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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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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
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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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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
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Ron Abuelo 7 Year Old Rum (700ml)PANAMA$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 40%Tasting note: Burnished copper. Nosing hints at molasses, maple syrup, vanilla custard and buckwheat pancake. Cream textured with good weight and a silky, mouth coating, vanilla confectionary, clove, white pepper and maple syrup profile. Nice length and balance. 40% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... Made with a blend of rums aged seven years, this silky spirit has an amber color and warm toffee aroma. On the palate, this rum is relatively dry, with clove and cinnamon spice and a lingering vanilla note. Good alcohol balance, just enough for structure.
93 points - www.wineenthusiast.com Double Gold Medal 2010 - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Bunnahabhain Moine Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 46.3%A limited edition, single batch Bunnah' from Master Distiller Ian MacMillan (not to be confused with another Bunnahabhain whisky of the same name which was from an Oloroso sherry cask). Non chill filtered and bottled at 46.3% Alc./Vol. for maximum flavour, expect an unusually smokey expression for this distillery “...refreshing with peat, smoke, iodine, diesel and sea air finishing long and smoky with tar and iodine”.
- Deau Louis Memory Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$560. 00Bottle$6720.00 DozenABV: 40%Classified as an 'Hors d’Age' Cognac, meaning "beyond age", this category falls under the XO denomination, but refers to Cognacs with an average age of thirty years (XOs require a minimum of ten). Hors d’Age at fifty years or even one hundred years old are not uncommon - in short, they're often the oldest Cognacs on the market. A portion of the eau-de-vie in Deau's 'Memory' dates back to 1916. Bottled as a tribute to Louis Deau who settled in the cognac region during the XVIIth century, its deep amber colour and endlessly unfolding aftertaste have left many afficianados judging it to be the jewel in the Deau portfolio. 40% Alc./Vol. Gold Medal Concours de Mondial de Bruxelles 2019
Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition CWSA in 2014 -
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The GlenAllachie 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 46%The GlenAllachie have done it again! The 12 Year Old has won the award for World's Best Single Malt at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, an honour it previously received in 2021 for Batch #4 of its 10 year old Cask Strength release. Billy Walker considers the 12 year old to be the heart of the core range with some of the very best virgin oak, Oloroso sherry and Pedro Ximenez casks selected. It is slightly less robust than the ten year old, though just as deeply coloured and easily one of the more flavour-packed 12 year olds going around, opening with notes of chocolate box and Turkish delight followed by a medley of dried fruits, cocoa, clove, honey and vanilla, plus no shortage of concentration on the palate; A saturate of dried fruits and spices, orange oils, citrus blossom, chocolate box and dried apricots combine with fine astringency for excellent sweet-dry balance. Overall, fresher, and with a little more 'breed' than the brawny 10. If you enjoy exuberant sherried styles, then this will be right up your alley. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... "A nose of rich sultanas, flapjacks, and milk chocolate, alongside acetone notes. On the palate, dried apple, gourmet chutney, orange zest, nutmeg, and cinnamon emerge, complemented by vanilla custard. The finish is medium-long, oily, and slightly warm, making for a very enjoyable dram." - World Whisky Awards 2025
This core expression offers aromas of raspberry jam, baked orange, plum, peppercorn, dry autumn leaves, and a hint of leather, making it an attractive prospect among the various 12 year old sherried Speyside single malt options around. Medium-bodied and juicy, with summer red berries, baked orange, vanilla, ripe cherry, marmalade, and gentle peppery spices, the flavors round off with aniseed, strawberry, and cherry lip balm. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...This is from one of Billy Walker's batches, but there already appears to have been quite a few of them and I couldn't tell you which one this is. Most seem to mention a mixture of Oloroso, PX and virgin oak. Colour: amber - surprisingly dark. Nose: very nice, rather classical on fudge, Dundee cake, shoe polish, mixed peppercorns and a slightly sticky jammy quality - sticky dark fruits I suppose. Feels like quite a sherry-dominated batch. Mouth: some active oak, but also rather a lot of dark grained breads, stout beers, molasses, dates, treacle cake and walnuts. Herbal bitters too, along with some strong fresh black coffee and bitter chocolate. Bish bash bosh! Finish: medium, quite bready, dark and savoury. Umami paste, forest mushrooms and leathery notes. Comments: the oak is there, draping everything in perhaps a notch too much spice, but there's many gooey sherried treats to enjoy underneath. Not sure all batches have been up to this spec though. 85 points - whiskyfun.com
- Bundaberg Rum Coffee and Chocolate Royal Liqueur (700ml)Bundaberg, Queensland, AUSTRALIA$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenABV: 20%Closure: Screw Cap
An unfamiliar product in the Bundaberg range. Bundaberg Royal Liqueur is a composition of Bundaberg Rum, coffee and chocolate. Its unfamiliarity is due to its limited availability (usually sold only within the distillery walls).
