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2017 La Cosette by Yarraloch ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2019-2023)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw colour with a subtle tinge of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Fresh nectarine and white peach aromas mesh with light dried honey and citrusy nougat characters. Medium bodied with good freshness to the fleshy white peach and nectarine fruit, subtle dried honey, biscuity oak and light spice elements also chime in. Lively refreshing finish with an aftertaste of white peaches, nectarine, subtle dried honey, biscuity nougat and spice.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12.5% - The Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas' Own Decanter Bitters (200ml)GERMANY$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenABV: 30%Closure: Cork
The works of 'Professor' Jerry Thomas would be a staple requirement for those in the business of creating cocktails. He has been credited as the first celebrity bartender, pioneering the art of mixology through publications such as The Bar-Tender’s Guide (alternately titled How to Mix Drinks or The Bon-Vivant’s Companion) all back in the late 19th century!
Within this book, arose a unique bitters recipe consisting of raisons, various citrus fruits and spices, designed to be served with Caribbean Rum inside a large decanter (hence its name). These bitters were a sensation in its day, so it's not surprising to learn of its reformulation by the folks at the Bitter Truth Company, who have been busy reviving a swag of other old-time classics.
Experiment with these unique aromatic bitters in a classic old fashioned recipe, or Rum / Whisk(e)y based cocktails
-Gold medal & Best in Class
-Los Angeles International Spirits Competition. - Fee Brothers Grapefruit Bitters (150ml)Rochester, New York, UNITED STATES$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenABV: 17%Closure: Cork
Like adding vinegar to temper the sweetness and round out the flavour of certain dishes, adding bitters to cocktails can provide balance and complexity while increasing aromatics.
Fee Brothers continue to expand their portfolio of unusual bitters. Generally, we've found their products to be more pungent than other bitters on the market, so they offer fantastic value for money by being used sparingly.
Another weapon in the arsenal of the creative bartender. The delicious taste of grapefruit combined with spicy bitters will add an interesting background flavour to any citrus based cocktail. 17.0% Alc./Vol.

Click here for Classic Cocktails.
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2016 Chateau QuintusSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$290. 00Bottle$3480.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2016 Chateau Quintus, of course under the umbrella of Domaine Clarence Dillon (Haut Brion, La Mission Haut Brion), is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc picked between 3 and 20 October. This is the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc since the debut in 2011. Matured in just under 30% new oak, it has a slightly broody bouquet at first with black fruit and hints of allspice and clove. The palate is nicely structured, with the Cabernet Franc lending this impressive backbone (more than the 2015) and a slightly masculine, grippy finish that suggests it will be a long-term proposition. Excellent.
92-94 points
Neal Martin eRobertParker.com #230 (Apr 2017)A tight and concentrated young Quintus with blackberry, blueberry and salt character. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and lightly chewy. Grows on the finish.
94-95 points
James SucklingRipe and structured, this is a concentrated wine from the Clarence Dillon group. The black currant core and bright acidity of the vintage wonderfully balance the palate concentration. It delights in its exuberant freshness, with a grounding base of tannin.
93-95 points
Wine EnthusiastOne of the real surprises of the vintage, the 2016 Quintus is superb. Creamy and ample on the palate, with striking depth to its dark, fleshy fruit, it possesses exceptional balance. All of the previous vintages have been good, but each of them has lacked something. The 2016 is the first vintage in which I can say Quintus is not missing anything. Now, what remains to be seen is how high this wine can go. The 2016 is exceptionally vivid and nuanced, with seemingly endless layers of fruit that virtually cover the tannins, and a long, sublime finish.
93-96+ points
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Brinley Gold Shipwreck Spiced Rum (750ml)Caribbean,$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 36%Created by father-son team Robert and Zachary Brinley with their distillery based in the beautiful Carribean island of St Kitts, Brinley Shipwrecked Spiced Rum is produced utilizing 4-year old Carribean Rum and spiced with Madagascar vanilla, orange, nutmeg, clove, and other tropical spice flavors. Similar to many spiced Rums on the market, Brinley maintains this is best enjoyed as a mixing Rum, but is smooth enough to be enjoyed over ice.
Tasting note: Presents a pale gold in the glass and opens restrained and not especially spicy at all yielding moderate scents of vanilla custard, creme caramel and iced coffee. A light silky entry leads into a light to medium bodied vanilla / mocha profile that's barely spicy, a little flaccid and short. Concludes with a very delicate warmth. Super smooth but lacks personality. 36% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Deep amber color with an olive gray cast. Vibrant aromas of creamy vanilla, butterscotch, and frosted caramel cake follow through on a round supple entry to a fruity medium-to-full body with pure, nicely integrated cinnamon bark and nutmeg seed spiciness and a long, lightly peppery fade. Very stylish and well made. 36% Alc./Vol
International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
RATING: 90 points (Exceptional) - www.tastings.com -
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2014 Chateau d'Yquem (375ml)Sauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews...
The 2014 Yquem was picked over four tries from 5 September to 30 October, a nine-week picking with 25% of the crop brought in before 25 September to obtain freshness. It has beautifully defined on the nose with dried honey, white peach, almond and chamomile and saffron emerging with time. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine acidity, lively and energetic, building wonderfully in the mouth with great sapidity on the finish. What a bloomin’ gorgeous Yquem. Tasted at the château. Drink: 2021-2060.
97 points
Neal Martin - VinousVery subtle Yquem on the nose with dried pineapple, lemons, green apples and hints of botrytis. The palate grabs you by the arms and shows you superb concentration of spices, dried fruit, phenolics and incredible energy. Nothing is like this from Sauternes this vintage! Drink whenever you like. Spellbinding.
98 points
James SucklingUtterly great Yquem. A laser beam of acidity (3.6 pH) and lemony botrytis lifts and extends extremely pure aromas and sweet flavours (134 g/L of residual sugar) of tangerine, vanilla, pineapple and minerals. Less rich than the 2001 and ’09, but purer and fresher. I wonder if 25% Sauvignon Blanc isn’t just 5% too much?
97 points
DecanterApricot tones with lively acidity give this rich wine a vein of freshness. Pear and white peach notes offer weight, while a lime backbone brings levity. There is a richness from the botrytis that is lifted by this wines delicious freshness.
98 points
Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast - Buller Wines Calliope Grand Rutherglen Topaque (500ml)Rutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$150. 00Bottle$1800.00 DozenABV: 18%Closure: Screw CapNotes from Bullers... Rich honey toffee and cold tea characters balanced with wood aged rancio. The finish is long and complex. 18% Alc./Vol.
- Generous Gin (700ml)FRANCE$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 40%A beautifully presented gin from France, made from a combination of juniper, citrus, mandarin, red pepper, jasmine & elder flower. This is the sister product to 'Generous Organic Gin' and is summed up as 'Fresh & aromatic'. 40% Alc./Vol.
