the heart of the Cognac region, they have built on their expertise as growers and producers, becoming full time distillers in 1962. This dual facility maximises quality control throughout the entire production process. Big brand houses (Courvoisier, Hennessy, Martell, and Rémy Martin) do very little distilling themselves. Rather, the 5,000 independent farmers in the region create the majority of Cognac in their own pot stills. The large houses then focus on managing the complex processes of storing, maturation, blending and marketing. Remaining an independent family firm, Trijol has twenty 2,500 litre charentais pot stills and is now one of the region's biggest distillers, actually supplying many of the larger houses. More recently, the company has concentrated on releasing its own cognacs, which have quickly established a reputation for high quality.This release is part of Trijol's "Grande Champagne Collection" which includes six cognacs of varying ages. To seal the deal, it comes handsomely presented in a sleek decanter.
Tasting note: Bright topaz. Excellent glass cling. Opens shy but builds opulence with suggestions of dried fig, nectarine, dates, extra-aged muscat and rancio. Air contact and swirling shifts the bouquet towards orange spice cake, light cinnamon and fruit pastry. Medium to full bodied; sweet oak leads, being momentarily lean, finely tannic; Mid palate bursts with dried apple, pear, fig, nectarine and cream. Comes together beautifully at the finish with vibrant white pepper, cinnamon and lingering cigar box. Impressive length. Beautifully composed XO that continues to evolve with extended breathing. 40% Alc./Vol. Gold Medal at the 2005 London Wine & Spirits Competition -
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Le Gin de Christian Drouin Carmina Gin (700ml)Normandy, FRANCE$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 42%Better known as a Calvados producer, Guillaume Drouin continues exploring new flavour associations in his small batch gins. Seeking a perfect match with apple and juniper, Drouin has signed off on a new blend devoted to red berries. A "one plant at a time" distillation policy lets Drouin keep adjusting proportions so as to obtain the best possible result. Tasting note: [2018 edition] Clear. Pure, lifted aromas of apple sauce, ripe raspberries, fresh orange peel and earthy juniper. Drops a notch in intensity after 2-3 minutes air contact. Delicious fruity / floral delivery combines elderflower, semi-ripe blackberries and refreshing citrus peel to great effect. Ends delicately minty, spicy, expertly balanced with fine astringency. Great contemporary gin. 8550 bottles. 42% Alc./Vol. -
- ABV may vary
Absolut Raspberri (Raspberry) Flavoured Vodka (700ml)Ahus, SWEDEN$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenABV: 38%Everybody knows that the Russian and Polish national spirit, made from rye malt and often potato starch, is vodka. However, one of the best value premium vodkas on todays market actually comes from Sweden. This superb, neutral vodka first appeared in 1979. Distilled from grain grown in the fields of Southern Sweden, Absolut was conceived as a pure product with its own peculiar Swedish identity. The distinctive bottle design was inspired by an antique medicine bottle, while the minimalist logo and absolutely clear glass emphasise the simplicity and purity of the product.
Flavouring vodka is an age old Swedish tradition. Absolut Raspberri is the latest addition to the Absolut flavoured vodka range. Feel the intense burst of natural raspberry blended with the finest vodka distilled from grain grown in the rich fields of Southern Sweden.
Tasting note: The opening perfume is extremely raspberry-like; aeration tones down the jammy intensity a little as the bouquet turns seed-like. The palate entry is fruity, mildly sweet, ripe and pleasant; at midpalate there's a slight embers-on-the-tongue warmth that accompanies the ripe raspberry flavor. Ends comfortably fruity and acidic.
Rating: 85-89 points. - www.wineenthusiast.comOther reviews... Clear. Vibrant raspberry lozenge an pond water aromas. A brisk, buoyant entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body of spicy raspberry jam and pink peppercorn flavors. Finishes with a raspberry powder and talc fade.
International Review of Spirits Award: Bronze Medal
RATED: 82 points (Recommended) - www.tastings.com
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Bonal Gentiane-Quina Aperitif (750ml)FRANCE$35. 99Bottle$431.88 DozenABV: 16%A much-celebrated wine based aperitif made with gentian, quinine and Grand Chartreuse mountain herbs from an 1865 recipe. Often used in place of red vermouth. Tasting note: Translucent burnt sienna brown. Aroma is redolent of prune and grapefruit over secondary notes of quinine and cola. Light to medium bodied; mildly bitter entry is followed by a juicy, bittersweet prune and grapefruit burst; Finishes fresh, pleasantly bitter-sweet, earthy and root-like with faint quinine and grapefruit in the aftertaste. 16% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... 5+ Stars - www.diffordsguide.com
















