In fact the last time we saw this product was early 2001!Enjoy the way you would any cream liqueur.
- Goslings Black Seal Rum (700ml)BERMUDA$83. 99Bottle$1007.88 DozenABV: 40%A family business for over two centuries, Gosling's was founded in 1806 by James Gosling and is Bermuda's oldest business house and largest exporter of locally made product. Originally called 'Old Rum', the company's flagship 'Black Seal Rum' was not sold by the bottle until after World War One, when it was packaged in Champagne bottles (the most widely available bottle at the time) and sealed with black wax, hence the name which has stuck. Over the years, Black Seal Rum has become synonymous with the Bermuda region - it is an essential ingredient in the local fish chowder, adds the island flavour to the 'Bermuda Rum Swizzle', as well as being the tempest in Bermuda's favorite cocktail, the 'Dark 'n Stormy'.
At the World Spirits Championships, the largest international spirits judging in North America, Black Seal scored 96 out of a possible 100 points and was awarded the Platinum Medal. The judges described Black Seal as "Superlative...Deep, assertive and highly flavored. Very fragrant with herbal sharpness. At the finish there is a softness and elegance. A most complex, unusual spirit." 40% Alc./Vol.
- Bronze Medal: 87 Points - International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2019
- Platinum Medal: 96 Points - Beverage Testing Institute
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Quarisa Johnny Q MoscatoSouth Eastern Australia, AUSTRALIA$13. 99Bottle$167.88 DozenABV: 9%Closure: Screw CapThis is quite a fizzy Moscato exhibiting a very pale straw colour and watery hue. The nose displays lifted ripe grapey aromas followed by some tropical fruit notes and a hint of sherbet. Sweet fruity palate entry and light body weight with grapey tropical fruit flavours and a touch of orange blossom. Clean finish with aftertaste of grapey tropical fruits.
Drink now (2012).
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Santiago Queirolo Pure (Pura) Quebranta Grape Pisco (700ml)Ica Valley, PERU$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 42%Closure: Screw CapA spirit fermented and distilled from grapes, Pisco was initially developed by Spanish settlers in Peru around the sixteenth century as a cheaper alternative to their imported national spirit, ‘Orujo’ (a transparent spirit obtained from the distillation of the pomace of the grape, usually bottled at roughly 50% alc/vol). Pisco is produced in the wine making regions of both Chile and Peru; however, questions persist as to their points of difference. Generally speaking, Peruvian Pisco is considered to be superior. Its focus is on utilizing traditional methods to produce an artisanal product which pre-dates Pisco produced in Chile. Chilean Pisco, on the other hand, is the big corporate brother of the Peruvian, with an industry geared for high end production and export. In summary, although both styles are essentially forms of grape spirit, the end product is markedly different.
Defining Peruvian Pisco are particular methods of production, provenance, establishment of vines, the use of specific varietals and storage techniques. In all, it involves a series of considerations more comparable to the production of a fine wine. The Ica Valley is one of Peru’s best Pisco producing regions. The desert conditions are ideal for varietals such as Quebranta, Common Black, Mollar, Italia, Muscat, Albilla and Torontel to thrive. Famous distilleries located in the Ica Valley include Tacama, and the featured Quierolo brand.
There are four traditional styles of Pisco produced:
1. Pura (Pure): Made from using only a single grape variety, these usually include non-aromatic varieties such as Quebranta or Common Black. Famous for producing the ideal Pisco Sour.
2. Aromatic: Made from Moscatel varietals, these include Muscat, Torontel and Italia.
3. Mosto Verde (Green Must): Distilled from partially fermented must, this must be distilled before the fermentation process has completely transformed the sugars into alcohol.
4. Acholado: Blended from the must of several grape varietals.
Prior to distillation, the wine is placed into large containers known as ‘botijas’, (also known as pisqueras). These are made of clay, sand, manure and water, lined with a fibrous material such as straw to shape. These containers are placed outside whereby the heat of the sun acts as catalyst for fermentation. Oppose this to the Chilean styles which are matured in oak, producing a toastier spirit which is bottled at varying strengths according to the style. Peruvian Pisco must be bottled at the natural strength off the still.