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Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$165. 00Bottle$1980.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkA blend of 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier, Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose is considered the reference point for non vintage Rose Champagne. It consistently outshines other houses in terms of both quality and value for money. Aging takes place on lees for 36 months and the blend includes 40% reserve wines.
A frothy white mousse holds well over a salmon pink coloured base that has a very fine and persistent bead flowing through it. Streaming out of the glass are delightful aromas of peach and strawberry which are followed by hints of brioche, yeast lees and ginger. Racy pear, strawberry and yeast lees flavours meld into subtle baked bread and mineral characters. The satiny textured mid palate counterpointed by crisp nervy acidity on the finish which lends a vividly refreshing effect to the long aftertaste.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews….
The NV Champagne Brut Rose is an attractive pale salmon hue, with a fresh perfume of wild strawberry, ripe peach, white and red flowers, a hint of tropical fruit, and grapefruit. The palate is rounded, with fruit up front and through the mid-palate, and it has a silky and fresh lift. There is a wonderful ease and drinkability to this wine, which delivers balance and finesse. Drink 2022-2037.
94 points
Audrey Frick – JebDunnuck.comBillecart-Salmon is one of my favorite Champagne houses, and their non-vintage Rose (Lot #L85547401905M) is a consistent winner. A delicate pink color is accompanied by gorgeous sweet cherry, strawberry, and mineral-like scents, assertive medium-bodied flavors, a delicate, crisp personality, and surprising depth as well as persistence. A beautiful berry character in the finish adds to this impeccable rose’s captivating style.
94 points
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate #162 (Dec 2005)Composed with 30 per cent from each of pinot noir and pinot meunier, and 40 per cent chardonnay. It has 40 per cent reserve wine, and spends three years on tirage. It is the go-to rosé for wine professionals, with nuances of juicy/poached red berry fruits, yet finishes dry and fresh.
96 points
James Halliday's Top 100 Wines of 2022
Billecart-Salmon has long been at the forefront of the rosé champagne field, their supremely elegant and gloriously fragrant style counting its fans in legions. A beautifully bright rose gold in the glass. Dried strawberries, fading pink petals, ginger and raspberry danish notes. Softy curvy, graceful and elegant through a gently zippy finish. Pink perfection.
95 points
Nick Ryan - Weekend Australian 2024 - The Simple Syrup Co. Crawley's Bartender Vanilla Bean Syrup (750ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenIntense dark vanilla bean hand scrapings suspended in natural caramels make for a wonderful relationship with Mojitos and dark spirit based drinks, not to mention, premium milk shakes, hot chocolate, coffee, homemade lemonade and strawberry ice-cream. Best before 3 months after opening and shake before use. Non alcoholic.
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Remy Martin XO Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$340. 00Bottle$4080.00 DozenABV: 40%Composed of over 400 eaux-de-vie and aged up to 35 years, this Fine Champagne Cognac is based on fruit from the region's two best crus: 85% Grande Champagne and 15% Petite Champagne.
Other reviews... With a deep amber hue and mellow vanilla aroma, this lush Cognac opens with cocoa powder, vanilla and dried cherry and fig. Hints of violet and clove dry to a walnut finish. 94 points - wineenthusiast.com
A Fine Champagne par excellence. Colour: Light mahogany. Nose: Candyfloss with marzipan and white chocolate overtones. Palate: There is an immediate pepperiness in this Cognac; early jasmine floral notes transform into cedar, walnut and Christmas pudding flavours with sweet, palm sugar and dates to lead a balanced and harmonious finish. Comment: Enjoy in front of an open fireplace, in a comfortable chair with a cigar. Alc/Vol: 40%
- Franz Scheurer, AGT Wine Magazine, Cognac Tasting 27th May 2005. - Absente 55 Absinthe (700ml)Provence, FRANCE$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 55%Closure: Cork
Absinthe was the trademark drink during the heady days of 19th century Paris. Famous artists, writers and poets like Picasso, Baudelaire, Hemingway, Degas, Manet, Toulouse-Lautrec and Oscar Wilde all heavily indulged in it. Maybe it was the mystical allure of 'The Green Fairy', or maybe it helped inspire their creativity. Absente, or 'Absinthe Refined', is a modern version of the original Absinthe recipe. While it retains the same aromatics and emerald green colour, its difference is that the Wormwood, (the botanical that caused the initial ban), has been replaced with a less bitter cousin called Southern-Wormwood, also known as 'Petite Absinthe'.
FOOD AND WINE MAGAZINE, December 2000 DRINKS HONORS: SPIRITS OF THE YEAR AWARDS.
BEST NEW 'ABSINTHE': 'ABSENTE'.
Other reviews...The nose is predominately anise, but some light floral aromas and a suggestion of citrus zest lurk in the backdrop. The medium body presents a dryish palate that's similar to the nose, but with a sophisticated touch of bitter herbs. 55% Alc./Vol. 94 points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine. -
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2018 Chateau Gruaud LaroseSaint Julien, Bordeaux, FRANCE$185. 00Bottle$2220.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2018 Gruaud Larose is blended of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, with a pH of 3.88 and 14.2% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps from the glass with bold black cherries, mulberries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial scents with hints of menthol, lilacs, licorice and cloves plus wafts of fallen leaves and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied with a taut core of ripe, densely packed, muscular fruit, it has a firm line of ripe, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. Very exotic Gruaud!
95-97 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine AdvocateThis is really generous and rolls off the tongue with ripe and velvety tannins and a fresh undertone. Full-bodied, firm and silky. Extremely long and flavorful. Very complex already.
95-96 points
James SucklingThe 2018 Gruaud Larose is inky, jammy and full-bodied. Crème de cassis, blackberry jam, spice, lavender and mint give the 2018 much of its extroverted personality. Gruaud Larose is one of the most extroverted wines on the Left Bank. The richness and elevated ripeness is evident in the 2018. It will be interesting to see what élevage brings. For my taste, Gruaud is on the edge of being too much. The blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc.
