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2019 Chateau Leoville PoyferreSaint Julien, Bordeaux, FRANCE$275. 00Bottle$3300.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Leoville Poyferre is part of the trio of properties formed when the large 200 hectare Leoville estate was divided in 1840. Seen as the most plush and exotic of the group, Leoville Poyferre has also been the most consistent since 2000. While much of the plantings are intermixed with those of Leoville Las Cases, the Grand Vin comes from a total of 60 hectares, and is planted to 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. The estate also produces a second wine, Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre, along with the previously unofficial second wine Moulin Riche which comes from a dedicated 21 hectare plot.
Other Reviews....
The 2019 Léoville Poyferré is showing very well in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of crème de cassis and wild berries mingled with notions of licorice, loamy soil, cigar wrapper and smoke. Full-bodied, velvety and polished, it's broad and enveloping, with an ample core of fruit, ripe tannins and succulent acids, concluding with a long, precise finish. Invariably the most sumptuous of the three Léovilles, featuring some 35% Merlot, the 2019 is a terrific effort that will offer a wide drinking window. Drink 2027-2057.
96 points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)The 2019 Léoville-Poyferré has the quintessential "LP" bouquet of perfumed blackberry, black plum, perhaps less tobacco than last year but still those hints of desiccated orange peel. It opens beautifully in the glass. The palate has a satin-like texture, a fine bead of acidity and fine pixelation. It is perhaps less luxuriant than I found this last year from barrel and has become slightly more linear, displaying a touch more breeding and precision. It fans out wonderfully on the finish, completing a fabulous Saint-Julien with huge potential. 14.18% alcohol. Drink 2026-2065.
97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (Dec 2021)The 2019 Léoville-Poyferré is creamy, racy and voluptuous to the core. Bright red cherry/plum fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and menthol fill out the layers with effortless grace. In some tastings, the 2019 has come across as quite powerful, while in other moments it shows greater finesse. Either way, the 2019 is positively stunning. I very much admire its energy and persistence. Tasted three times. Drink 2029-2049.
97 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous (Jan 2022)Blackcurrant, wet-earth with fresh black-mushroom aromas. Some chocolate, too. Full-bodied with layers of beautiful, ripe fruit and creamy tannins. It’s chewy and focused. Impressive balance. Try after 2025.
95 points
James Suckling (Dec 2021)The flagship 2019 Château Léoville Poyferré is based on 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot. It's one of the bigger, richer wines in the vintage and has a gorgeous, thrilling, full-bodied style as well as notes of crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, violets, and chocolate. While many estates seem to be playing it safe and focusing on so-called elegance and balance, I love that Poyferré continues to make a ripe, sexy, beautifully textured wine that always offers more opulence and sexiness than most in the vintage. Ranking with the crème de la crème of the vintage, this gorgeous Poyferré can be enjoyed any time over the coming 40-50 years. Bravo! Drink 2022-2072.
98 points
Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2022)So aromatic with real complexity of notes on the nose, perfume and black fruits. Quite tannic on the palate, broad-shouldered and carefully detailed with a core of liquorice-edged black fruit, dark chocolate and slate giving it quite a serious, gourmet and savoury feel right now. Lovely poise though - that St-Julien class shining through with mouthwatering freshness. Feels well made with energy and elegance. A standout wine with absolute distinction and plenty on offer. 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Harvest 22 September-11 October. Drink 2027-2045.
97 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter (Jan 2022) -
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2015 Chateau Doisy-Vedrines (375ml)Barsac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenClosure: CorkOnce part of the large Doisy estate founded in 1704, Chateau Doisy-Vedrines was named after one of the early owners of the estate after Doisy was separated into three properties in 1851. Chateau Doisy-Vedrines is now owned by the Casteja family who also own Chateau Trotte Vieille in Saint-Emilion and Chateau Batailley in Pauillac among their portfolio. The vineyard is planted to 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle, and along with their grand vin they produce a second wine under the Chateau Petit Vedrines label. Interestingly they choose to label their wines as Sauternes, rather than Barsac as with the two other Doisy properties.
Other Reviews....
The 2015 Daisy-Védrines has a "sunny" bouquet with finely delineated wild honey, dried peach and saffron aromas emerging with time. The palate is well balanced, tensile and linear, with pure botrytized fruit and a vibrant, honeyed finish that delivers just the right amount of tension. The 2015 is excellent. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting at Farr Vintners. Drink 2025-2045.