Tasting note: Clear, brilliant, slightly viscous appearance. Strong yeast, fruit bread and caper-like aromas. Entry is smooth, warming and mildly tingly with olive bread and fruity flavours (plum, grape) laced with white pepper. Good concentration and balance. Slightly waxy, oily texture. Finishes clean and dry with a delicate salty, green olive and spice aftertaste. 42% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Mild tropical fruit aromas introduce this pisco. The palate doubles down with coconut and dried pineapple. Assertive ginger heat, lemon drops and a faint white floral exhale make for a relatively sweet, candied finish. 95 points - wineenthusiast.com
Cocktail Recipe: The Classic Pisco Sour
-3 parts Pura Pisco
-1 part granulated sugar
-1 part lime juice
-1 part egg whiteShake vigorously with ice until frothy and strain into a small wine glass and Garnish with ground cinnamon.
- Gekkeikan Sake (720ml)Kyoto, JAPAN$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenABV: 14.5%
Japanese rice wine is not a liqueur, although it is often brewed to liqueur-like strengths by simultaneous processes which convert sugar starch to sugar and then to alcohol. The ferments are Koji and Sake yeast. Gekkeikan claims itself as the largest selling sake in the world.
The company is based in Fushimi, Kyoto, and was founded in 1637 by Jiemon Ōkura. One of the world's oldest companies, it is today a member of the Henokiens group. The name 'Gekkeikan' literally means "laurel wreath". 14.5% alc./vol.
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Widow Jane 10 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)UNITED STATES$189. 99Bottle$2279.88 DozenABV: 45.5%"Good, honest, rock solid Bourbon" - Jim Murray An unusual find in Australia, this is a sourced bourbon using whiskeys from Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana assembled in Brooklyn in five barrel batches which means each release will present a slightly different flavour profile. It's named for its water source which comes from the "Widow Jane Limestone Mine" in Rosendale, New York, prized for being even richer in minerals than the pure waters of Kentucky.
Tasting notes: [Barrel not specified] Deep copper. Nosing after air contact yields drier-styled notes of dark rye bread, white pepper, light vanilla and dustings of milk chocolate. Well integrated, minty rye enters before vanillan oak. Applemint and hints of iced tea through the drying finish. An elegant, light and refreshing style with impressive length. 45.5% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Good, honest, rock solid if oily, old-fashioned Bourbon. 90.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2020
DOUBLE GOLD - San Francisco Spirits Competition.
Ultimate Beverage Challenge 93 points The nose of this bourbon is reminiscent of maple kissed breakfast pancakes with a side of bacon. The palate presents and astoundingly smooth profile, where rich flavors of plantains in browned butter, cocoa nibs, and orange marmalade sing in harmony. A warm, pleasing finish begs another sip. - (Apr 2018)
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Inner Circle Black Dot Cask Strength Rum 75.9% ABV (700ml)Queensland, AUSTRALIA$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 75.9%The repackaged Inner Circle Black Dot is a new recipe, as well as new label and bottle shape. Deeper and darker than Green Dot, the high ABV is immediately apparent: prickly wafts carry aromas of cinnamon, vanilla wafer, sticky date and peppercorns. Tastes like more column still than pot still with a supernova of bittersweet flavours that's somehow light on its feet: Vanilla cream and dark chocolate on entry, the mid-palate is oily and mouth coating then finally estery through the finish. The aftertaste is fairly brisk for all its strength. 75.9% Alc./Vol. Pot distilled at Beenleigh distillery.
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Amara Blood Orange Liqueur (500ml)Sicily, ITALY$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 30%Blood Orange peel meets a herbal and sugar infusion in a new expression of the liqueur from Mount Etna, Sicily. Tasting note: Bright amber / polished copper. Perfumed with lifted scents of candied orange / jelly bean. Further exposure suggests blood orange chocolate. Creamy sweet entry offers a silk-textured orange zest profile with mild acidity relieving the sugars. Finish is semi-sweet, broad, a little over-confected and subdued. Try with chocolate, pastries & cakes. 30% Alc./Vol. -
- ABV may vary
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Highland Park 40 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Orkney Islands, SCOTLAND$8499. 00Bottle$101988.00 DozenABV: 43.2%Note: Packaging may vary from image.