89-92 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous -
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Michel Couvreur Clearach Single Malt Whisky (700ml)Burgundy, FRANCE$134. 99Bottle$1619.88 DozenABV: 43%Tasting note: Produced from malt distilled in Scotland and matured between 2 to 3 years in fresh PX sherry casks. Slightly cloudy, pale gold/ brassy colour. Mildly prickly, restrained opening sniff. Meek breakfast cereal aromas, followed by hints of dried fruit and a faint rubbery edge. Doesn't really budge even after several minutes coaxing in the glass. Clean, dryish, light to medium bodied profile delivers a malty, cereal mid palate, thinning out towards the finish which is vanilla wafer like and carried by the spices. Simple and raw.43% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... Colour: gold. No new make, obviously, but virtual whisky that’s younger than 3 years. Nose: vanilla and praline plus fudge and café latte. Whiffs of yellow wild flowers and a little smoke. More mature than many 10yo malts on the nose. Mouth: very sweet and very malty. A certain harshness, typical of very young whiskies. Vanilla and quite some oak (ginger and nutmeg). A very active cask it seems. Finish: medium long, getting even spicier (white pepper). Comments: well, I don’t know what this would have become over time, it’s already rather woody, albeit pleasantly so. 73 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com Burgundy is a place full of personalities at the high end of the passion scale, especially when it comes to food and drink - perhaps none more so than a Belgian who is presently maturing Scotch Whisky in the heart of the famous French wine region. The fellow in question is Michel Couvreur, and he's a man on a mission when it comes to Scotch Whisky. Entering from the wine trade, his is an increasingly familiar story within the whisky industry. He'd already established a business in the early 1950s in Scotland selling Burgundy wines when in 1978, French friends suggested that he add a top quality Scotch to his portfolio. So began Couvreur’s interest in the whisky industry from which he developed his ultra-traditionalist perspective on oak. He maintains (more radically than others in the industry) that 90% of a whisky’s quality comes from the cask, and only 10% of the quality comes from the distillation process. In the 1970s, American bourbon casks gradually replaced port and sherry casks for the maturation of Scotch whisky, a great tragedy, according to Couvreur, as it changed the essence of a product that had European barrels at its core. In a personal crusade, Couvreur settled in Bouze-les-Beaune (close to the Burgundian town of Beaune, France), where he opened a customs bonded cellar and began selecting his own sherry casks (Pedro Ximenez and Palomino) from the Andalusia region of Spain. Some readers will be aware, since the 1970's, sherry ceased to be shipped to UK in wood. Whisky producers have now to go and select their casks at sherry bodegas, paying a premium on top of transport costs. It's partly for this reason that Michel Couvreur's cellar is located in Burgundy, half-way between Scotland and Andalusia, with straight motorways from Jerez de la Frontera to Beaune. Courveur's "Scotch" starts out in Scotland as bulk a.k.a.“clearach” (a high proof distillate) which is transferred to his humid cellar in Bouze-les-Beaune to be aged in small sherry casks that have been impregnated with 25 years aging via traditional soleras. All required dilutions are accomplished with bottled water from Scotland. Total production is about 50,000 bottles or 4,000 cases annually. A small selection of these artisan matured spirits has just arrived in Australia. -
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- Batch may vary
- ABV may vary
- Nicks Import
Kavalan Solist Moscatel Sherry Cask Strength Single Malt Taiwanese Whisky (750ml)TAIWAN$550. 00Bottle$6600.00 DozenABV: 57.1%NB: Alc./Vol. may vary from batch to batch.
Other reviews... Initially quiet, the nose opens to a classic ex-bourbon vanilla-toffee nose, the notes of cherry the proverbial cake topping. Exquisite mouth: clean, sweet and balanced, the fruit rides the high alcohol content effortlessly. Dry, but not overly so, the finish is long and sweet, the toffee notes positively singing. 57.1% Alc./Vol. Gold Medal. World Whisky Awards 2016
...Rich and intense nose, with paradise cake, honey, dried apple, plum, and crème d’abricot. The mouthfeel is dry, nutty, and fruity, with a silky consistency. The cask strength is more noticeable here, but as it dissipates, there is some late complexity of plum skin and coffee bean with wave after effortless wave of flavor lasting for minutes on end. Finish is hot and nutty, with moist coffee grains.
93 points - whiskyadvocate,com, reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Spring 2017) -
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Salamandre Eaux de Vie Prune d'Ente Plum Brandy (700ml)Sarlat, FRANCE$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 46%A brandy aged for over eight years and produced from 'Ente Plums' - a variety typically used for the production of prunes. The result is something in between Calvados and Cognac but different again. This regularly wins the highest honors at Parisian agricultural shows, and it's easy to understand why. A superb bouquet of prunes, dried figs and grape must gives way to sweeter scents of marzipan, dates and Turkish Delight. Vibrant, fresh and flavour-packed; fruit cake and prune are followed by a fresh, piney, peppery surge with hints of Turkish Delight, beeswax, sweet spice and a rush of dried fruits that seemingly never ends. A revelatory spirit and a must-try for any brandy enthusiast. Enjoy as a digestif. 46% Alc./Vol.
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Antipodes Organic Gin (700ml)AUSTRALIA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 45%Australia's first certified organic gin. Triple distilled with native and traditional botanicals and cut back with pure Australian rainwater. Tasting note: Crystal clear. Attractive scents of lemon meringue / home made lemonade with subtle background notes of white pepper and pine needle. Creamy, semi-sweet lemon sorbet profile with a citrus accented finish and a medium long, gently spiced, faint juniper and lemonade aftertaste. 45% Alc./Vol. -
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Bunnahabhain XXV 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$699. 00Bottle$8388.00 DozenABV: 46.3%Now generally recognised as one of the high points in big age statement Islay malt.
Rich, sherried, delicately smokey and beautifully nuanced - older Bunnah's can be nothing short of sublime. A regular heavy hitter in the awards department (WWA Category Winner 2017, San Fran Double Gold 2016), this non chill filtered version of the 25-year-old was launched in 2010 and initially ran to just 400 bottles. Upping the ABV to 46.3% has made a great whisky even better, and it's now positioned as the ‘super-premium’ member of the core range. This is lightly peated compared to most Islays, with the Sherry input and extended maturation further softening the smokey notes. Plenty of oak influence is evident in the opening sniffs, with the aroma deepening to stewed pear / apple pie and vanilla. The accent shifts towards light ginger before the final pass releases surprising notes of Turkish Delight. Medium dry delivery with the lively spirit gently nipping the tongue; mid palate is delicately peppery with a grainy / oatmeal-like edge and an oily finish. It demonstrates serious staying power as light cocoa and oatmeal biscuit flavours carry into the aftertaste. Ageing slowly, one senses this could easily go another decade. Although the exact cask regime isn't stated, it reported to be a mix of refill bourbon and refill sherry casks (more bourbon than sherry) before being transferred into 1st fill and 2nd fill Oloroso sherry casks for a short finishing period. 46.3% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... No major blemishes here at all. Carefully chosen sherry butts of the highest quality (well, except maybe one) and a malt with enough character to still get its personality across after 25 years. Who could ask for more? 94 points. - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2018
...Aka XXV. I really liked a version that was bottled around 2009 (WF 87). Colour: amber. Nose: starts a little strange, kind of ‘cheesy’ and winey at the same time. Isn’t there more sherry than in earlier versions? Or is this one from fresher casks? Goes on with a lot of chocolate, bags or heavily roasted malt and, maybe a little too much struck matches. Yes, sulphur. Also blackcurrant buds. Was this baby ‘finished’? Very unlikely but you never know… Mouth: same feeling but this is rounder and fruitier. Again, the wine is loud and Bunnahabhain’s usual honeyed and delicately raisiny style doesn’t really shine through. Having said that, it’s very pleasant and gets maltier by the minute, before our beloved ‘Bunny’ starts to come out indeed. Quite some orange marmalade, honey, sultanas… And a nice saltiness. Finish: not very long but clean and (even) more on dried fruits, sweet, the ‘winey’ wine influence having become much more discreet as such. A little salt again in the aftertaste. Comments: I was not fond of the nose but the palate is pretty impeccable. Enough so to warrant 85 points in my little book. 85 points- whiskyfun.com
...Bunnahabhain 25 is a whisky that I truly feel is worth the money if you have experience with scotch and are looking for a special bottle for yourself or someone extremely close to you. In fact, I almost want to say don’t share this with anyone, it’s that good. Certainly among the top official bottlings I’ve had from a distillery. That finish though. Like a crack in the Sistine Chapel ceiling. It’s the only flaw holding this back from being divine. Instead, it is simply phenomenal. - maltreview.com
The Bunnahabhain distillery on Islay is probably the most isolated, yet also one the most grand and attractive buildings of its kind on the island. Water is piped down from streams on the Margdale Hills and is considered less peaty than most on Islay. The operation remains firmly set in tradition although the company now imports its own raw materials. The labelling is reminiscent of Bunnahabhain's coastal setting, and utilises words and imagery from the ballad 'Westering Home' (to Islay.) The poetry is more romantic than the reality - there have been 250 recorded wrecks around the coast of Islay including that of a large trawler which has lain nearby the Bunnahabhain distillery for over twenty years! Nevertheless, the charm of the label remains undiminished.