94 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (Feb 2025)A prototypical Sauternes with tons of marzipan and candied-orange character. A great balance of that with full sweetness, well-judged oak and enough acidity to give a clean, long finish. Drink or hold.
93 points
James Suckling (Jan 2018)Rich sunflower yellow in colour. This is excellent; it has a swish of stone and bright lime, real intensity of flavour, and good persistency. Drink 2020-2040.
95 points
Jane Anson - Decanter (Dec 2017) - Hardys Black Bottle X.O. Brandy (700ml)Riverland, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 39.1%
The Hardy's XO label now been changed to Black Bottle XO Brandy. From what we know, this is the same product with an altered name and subtle label change.
Brandy actually has a long association with many of Australia’s pioneering family wineries and older bottlings remain one of the Australian Wine Industry’s true hidden gems - if you can find them. This extraordinary example is the product of over 150 years of winemaking experience at Hardy’s. Since 1853 when Thomas Hardy first established his wine company on the banks of the River Torrens in Adelaide, South Australia, the pursuit of refined excellence has been a consuming passion. In addition to the production of the renowned pot still 'Black Bottle Brandy', Hardy's have also earned the enviable reputation of producing one of the nation’s finest aged brandies.
Produced from warm climate Doradilla, Palomino & Sultana grapes, these varieties are most suited to brandy production because when picked at around 10-11 degrees Baume they produce a neutral, clean wine with high acid. As in Cognac, the wine is immediately transferred to pot stills for double distillation. Eighteen year old spirit forms the foundation of this brandy while further material in excess of thirty years old has been added to develop the desired levels of complexity, flavour and richness. Prolonged maturation takes place in premium Limousin oak casks from the forests near Cognac, France. Testament to this spirit’s pedigree is the fact that it has been awarded some 20 trophies and 21 gold medals since first being produced in 1996. Packaged in an exquisite decanter and satin lined box, the excitement and anticipation begins long before the cork is popped! This is an ideal gift, personal or corporate, guaranteeing unprecedented 'wows'.
Tasting Note: [Hardy's XO 8/03/2005] Wonderful deep golden brown colour with pale golden hue - Indicitatve of the Brandy's age. Abundant, rich aromas of plum pudding, vanilla, fine chocolate and sultana. Smooth, sweet and silky entry into a gently warming palate which is laden with mouthfilling flavours of spicy plum pudding, vanilla, chocolate, with a touch of cedar and leather, terrific texture, impeccably balanced. Spice and dark chocolate dominate the back palate. The finish is remarkable. Like Malcolm Blight's 1976 torpedo after the siren, incredibly long and straight, precision and power harmoniously combined. A distinguished spirit of the very finest quality, worthy of prominent place in any serious bar. 39% Alc/Vol.
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Torres Jaime I Brandy (700ml)Barcelona, SPAIN$185. 00Bottle$2220.00 DozenABV: 38%Spain's Venerable National Treasure to Rival Cognac. In the last century Cognac has marketed its way to the top of the brandy hierarchy. Some Cognac houses have even entered the pantheon of popular culture. If other lengthy distilling traditions appear in a state of obscurity compared, it only affirms the success of Cognac’s campaign and its ubiquity as the brandy of 'preference'.
Australia and South Africa are two to be left in the wake of the French. Spain is another. Due credit must be given to Cognac, but the world’s other great grape based spirit discoveries can be made elsewhere. Readers are reminded that Australia still produces some stunning XO brandies, and a single estate South African bottling from KWV was honored as “Best Brandy in the World’ at the London International Spirits Competition in 2010.
Spain remains a major player in the brandy field, and is second only to Cognac in production. It’s no surprise when one considers that thanks to their absorption of Arab culture around the early 8th century, Spaniards were amongst the first Europeans to learn the art of distillation. For a long time most of their output was sold off to the Dutch as raw spirit, until phylloxera hit Cognac in the early 1880s. At that point in history, Spanish brandy hit a golden age, if only briefly it became a desirable and readily available alternative to Cognac.
In present day Spain there are two regions with Denominacion Origin (DO) controlled brandy production and the spirit must be aged in the Jerez region in Andalucía, or the Penedès region in Catalonia to qualify for certification. For the former, most of the grapes grown are Airen and Palomino and distillation actually takes place in La Mancha, after which the distillate is transported via tanker trucks for maturation in Jerez.