Described in Whisky Magazine as “an incredibly well drinking Highland Park… sharing some of the 18 Year Old’s refinement but taking it into a different league”, the presentation and quality should put this firmly on collector's radars. -
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Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium Rare Liqueur Muscat (500ml)Rutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$110. 00Bottle$1320.00 DozenABV: 17%Closure: StelvinThis magnificent fortified pours with a thick oil like viscosity. The colour is much deeper than the classic Muscat displaying a totally opaque black sienna brown core with a deep olive green walnut brown hue. The nose is a sniffers paradise, almost hypnotising the olfactory senses with intoxicating aromas of raisins and honey infused with marzipan followed by finely integrated spirit, hints of Christmas cake and marmalade with spicy rancio end notes. Thick oil like texture, the palate painted with incredibly rich and concentrated flavours of honeyed raisins, marmalade, refined spirit, Christmas cake, toffee, rancio characters, marzipan and spice. Good balanced freshness on the finish and beautifully integrated spirit. Exceptionally long conclusion of honeyed raisins, marmalade, Christmas cake, marzipan and rancio characters that stay in the mouth long after swallowing. A vinous steal by any measure.
Alc 17%Other reviews….
Like 100 Christmases in the one glass. Ancient material blended across decades and decades, delivering immense depth, layering and complexity. Smells of dark toasted wood, dark chocolate, currants, raisins, plum paste and alluring, fragrant spices. The palate has a smooth, pillowy texture, rich and spicy raisins and ebb and flow of dried-plum flavors, emanating warmth in treasured layers. Drink now. Screw cap.
100 points
JamesSuckling.com
This has a tsunami of luscious spices, raisins dipped in chocolate, and dried fruit flavours, yet has enhancing freshness, length and a bright finish, rancio in high relief. This Rutherglen muscat has to be given 100 points.
100 points
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2018 La MondotteSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$560. 00Bottle$6720.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 La Mondotte strolls nonchalantly out of the glass with expressive scents of plum preserves, blueberry compote and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by suggestions of candied violets, licorice, hoisin and black truffles with a waft of ground cloves. It's medium to full-bodied with seriously impressive tension and wonderfully ripe, velvety tannins supporting the generous black fruit preserves layers, finishing with amazing length and loads of panache. It will require a good 4-5 years to unlock some of its finer nuances, then drink this powerhouse over the next 25+ years. Drink 2025-2050.
97+ points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe 2018 La Mondotte melds together the richness of the vintage with the bright, chalky notes that are such a signature of this tiny estate. Inky dark fruit, graphite, crushed rocks, lavender and spice gradually open in a dense, layered Saint-Émilion loaded with personality. I can't wait to see how it ages. Drink 2026-2043.
96+ points
Antonio Galloni - VinousBlackberry, plum, mushroom and wood undertones. It’s full-bodied with firm, ripe tannins. Savory and fleshy texture on the palate. Well balanced. Flavorful finish with length. Such polish and composure for a young wine. So classy! Try after 2026.
98 points
James SucklingComing from a cool terroir situated near Pavie Decesse and based on 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 La Mondotte reveals a dense purple hue to go with a rich, yet classic, regal, full-bodied style delivering impressive blue fruits, graphite, scorched earth, and liquid violet aromas and flavors. It's concentrated and powerful, yet it's the balance, purity of fruit, and quality of tannins that set it apart. Do your best to hide bottles for 5-7 years, and it's going to evolve for 30+. Drink 2026-2056.
96 points
Jeb Dunnuck - Chestnut Teal Limited Release Apera (750ml)Mildura, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenABV: 17.5%Named after the native duck found along the Murray River, this medium sweet style was originally produced by Mildara Wines in the early 1950s but ceased in 1998. Ahead of its 65th birthday, the Australian icon has been relaunched by two sherry advocates, Darren Rogers and Peter Stone. “Our hope is that Chestnut Teal will continue to be appreciated as not only an icon of the Australian wine industry, but as a wonderful drink for any occasion,” Mr Stone said. He adds, “It was the weapon of choice after work every night.” The aim has been to recreate the drink in the most authentic manner possible with reports suggesting it looks and tastes identical to the original article. Expect a sweet wine with a drying finish, with flor sherry notes integrated with nutty rancio and a rounded mouthfeel. A lovely aperitif served at room temperature or slightly chilled. 17.5% Alc./Vol.
- Aalborg Nordguld Aquavit (700ml)DENMARK$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 40%Aalborg Nordguld Aquavit is a rich, unique taste being the world's only aquavit distilled with amber - the Gold of the North.