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Maxime Trijol VSOP Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 40%Tasting note: Presents the same deep colour as the VS, but with more complexity on the nose: Dried figs, prunes, raisin cake and rum soaked tobacco follow in a silky, medium dry cognac; slightly lighter than the VS, but feels better integrated and offers better length. Sweet spice and oak close the finish. 40% Alc./Vol. Notes from the producer... Golden yellow. Fruity and floral on the nose and palate, with a long-lasting gaiety. The tannins from the oak have helped it to develop to the beginnings of maturity. A harmonious cognac. Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition -
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Amrut Kadhambam Single Malt Indian Whisky (700ml)Bangalore, INDIA$240. 00Bottle$2880.00 DozenABV: 50%In the Tamil dialect, Kadhambam means 'mixture' or 'combination'; Aptly named given this is matured in rum, sherry and brandy barrels resulting in a singular whisky. Polished copper. A densely packed aroma, as you come to expect from this distillery; a fusion of sweet spices, charry oak and nuttiness on the nose. Quite bound up. 3-4 minutes draws out a peaty aspect as smouldering cedar and burning pine cone (?) develop. Big but not overbearing with the weighty malt supported by lively peppers and dried fruit characteristcs in the mouth. Ends lightly acidic, tannic and chewy with woody cigar box notes and flashes of dried fruits in the fade. With everything seemingly happening at once, perhaps the definition is obscured. One barrel too many in the mix? 50% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Proof, if it were still needed, that Amrut intends to cement its position as the leading innovator in world whisky. Kadhambam is the sweetest of Amruts, as a result of a complex maturation process that has seen peated Amrut matured in local brandy and rum casks. There's a liqueur-like edge to it as a result, but it's a complex malt, with cherry blossom, peppercorn, and apple peel in the mix. Not the distillery's best, but very, very drinkable. 89 points - whiskyadvocate.com (Spring 2014) Reviewed by: Dominic Roskrow
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Cazcabel Honey Tequila Liqueur (700ml)MEXICO$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 34%Tasting note: Reportedly the world's only Honey Tequila, produced from a 3-month-old blanco with added Manuka and Mexican honey. Pale gold. Fascinating floral-soft aromas evoke frankincense, myrrh, rose petals. Air contact accents beeswax, vanilla and citrus zest. Creamy and semi-sweet with zero burn. Evolves subtle smokey agave and incense-like notes amid rich, floral honey; Well balanced with smoldering acacia and rose petal countering the sweetness. An exotic addition to a classic liqueur category. 34% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... Gold: World Spirits Awards 2016 -
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Hellyer's Road Whisky Cream Liqueur (700ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$48. 99Bottle$587.88 DozenABV: 17%Closure: Screw CapHellyer's Road Distillery, owned & operated by Betta Milk have combined both aspects of the business to produce this wonderful liqueur. The distillery is located next door to Betta Milk's Burnie facility and couldn't possibly be better placed to receive the fresh cream which makes this liqueur so distinctive. It employs a base of Hellyer's Road Original Whisky and Southern Lights Vodka, blended with fresh cream and a dash of 'topping' not dissimilar to what you'd have on your ice cream.
When we were first introduced to this wonderful liqueur, we must confess we were rather sceptical. Yet another cream liqueur in an already saturated market category. So we put the Hellyer's Road liqueur to the test at our Malvern store and we were quite taken aback when almost everyone who tasted it (female and male) purchased a bottle. The fact of the matter is that the Australians are now doing a better job of it than the Irish. We're sure it won't just be your mother coming back for seconds. Impenetrable beige colour, the liqueur clings to the glass with viscosity akin to paint. Wonderful top note of white chocolate, with hints of hazelnut, caramel and vanilla bean. The palate texture is wondrous. The fusion of fresh whipped cream and whisky creates a luscious and powerful drink that delivers a perfect reflection of the flavours offered by the nose, counterpointed by a firm, very gently warming spirit backbone. Good length. Perfect balance. Aftertaste of cafe-creme, milk chocolate and hazelnut with a gentle spirit afterglow. Moreish.17.0% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The folks who started Hellyers Road Distillery back in the 1990s were dairy farmers who wanted to diversify their business in the face of challenging conditions so, in many ways, this product is the liquid legacy of that decision. With nearly 30 years on the market, it’s become a true Australian favourite, combining Tasmanian dairy with Tasmanian whisky for a local version of Baileys that’s as Australian as ugg boots. But unlike Baileys, this won’t leave you with a weird film on your tongue from what I can only guess is lots of thickeners and preservatives. Instead, here we have real cream that you can both smell and taste, with a balanced sweetness and an aroma that will remind you of Nanna scalding milk for hot chocolate. Sweet, yes, but not overly so, and with just enough kick from Hellyers’ robust whisky style, this is a classic Aussie spirit that’s hard to fault. 95 points - Fred Siggins, winecompanion.com.au
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Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 40%For over a century, Aberfeldy has maintained a hidden profile as the backbone of the famous Dewar’s blends (the best-selling Scotch in America as well as the distillery’s corporate owner). Aberfeldy's own line of re-vamped single malts started to roll out in 2014, with a five-strong range. Sales have since increased significantly. Situated between the Highlands and the Lowlands, the distillery is sometimes referred to as a 'Mid-Lowlander' and is considered one of the sweetest of all Scottish single malts, the result of extended fermentations coupled with slow distillation. Its approachable style has a honeycomb - breakfast cereal character and can be deliciously fruity. Sherried variants like the very successful 16 year old reveal a gutsier side of the distillate.