Brandy from Jerez is a national favourite and anyone visiting Spain is bound to come across it. Here the Sherry bodegas mature the lions share of it which makes sense, as they already own the barrels to do it. Ageing usually takes place in 500 litre American oak casks, previously having contained any type of Sherry wine for at least three years.
Just like Scotch Whisky production which traditionally favoured maturation in x Sherry casks, these barrels also make a significant flavour contribution to the ageing process of brandy. Thus, Fino casks will produce brandy which is paler, typically featuring vanilla, fresh fruits and grilled nut characteristics; oloroso casks may lend aromas of walnut, plum, and figs; Pedro Ximenez casks will infuse sweet dried fruit notes and impart a darker colour, and so on. Solera systems are the norm. (More on this below).
While nine out of ten bottles of Brandy sold in Spain contain Brandy des Jerez, the contents of the tenth bottle is the result of those taking the road less traveled.
Brandies from Penedès are amongst those differentiated from the brandies of Jerez - both geographically and stylistically. Here in Catalonia, in the northeast corner of Spain near Barcelona you’ll find an approach that's more aligned with the classic model of Cognac. Regional grapes are used but so is locally-grown Ugni Blanc, the variety that constitutes about 98% of Cognac plantings. Distillation takes place in pot stills and maturation follows in French Limousin oak.
Despite this apparent Francophilia, one Penedes producer has not entirely departed from local traditions. This is Torres. This large family run company set up a distillery here in 1928 and has made the decision to retain their soleras, although they do employ French Limousin oak rather than American oak.
The solera system of aging wines or spirits to maintain a uniform quality will be familiar to sherry enthusiasts. To illustrate this briefly, imagine a pyramid collection of casks arranged with each layer containing brandies of different average age.The rows above the bottom layer are called the criaderas, and contain younger and younger spirit as you ascend. The bottom row is called the solera. It’s here that the brandy is drawn from when required for bottling, after which the casks are replenished with the same volume from the tier above and so on back through the system. Depending on the producer, this process can occur every 4-5 months, or 1-2 years. Because not more than 33% of the volume of each cask can be removed at any one time, this means that there's always a portion of brandy which never leaves the solera.
Intuition might suggest that adding the younger brandies would dominate the older material. In fact, the opposite happens and the younger stock takes on some of the character of the older one. Rather quaintly, the Spanish put it that the older brandy "teaches" the younger.
While Torres is a large concern, they clearly have not lost their artisan touch.
The flavour profile and mouthfeel are not the same as great Cognac, but then, nor should they be. This is not Cognac. Having said that there are resemblances. Overall Torres' style tends towards heavier tones - dessert fruits, Christmas cake in combination with a seductive overlay that comes across like ultra aged Rutherglen muscat, but with the sweetness kept in check. In short, this grandfather of the brandy family should find favour with any one who has enjoyed the finest Australian expressions, but may equally appeal to those who are finding many Cognacs from the larger houses now overly sweet.
Finally, those who have memories of Barcelona may recognise the bottle as a homage to Gaudí, suitably designed by the architect Tanaka to complete the package.
Tasting note: Very deep polished mahogany appearance with some particles floating in the glass, however, it should be noted that the sample on offer was a near empty bottle, so some natural sediment would be expected. It issues a profound perfume of dried apricot and fig, clove and cigar box as well as hints of muscat; Several minutes later hints of candied orange peel and vanilla emerge. A soft, svelte like entry leads into a creamy textured mid palate featuring Christmas cake, sweet tobacco and muscat notes, the latter accentuating towards the finish. Perfect balance. Concludes long and mildly tannic as the wood and dried fruit notes interchange into the prolonged aftertaste. Superb. 38% Alc./Vol.
- Dolin Bitter de Chambery Bitters (750ml)Chambery, FRANCE$31. 99Bottle$383.88 DozenABV: 16%Closure: Cork
Dolin is among the few remaining independent producers of Vermouth and the last producing Vermouth de Chambéry, still made according to the principles which earned Chambéry France's only A.O.
Their bitters is the result of an infusion of herbs, aromatic plants and fruit in neutral alcohol and wine. Think of it as a slightly lighter, less bitter version of Campari without the price tag. Enjoy Bitter de Chambery chilled, with a twist of orange. 16% Alc./Vol.
No tasting notes available.