The amber oils used during distilling give body, a touch of resin and pine and a hint of citrus to the taste. In addition to this, Aalborg Nordguld is made from classic aquavit spices including fennel. To top it all off, it's then matured in Spanish sherry casks to obtain a smooth and harmonious texture. The perfect accompaniment to a good meal or with coffee. - Don Julio Anejo 100% Agave Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 38%Closure: Cork
At the age of 17, Don Julio Gonzalez opened his first tequila distillery in 1942 in Atotonilco el Alto in Jalisco. His name has been synonymous with luxury tequila ever since. The distillery hand selects every one of its blue agaves at the peak of their sweetness and ripeness—waiting up to 12 years before harvesting. Rich clay soils and larger planting spaces help to ensure maximum nutrition and sunlight, resulting a sweeter Agave for premium tequila production. The Agaves are then slowly cooked in masonry ovens at Don Julio's 'La Primavera' Distillery, where the juice that is obtained is subsequently double distilled.
Other reviews... Aged for eighteen months in oak, the Anejo yields initial aromas of dill, brine and bitter green vegetables but the bouquet becomes muted with aeration. The palate entry is a tad sharp and acidic, but that smoothes out at midpalate as tastes of honey, saltwater taffy and pickles take charge. Ends spirited and pungent. 38% Alc./Vol. 85-89 points - wineenthusiast.com
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Eden Mill Hop Gin (500ml)SCOTLAND$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 46%A combination of brewing and distilling. Galaxy hops are a core ingredient, alongside juniper berries, angelica and coriander. Tasting note: Brilliant pale gold. Moderate aromas of mango lassi and dried apricot over hints of coriander. Oily textured but also delicately bitter with dried mango, apricot and vaguely herbal flavours. Concludes dry, fleeting. Odd. 46% Alc./Vol. -
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Dal Zotto Pucino ProseccoKing Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$21. 99Bottle$263.88 DozenCellar: Drink now (2016)ABV: 10.5%Closure: Crown SealPours with a buoyant white mousse. Water like base wine colour with a greenish tinge around the edges. Very fine bead showing excellent persistence. Top notes of apple and pears are followed by some lemon sherbet. The palate has good fruit and a zippy mouthfeel with flavours of pears and baked apples to the fore over some sherbet and citrus. Dry finish with crisp acidity. Aftertaste of pear, baked apples, sherbet and citrus.
Drink now.
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Havana Club Anejo 7 Year Old Rum (700ml)Havana, CUBA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 40%Cuba has a long tradition of rum-making dating back to when Christopher Columbus introduced sugar cane to the island. The crop flourished in the favourable climate and fertile soil. Production of sugar soon followed and by 1620 there were 50 sugar refineries in Cuba. By the 1800s, the rum-making process had been refined with the introduction of copper stills and the concept of ageing the spirit in pots buried in the earth and wooden barrels. The second half of the 19th century saw the production of a more delicate rum, aged in white oak casks, developed initially “for the elite” on the instruction of the Spanish Crown.
The Seven remains the pride of the Havana Club portfolio, composed of rums aged for a minimum of seven years, some substantially older. What's so likeable about Havana 7 is its point of difference: This is a relatively dry, "generously light" style offering flavours of muted vanillas, light molasses, dried fruit cake and crisp oak. It's a suave spirit with enough depth and presence to enjoy simply over ice, but its individuality is its forte. Being less sweet lends it to super-refreshing cocktails. Swap it out over white rum in a Mojito with confidence. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... This is a perfect example of Cuban style rum (fitting since it’s actually from Cuba): There’s a huge amount of rich caramel character on the nose, with a light wood backing. Take a sip and you get a rush of heat, then smoothness: Sweet molasses and caramel, cane sugar, and a bit of cinnamon character in the finish. Very light on the wood, it veers into sweet vanilla — but it’s never cloying and never overly sugary. I’m deeply intrigued by the older Havana Clubs, though I can’t much imagine this being significantly improved by any additional time in oak. Best of all is the price, though you’ll have to buy it out of the country until the embargo is overturned. Come on, Obama! - drinkhacker.com
Gold Medal, Dark Rum up to 7yo - 2014 The Rum Masters (The Spirits Business)
... A nicely done expression that captures the depth and complexity that a rum can achieve while still maintaining a freshness and a definite Cuban terroir. - spiritsreview.com















