When it comes to the entry-level 12 year old, initial impressions are of fruit salad with scents of unripe canteloupe most salient along side dustings of dried coconut. Five minutes sees the fruity edge only slightly diminished. It's light and silky on entry but builds into a soft, light to medium bodied, elegant malt, the fruity / vanilla combination repeating at mid palate, followed by hints of oatmeal with moderate length. In short, an amiable 'Highlander' that's clearly intended for casual drinking. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... bright and lively, the sweetly honeyed cereal and buttery biscuits of a predominantly bourbon-barreled single malt (plus some refill and a touch of sherry) are immediate on both nose and palate. It’s approachable and comes across as just a little green but otherwise fully uncomplicated, with the focus squarely on well-sweetened grain notes as the palate builds. The finish offers just a touch of spice and at least nods toward the oak barrel, but it never attempts to complicate what comes across as an affordable sipper to get the night started. - drinkhacker.com
Golden and bright in the glass, the aroma suggests caramel apples. The palate shows plenty of oak and spice, opening with sandalwood and vanilla, plus a hint of baked apple. Adding water brings a mellow, malty effect, bringing in honey, ginger and a final flurry of cinnamon. 91 points - wineenthusiast.com
Fresh and floral, with lively tropical fruit, honey, and vanilla. Gentle on the palate, with a slight syrupy texture to its malty foundation. Youthful, orange marmalade finish with a hint of spice. A pleasant, easy-going whisky. 82 points
- maltadvocate.com, 4th Quarter 2006 Issue-Vol. 15#4... Nose: Beautifully intense malt with a cidery-apple fruitiness. Gentle oak and honey round off superbly. Palate: Fresh, almost crisp mouthfeel with outstanding sweet maltiness and an almost Irish pot-still firm fruitiness. Mouthwatering. Finish: Softly spiced with a long, rich malt follow-through. Comment: Really outstanding example of massively complex, classy but undiscovered malt. 85 points - Jim Murray, whiskymag.com
Gold Medal - Distillers' Single Malts 12 years and under - 2020 International Spirits Challenge
- Grand Gold Medal – Monde Selection, Belgium
- Gold Medal – Concours Mondial, Belgium
- Silver Medal – International Wine and Spirits Competition - Buffalo Trace Distillery Bourbon Cream Liqueur (700ml)CANADA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 15%Reportedly the only cream liqueur currently on the market that uses bourbon solely as a spirit base. Most others use a heavy proportion of vodka. Enjoy chilled on its own, on the rocks, in coffee or with your favourite dessert. Keep refrigerated after opening. 15% Alc./Vol. No tasting notes available.
- El Dorado 3 Year Old White Rum (700ml)GUYANA$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 40%A satisfying mixing rum, twice filtered through natural charcoal for clarity and purity, then aged for at least 3 years in 45 gallon ex-bourbon oak casks. Ideal for all cocktails – especially Caribbean and South American styles. 40% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... 93 points - Exceptional - The Beverage Tasting Institute of Chicago.
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
Zonte's Footstep Bolle Felici ProseccoFleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$25. 99Bottle$311.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesABV: 10%Closure: Diam CorkPours with a white frothy mousse that shows good hold. Very pale straw base wine colour with an exceptionally fine and very persistent bead. Pear and apple aromas dominate the nose with some light sherbet notes also present. Light and fresh, lively pear and apple flavours overlay some delicate tropical fruits and sherbet. Clean crisp dry finish. Aftertaste of pear, ripe apple and sherbet.
Drink now.
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Dassai 39 Junmai Daiginjo Sake (720ml)Yamaguchi, JAPAN$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 16%Closure: Plastic StopperDassai, brewed by Asahi Shuzo in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is dedicated exclusively to Junmai Daiginjo sake made with the highest level of rice polishing for purity and elegance. Using only Yamada Nishiki, the most prized sake rice, Dassai embraces a supremely modern approach, blending tradition with innovation. Unlike most breweries that follow a seasonal brewing cycle, Dassai operates year-round, refining their techniques to achieve precision and consistency. The result is a range of exceptionally smooth, fragrant, and expressive sake that has gained a global following.
Striking a balance between elegance and depth, Dassai 39 embodies the harmony of meticulous craftsmanship and expressive character. It offers a polished yet approachable take on the Dassai style.
Tasting Note: Pours a pale, water white colour in the glass. Displays a highly engaging nose of white florals, strawberry and cream, along with green melon, honeydew, and a hint of spearmint lift. The palate is equally as pretty with flavours very much fruit driven rather than the more common rice and yeast notes. Green melon, white peach, and pear lead out, supported by nougat, cream, with a touch of jasmine rice and subtle sweetness on the finish the only clue to its origin. What stands out is how elegant and pure this sake is, showing more in common with an aromatic white wine than is the norm. A very modern take, and one well suited to clean and fresh food matches such as kingfish sashimi or shellfish dishes. Highly recommended. Serve chilled.
Alc 16%
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Trentham The Family ProseccoMurray Darling, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$13. 99Bottle$167.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now (2019)ABV: 11%Closure: Diam CorkPours with a heady white mousse. Very pale straw colour finely threaded by a delicate bead. Aromas of red apples and pears are trailed by some light baked characters and subtle lemon sherbet notes. Fluffy in its feel the palate has flavours of juicy red apples and pears over lemon sherbet infusions. Dry crisp, refreshing finish with a medium length aftertaste. A good value quaffer.
Drink now.
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Maidenii Sweet Vermouth (750ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$47. 99Bottle$575.88 DozenABV: 16%Closure: CorkMaidenii Vermouth is a collaboration between French wine maker Gilles Lapalus and Australian bartender Shaun Byrne. In the creation of Maidenii they have sourced leaves, flowers, fruits, herbs, seeds, spices and roots from the gardens of both the old world and the new. The vital components, wormwood and wine, are plucked fresh from Victoria. Other key ingredients include strawberry gum, river mint, sea parsley and wattle seed.
Shaun has been tinkering behind the bar of Melbourne martini haven Gin Palace for over 5 years. This has helped him nurture his interest in capturing and enhancing natural flavours, arising in house-made concoctions and a sophisticated understanding of palates.
Born of a French wine family, Gilles has wine flowing through his veins. He crossed the globe to take over the position of Winemaker at the dynamic Sutton Grange Winery.
The two were bought together by their love of Vermouth; Gilles bringing with him the traditional alchemy of pastoral Europe to complement Shaun’s knowledge of the vibrant food and drink culture of Australia’s young cities.