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2018 Chateau Lafite RothschildPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$2499. 00Bottle$29988.00 DozenClosure: CorkOften seen as the most elegant of the First Growth wines, Chateau Lafite Rothschild has long been considered one of the greatest wines from not only Bordeaux, but from anywhere in the world. Prices too reflect its status as the most collectable wine in Bordeaux, spurred on since 2008 when it ruled the Chinese fine wine market.
While the vineyards are planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, each year the proportions vary according to the vintage, normally with Cabernet Sauvignon accounting for 80-90% of the blend.
Other Reviews....
The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is blended of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot and has 13.3% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock intoxicating scents of blackcurrant cordial, baked plums and black cherry compote with an undercurrent of dark chocolate, licorice, cast-iron pan, cedar chest and fertile loam, plus a waft of pencil lead. The delicately crafted, medium-bodied palate is dripping with class, featuring layers of mineral-laced black fruits and exquisitely ripe, singularly Lafite tannins, finishing with epic length and depth. This simply stunning, delicately crafted expression of 2018 with its singularly evocative imprint of Lafite will require a good 7-8 years in bottle, then should continue to inspire awe over the following 40+ years. Drink 2028 - 2068.
100 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (Apr 2021)The 2018 Lafite-Rothschild is a stunning wine. Silky and floral, the 2018 offers all the signatures of the Grand Vin, but amplified by the radiance of the year. In the glass, Lafite is rich and exotic, yet it also retains tremendous vibrancy. The interplay of Merlot picked early and Cabernet Sauvignon harvested late makes for wine of extraordinary dimension, complexity and class. Graphite, dark red fruit, spice and leather linger on the huge finish. Magnificent! Drink 2028-2068.
98 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous (Mar 2021)Wow. The aromas are so intense and refined at the same time, offering gorgeous blackcurrant, lead-pencil and orchid character. Such purity of fruit. Sleek and finely polished with a fine cut to the tannins that provide such grace and glamor. Yet, it’s got the power and structure to age for decades. On and on. Try after 2029.
99 points
James Suckling (Jan 2021)Checking in as a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot, the 2018 Château Lafite-Rothschild is one of those magical Lafites that offers an already up-front, complex, nuanced style yet has the class and balance to evolve for 40-50 years. As always, this wine is never about sheer power, and the 2018 offers a full-bodied, incredibly elegant and weightless style that carries textbook blackcurrant fruits, lead pencil shavings, green tobacco, cedarwood, and camphor aromas and flavors. I compared this wine to a more elegant version of the 2016 from barrel and I think that comparison still holds. Incredibly up-front and charming, and already drinkable with sweet tannins, it will unquestionably pick up more complexity and nuance over the coming 4-6 years. It should hit maturity around age 10 and evolve for 75 years or more given its perfect balance. This is a beautiful, quintessential Lafite that exudes elegance and charm. Drink 2027 - 2102.
98 points
Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2021)This stood out during en primeur, not just for itself but also in comparison to so many estates around it. While several properties had an unusual vintage, where their personalities were subverted by the weather conditions, Lafite just continued being Lafite, a true mark of its character and its terroir. This is still of course extremely young, keeping its cards close to its chest; the power for now is hidden, waiting, and will slowly unveil. This is going to be a beautiful Lafite in the future, a brilliant wine with bilberry, slate and pencil lead character, and a eucalyptus mint wash. 3.75pH. A yield of 40hl/ha. 40% of the production went into the grand vin. 74IPT. Drink 2028 - 2050.
98 points
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H by Hine VSOP Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 40%A blend of 20 Cognacs aged for a minimum of 4 years, from grapes grown in the Grande Champagne and the Petite Champagne regions of Cognac. 'H' was developed by Hine in response to bartender's requests for an inexpensive but highly aromatic Cognac for use in cocktails. To this end they've succeeded.
Tasting note: Burnished brassy / copper appearance. Straightforward bouquet with good intensity, offering scents of sweet leather, dried apricot and vanilla. A soft, light to medium bodied entry level VSOP with low-key dried apricot, vanillan oak and creme caramel flavours, remaining on the drier side. Ends light, thin, short. Reserve for cocktails.
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2006 Rockford Basket Press ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$299. 00Bottle$3588.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The brown glass, high-shouldered proprietary bottle gives the right message: this is a classic, gently understated Barossa Shiraz that will sail on for decades if the dubiously short cork permits. Drinking it sooner would not be a capital offence.