Tasting note: Bright crimson / cherry appearance. Moderate aroma issues an attractive combination of citrus peel and black fruits with subtle herbaceous undertones. A soft, silky entry is followed by a light to medium bodied mid palate with semi sweet flavours of blood orange and sweet spices. Finish is gently acidic and cleansing - certainly not overly sweet by any measure. Nicely balanced. Concludes with refreshing grape fruit and dried berry notes followed by a gently bitter fade. A welcome entry into a category that of late has become excessively sweet. 16% Alc./Vol.
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml) - 1990s BottlingSCOTLAND$450. 00Bottle$5400.00 DozenABV: 43%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
A now rare Blue Label bottled at 43% ABV.
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2015 Delas Cote-Rotie La LandonneCote Rotie, Northern Rhone, FRANCE$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
There are two Côte Rôties and the top cuvée is the utterly sensational 2015 Côte Rôtie La Landonne, which should be a candidate for perfection when it’s released. Coming all from the La Landonne lieu-dit and made from 100% Syrah that will see 18 months in 40% new French oak, it offers a huge, layered and ripe style, as well as notes of blueberries, blackberries, crushed violets, graphite and minerality. It has sweet tannin, but there are plenty of them, so it’s not for those looking for instant gratification.
96-100 points
Jeb Dunnuck - Wine Advocate #228 (Dec 2016)Very impressive dark stony and peppery aromas with ripe blackberry and licorice. Attractive brooding style. The palate has a wealth of spicy blackberry fruit flavors. Plush tannins and a warming mocha-dusted finish. Drink from 2020.
94 points
James SucklingDark purple. Potent smoke- and spice-accented aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, licorice and violet, enlivened by a zesty mineral element. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering deeply concentrated boysenberry and cassis flavors and suggestions of star anise, olive and allspice. The smoky quality repeats emphatically on an extremely long, sweet finish framed by smooth tannins.
93-95 points
Josh Raynolds - Vinous -
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Cappelletti Rabarbaro Sfumato Amaro Digestif Liqueur (750ml)ITALY$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 20%Cappelletti is a fourth generation herbalist from Aldeno Trento in the North East of Italy, producing Aperitivi and Amari. Otherwise known as 'Smoky rhubarb,' this wine-based recipe is a variation on spirit based amaros that employ gentian or quinine for the main bittering agents. Instead, Cappelletti use a variety of rhubarb root combined with alpine herbs and berries. Tasting note: Pours a viscous, turbid, umber brown with gold ochre edges. Peaks on the nose with an amalgam of intense earthy, rooty, woody aromas followed by cigar box, smouldering cedar and pipe tobacco. Creamy with gently bittersweet flavours of kumquat, liquorice root, smoked herb, bitter peel. Dries at the finish. Ends pleasantly bitter with a subtle smokey dried herb aftertaste. 20% Alc./Vol. - Antioqueno Aguardiente Sin Azucar - Sugar Free (750ml)COLOMBIA$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenABV: 29%Aguardiente Antioqueno is Colombia's and the world's largest selling Aguardiente. It is the nation's traditional drink, related closely to the regional celebrations and constumbres of the Colombian people, specially in Antioch where the farmers incorporate it to their own tastes. A natural anise-flavoured spirit derived from sugar cane distillate, the drink's popularity has been strong since the Spanish era, maintained in the Andean regions of Columbia, but not so often drunk in cocktails, rather usually enjoyed neat as a shot. Tasting note: Like a vodka infusion, this is subdued with light liquorice and anise aromas, followed by hints of crushed ant; Clean anise flavours on the palate; easy drinking, brisk and bone dry to finish. 29% Alc./vol.
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2016 Chateau Phelan SegurSaint Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE$150. 00Bottle$1800.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
Another sleeper from Saint-Estèphe, the 2016 Phélan Ségur is super impressive. An enticing bouquet laced with crushed rocks, graphite, iron, smoke, lavender, mint and inky blue/purplish fruit makes a strong opening statement. A wine of power, resonance and gravitas, the 2016 Phélan is remarkably expressive and also full of potential. Tasted two times. Drink 2024-2041.
94 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous (Dec 2018)A very serious St.-Estèphe with excellent concentration, firm tannins and a dark soul. I love the earth, walnut, bark and smoke aromas that pour out of this. Very long, dramatic, dry finish. Better from 2021.
95 points
James Suckling (Jan 2019)Showing beautifully on multiple occasions, the 2016 Château Phélan Ségur is incredibly impressive and reveals a saturated purple as well as pure cassis, violets, damp earth, lead pencil, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. Beautifully layered and textured, concentrated, with fine tannins and the purity and elegance that make the vintage so compelling front and center, it’s a high-class Saint Estèphe to enjoy over the coming 20-25 years or more. Drink 2019-2044.
94 points
Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2019)Gorgeous brambly blackcurrant and cassis fruit on the nose with touches of hawthorn brambles adding acidity and freshness. This is closed and yet you can clearly see the muscle and potential of what is going on in the glass. Just a stunning wine, proof once again of how 2016 is an outstanding vintage in Bordeaux. Tons of St Estèphe typicity, tons of confident tannic hold, this is excellent and delivers exactly what you want from this vintage. Great stuff from Phélan Ségur. A fitting last vintage under the Gardinier brothers. 3.64pH. Drink 2022-2044.
95 points
Jane Anson - Decanter (Apr 2020) -
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Husk Distillers Ink Dry Gin (700ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 43%First unveiled at the Australian Boutique Drinks Festival 'Top Shelf' in August 2015, NSW producers 'Husk Distillers' made quite the stir with their Australian Ginnovation, 'Ink Dry Gin'.
Based in Tumbulgum, NSW (North of Byron Bay), distiller Paul Messenger has incorporated 14 botanicals into the mix, highlighting juniper, locally grown lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepper berries and the exotic bois bande. Yet, for most, the star of the show are the 'Butterfly pea flowers' (often used as a colourant in Southeast Asian cooking), which have resulted in an eye-catching bluish/violet coloured gin. The flowers have an incredibly sensitive pH balance, meaning even the slightest shift in acidity can turn a beverage from deep blue, to a pink blush, i.e. Tonic!
The distillery has also produced an Australian Agricole (sugar cane) styled Rum and cane spirit, both of which are outstanding.
Tasting notes: Striking translucent French blue colour with mauve edges. Intriguing, floral soft aromas develop juniper, lemon gelato, thyme, sweet oregano and white pepper following through with bright and zesty flavours of lemon gelato, late juniper, white pepper and pleasing spirit warmth. Turns delicately bitter; hints of thyme and distant juniper in the fade. A novel floral-citrusy style to enjoy on its own, with minimal dilution or in dazzling cocktails. 43% Alc./Vol.
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Imbue Distillery All Seasons Gin Liqueur (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 35%Tasting note: [Batch 2] Reminiscent of a whisky liqueur, this viscous, heartwarming, golden coloured elixir exudes aromas and flavours of honey, aniseed, marzipan and dried herbs with notes of Christmas spice cake through the aftertaste. Delicious as is, or mix it with ginger beer and fresh citrus for a spicy spritz. 35% Alc./Vol. - Gordon & Macphail Discovery Caol Ila 13 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 43%‘Discovery’ is the second range to launch as part of the updated G&M portfolio, with the packaging taking a major leap forward. Designed to help whisky drinkers begin an exploratory journey, the whiskies are grouped and colour-coded under three flavour profiles - ‘Smoky', ‘Sherry’ and ‘Bourbon’. The first expressions to be released include Balblair, Tormore, Miltonduff and Caol Ila, all matured in Gordon & MacPhail’s own hand-selected casks. Citrus and tropical fruit notes are typical from maturation in bourbon barrels. Add Caol Ila's peaty, cured meat notes and you get one genuinely fruity/smokey lipsmacking dram. Notes from the bottlers... Aroma: Sweet and savoury: dry-cured meats glazed with luscious apricot jam combines with rich vanilla notes. Flashes of softly swirling peat smoke complement the delicious sweetness. Taste: Bursting with juicy tropical fruit - pineapple, kiwi, and banana - brushed softly with icing sugar. Light touches of malt and vibrant lemon peel balance the sweetness. Finish: Long and luxurious with hints of sweet marshmallow toasting over gently smouldering bonfire embers. 43% Alc./Vol.
- G.E. Massenez Liqueur de Curacao Triple Sec Liqueur (500ml)Alsace, FRANCE$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 35%
Oranges, the exotic fruit that forms the basis of all Triple Sec, were originally from the Indies and China. The crusades introduced them to Europe from Palestine via Portugal. The original orange “curacao” was made with fruit from the Island of Curacao. However, the term now embraces a wide variety of liqueurs made from oranges and other produce as well (examples from Cointreau, Combier and Bols come to mind.) Water white and highly rectified, White Curacao Triple Sec is created using only the peel of the orange, soaking it in water followed by distillation and rectification.
Uncompromising on quality, G.E. Massenez is today universally acclaimed for his 'eaux de vie' (fruit brandies) as well as his crème liqueurs. The company has won many awards at international exhibitions. 35% alc/vol
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2016 Suntory Yamazaki Sherry Cask Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)JAPAN$9999. 00Bottle$119988.00 DozenABV: 48%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product shown.
Other reviews... A work of art. 96.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2019
...I tried this alongside the ‘legendary’ 2013 which, while good, remains too tannic for me. This though, has refinement and some complexity, with roasted tea, scented wood, resin, new brogues, and then the fruity Yamazaki undertow. In time you’ll get perfumed, incense-like sherried elements. It’s the finish where things take off into rose petal, strawberry, and Yamazaki’s pineapple signature. Water increases the tannin. Better than 2013, but still only for sherry bomb and tannin lovers. Non chill filtered.
89 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Dave Broom (Summer 2016) - Mistral Reservado 40 Pisco (750ml)La Serena, CHILE$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 40%Closure: Screw CapChilean Pisco is a distillate mainly of grapes from the Moscatel family, which are grown primarily in the semi-arid "little North" zone of Chile. Chile claims Pisco as its own, protecting its quality through strict adherence to regulations which permit production and processing only in the administrative regions of Coquimbo and Atacama.
This reservado is aged in American oak barrels giving the product an amber color and a soft wood flavour and aroma. The main grape varieties used are Pedro Ximénez and Muscat of Alexandria. Expect delicate notes of vanilla and chocolate. Enjoy on the rocks, with lemon or fruit juice or in your favourite cocktail. 40%Alc/Vol
- Routin Red Vermouth (750ml)FRANCE$41. 99Bottle$503.88 DozenABV: 18%One of the distillery’s oldest products, Vermouth Routin Original Rouge is among Philibert Routin’s most famous creations. For more than 130 years his original blend of 24 plants and spices has been religiously followed in order to create this signature apéritif. Original Rouge owes its unique flavour to a proprietary aging process: 50% of the finished product is aged in oak barrels to balance the flavour range. Key ingredients include wormwood, cloves, lavender, coriander and vanilla infused into local white wines. Accompanied by chocolate and nuts (almonds, hazelnuts), it will work well as an ending to meals. Other reviews... The rich date and fig scent is echoed on the palate. Look for hints of cocoa, dried fruit, fresh fig, orange peel and vanilla, winding into a gently spiced finish. Recommended for mixing into any drink made with brown spirits, especially whiskey. Best Buy. 18% Alc./Vol.
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Jim Beam White Label Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenABV: 37%Originated in the 1780s by Jacob Beam, a Kentucky farmer, who operated a grain mill and ground grist for locals - a portion of which was always reserved for the families private use - to make whisky. It was in 1795 the Jacob finally began commercial production, however it was not under the Beam Label. Consistency of style has been maintained by using the same yeast cultures for over 60 years, derived from an original culture made by Jim Beam himself on his back porch. Beam Bourbon is the product of six generations of distillers with only one enforced break in production between 1920 and 1933 when prohibition was introduced to the U.S. It was following prohibition, (during which time the distillery had been shut and sold to the U.S. government) that the bourbon was named "Jim Beam" after the head of the Beam family. To drink Beam then is to taste something of its American heritage. White Label is aged for four years and appreciated for it's pleasant sweet/sour and mellow, nutty character, making it one of the biggest selling Bourbons globally. 37% alc./vol.
Other reviews... Charmingly floral nose with a soft rye undercurrent. Sweet corn arrival then soft oaky-vanilla notes on the palate. Hints of soft liquorice and then much drier mouthwatering vaguely malty tones on the finish. This whiskey has improved enormously in recent years. Still light and easy going, there appears to be an element of extra age, weight and complexity. 85 points - Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2006
[40%ABV bottling] ...Grain in several forms begin this experience. First it's raw corn kernels, freshly buttered popcorn, boiled oats, rye toast, and cornbread. Then oak, raisins, and slight hints of vanilla develop, but the concentrated cornbread dominates after its appearance. However, though at a low proof, water is needed to cut the heat. Recommended with ice, water, and/or cola. 80 points - whiskyadvocate.com
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- Discontinued
Glenfarclas 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$230. 00Bottle$2760.00 DozenABV: 43%Big age statement + Large format = Guilt free dramming. No longer available overseas and rumoured to be discontinued.
A large format Glenfarclas that delivers quaffing excellence, reflecting the philosophy of distillery manager, John Grant: "Whisky is for drinking!" And if you think the packaging is a little 1970s, it's also deliberate: “It’s not over packaged" explains Grant, "it just comes out in a plain carton – and we have lots of it. We make a reasonable margin, and I’d rather people drank it than collected it”. Normally duty free exclusive. At this price, John, we salute you!
Tasting note: Bright amber gold. Nosing reveals husky malt with some sherry influence evident. Second pass finds hints of mulch, honey, vanilla and dried fruits (raisin / fig). Medium dry and in the moderately Sherried vein; mid palate builds with suggestions of honey drizzled muesli; firmish tannins and warming spices carrying the finish. Ends aperitif-like and fine, medium long. 43% Alc./Vol
Other reviews... Tight, nutty and full of crisp muscovado sugar. 84 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2015
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Casamigos Blanco Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 40%A new celebrity affiliated brand launched by George Clooney and Rande Gerber. The tequila is produced at the same distillery that makes well-known labels 'Avion' and 'Clase Azul'. Casamigos' first advertisement made an impact, featuring Clooney, Cindy Crawford, Kevin Bacon and others found in bed together after a night of imbibing, an image that sums up the 'relaxed' style of the collection. Aged for two months, the blanco pours with a clear / silvery blush. Intense aromas are waxy, peppery in the openings developing crushed chilli, mustard seed, dill pickle and semi-ripe pineapple. Entry is surprisingly rounded, vanilla-accented with beeswax, brine and a sappy agave, peppercorn burst to finish. Pineapple, gelato and light butter menthol lozenge aftertaste. Ends light, keenly balanced and fresh. Very accessible, this edges towards reposado. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Co-owned by actor George Clooney and nightlife impresario Rande Gerber, this blanco is smooth and light. The aromas are restrained, but on the palate look for mild agave sweetness backed by lemon zest, ginger and white pepper sparks, plus a candied lemon-peel note on the gentle exit. 92 points - winenthusiast.com
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Big Tree Claude Navy Strength Gin (700ml)Macedon, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 58%Big Tree Distillery was established by a gin-loving husband and wife team devoted to bringing you truly home-grown spirits from the Macedon Ranges in Victoria. Three gins are on offer - 'Seasonal', 'Elegant Dry' and a Navy Strength edition named 'Claude'. All are created using (mostly) local ingredients and fresh rainwater from the farm. Where possible the team pick and forage some of the more interesting botanicals as locally as possible with the help of a gin loving botantist. Bottled at high ABV, Claude includes a touch of Southern Sassafras foraged from the Victorian mountains. Tasting note: [Batch 2] Super-dense and juniper-heavy on the nose; pine forest floor, orris and liquorice root as well as hints of grapefruit and dried herbs. Never lets up. Huge yet impeccably balanced in an intense citrus / juniper / herbal and liquorice accented attack with Fisherman's Friend rounding off a cascade of profound ginny flavours. Ends oily, peppery, prolonged. Tremendous stuff. 58% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... Double Gold Medal, World Spirits Competition. -
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Starward Two-fold Australian Whisky (700ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 40%The first general release from Starward in years. Like some previous editions, this was matured in Australian red wine barrels (Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir). The difference here is ‘Two-fold’ incorporates a 35% wheat component with the barley. The lighter, softer wheat spirit allows a little more of the barrel character to shine through. 6000 bottles are initially on offer (with a large volume destined for the US) - that's double the number of bottles of the inaugural Solera single malt Starward. The distillery's own allocation appears to have sold out online, and Proprietor David Vitale is already starting to wonder whether he's made enough... The hope is this will last through till Christmas!
Tasting note: Brilliant copper. Reminiscent of the standard issue Starward, only softer and slightly sweeter with notes of banana cake, toffee, vanilla-wafer biscuit and light cocoa. The sweetness is tempered by spices and delicate tannins in the mouth, with hints of dried banana, vanilla and a touch of creamy soda to finish, the distillery's characteristic notes retained. Eminently drinkable, this rolls out like a good Canadian blend. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The temptation, when tasting a spirit for the first time, is to scrabble through your flavour memory banks looking for comparisons with spirits you've tasted in the past. With this new whisky, that proved to be a fruitless exercise because it really doesn't taste quite like any other I've tried before. It ticks the general whisky boxes of flavour and style expectation without evoking bourbon or scotch. And while it has unmistakably grain-based spirit characters on the nose and the palate, there are some quite distinctive, unexpected characters in there too: aromas of fresh toast, some dried fig, a hint of ripe banana, then a soft, pretty, creamy vanilla texture on the tongue, finishing with a little tannic grip and savoury complexity. As I say, a very good whisky, especially at this price.
- Max Allen, The Financial Review - G.E. Massenez Creme de Cassis de Dijon (Blackcurrant) Liqueur (500ml)Alsace, FRANCE$45. 99Bottle$551.88 DozenABV: 20%
Cassis is the French word for blackcurrant. The blackcurrant itself is of Nordic origin. It was only towards the beginning of the eighteenth century that Europe embraced it, both as a garden plant and for its medicinal qualities which earnt it the description of “elixir de vie.” However, as far back as the sixteenth century monks from the famous Dijon region of France are recorded to have been growing blackcurrant bushes. The drink they made from it was offered as a universal cure-all for everything from snake bite to depression. While this is clearly fallacious, it is common knowledge that black currants are rich in vitamin C and the liqueurs made from them are enjoyable and healthy digestifs. It is most commonly produced by macerating the berries in grape brandy.
Raspberries and other wild berries have a very low sugar content and fermentation alone produces practically no alcohol. They must therefore macerate in eau de vie for at least one month. Every 100 kg of fruits must macerate in 25 litres of eau de vie with an alcohol content of 50 % as laid down by legislation. Slight fermentation takes place during this period. The mixture is then distilled.
This Creme de Cassis from G.E.Massenez (based in the the famous liqueur producing town of Dijon, capital of Burgundy) is of uncompromising quality. G.E. Massenez is today universally acclaimed for his eaux de vie (fruit brandies) such as wild Rasperry and Williams Pear as well as his crèmes liqueurs : Peach, Blackcurrant etc...The winner of many awards at international exhibitions, including the World Oscar for quality in 1980, Massenez Creme de Cassis has an alcohol content of 20%.
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Arette 100% Agave Reposado Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$104. 99Bottle$1259.88 DozenABV: 38%Rested for ten months in old oak barrels. Pale straw gold. Opens with interesting aromas reminiscent of split green wood, dried eucalyptus leaf, dill pickle and brine. Soft, moderately oily mouthfeel follows through with a medium bodied, semi-sweet, smoky beeswax and dried herb profile and delicate black pepper aftertaste. Complex and well rounded. 38% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Look for spicy aromas that channel fresh and pickled jalapeño peppers. The palate has a slick feel and opens with citrusy astringency. Comforting almond is accented with mouthwatering cayenne and clove fireworks on the finish. 92 points - wineenthusiast.com
















