95 points
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Ambra Triple Sec Orange Liqueur (500ml)South Australia, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 25%Tasting note: [Formerly labelled 'Agrumello']. Made from a family recipe with specially grown citrus. Viscous, deep amber-orange. Aromatic mandarin peel and notes of fresh-sliced oranges. Straight up, it's pure and oily, the finish slightly candied with excellent length and delicate acidity lifting the aftertaste. Mix it with sparkling wine, tonic or soda. 25% Alc./Vol. - Fee Brothers Lemon Bitters (150ml)Rochester, New York, UNITED STATES$25. 99Bottle$311.88 DozenABV: 45.9%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.
A Fee Brothers original, Lemon Bitters is prepared from selected lemon oils, augmented with lemongrass to lend a snappy citrus taste to drinks. 45.9% Alc./Vol.

Click here for Classic Cocktails.
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2015 Bruno Giacosa AA Falletto Barolo FallettoPiedmont, ITALY$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Superb aromas of ripe fruit, such as plums and berries with peaches and tar. Very intense. Full body, great depth and density. Incredible richness and power with superb length and persistence. One of the most dense and vertical Falletos I have tasted. Try in 2025.
98 Points
Jamessuckling.comDense and firmly structured, this red features a distinctive saltiness underlying the floral, cherry, mineral and tobacco flavors. A bit standoffish now, but all the components are in the right proportions. Best from 2023 through 2048.
94 points
Bruce Sanderson - Wine Spectator -
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Jade 1901 Absinthe (700ml)Saumur, Loire Valley, FRANCE$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 68%Those already in the know will be familiar with Ted Breaux, a biochemist and researcher who grew up in New Orleans. Ted rose to fame when he cracked the “Absinthe code” in the late 1990s, employing gas chromatography to reverse engineer the spirit from sealed bottles of the 1901 original produced at the Pontarlier Pernod Fils factory several months before the facility burnt down. Ted subsequently set up a business, ‘Jade Liqueurs’, with the aim of recreating several ‘rediscovered’ Absinthes.
Jade 1901 Absinthe Supérieure represents the second release from Ted that was carefully reverse-engineered from sealed antique bottles. It should be noted that when a large cache of the pre-ban original was discovered in recent times, a few bottles were found to be in a remarkable state of preservation, retaining much of their original colour and freshness. Those who have been fortunate enough to taste these were unanimous in their remarks as to the striking similarities between the vintage bottles and the Jade 1901 Absinthe Supérieure pre-ban clone. Breaux employs a special copper pot still at the Combier Distillery and infuses the resulting eaux de vie with whole botanicals. The spirit is then rested for an average of three years before bottling.
Jade 1901 pours gold with a pretty bright jade-green blush. The opening bouquet has a dry, bitter feel including hints of tarragon, curry leaf, liquorice root and black jelly bean...with air contact, shades of chamomile and peppermint tea, lemon peel, anise and lanolin. Outstanding aromatic complexity. A bittersweet , spicy entry leads into a concentrated anise burst. Black jellybean fade. Very clean, linear, and elegant with excellent length. 1901 is possibly the most restrained in the collection, but by a small margin. 68% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Burnished gold in the glass, louching to opalescent light gold, and scented with bold notes of anise and licorice. The flavor is mild at first, but shows more anise on the long, rounded finish. 93 points - wineenthusiast.com
...a classic absinthe, balanced and crisp, with an appetizing herbal aroma and a smooth, lingering aftertaste.” Very mild. With sugar and water, it’s almost like a pastis, pleasant, refreshing, and easygoing. After awhile, I found the finish turning a touch bitter, like a dried herbal character. Lovely louche. - drinkhacker.com
...Jade 1901 is the second absinthe created by American absinthe expert, Ted Breaux and Combier to replicate a sample of 19th century. Combier uses two 1,100 litre copper alembics dating from 1870 and purchased from an absinthe distiller in Pontarlier in the early 1900s. Appearance: Clear, pale golden with green tinge. With water louches milky very pale dirty green. Aroma: Delicate green earthy herbal notes with angelica, sage, tarragon and faint citrussy lime blossom. Anise aromas are well integrated with cassia warming spice. Taste: Slight woodiness to a punchy anise tong numbing palate with nutmeg spice. Aftertaste:Long, wormwood and woody green anise finish. 4.5 stars. Recommended. - diffordsguide.com
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2016 Chateau Saint Pierre (Saint-Julien)Saint Julien, Bordeaux, FRANCE$175. 00Bottle$2100.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
Aged for 14 months in 50% new and 50% one-year-old French oak and blended of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Saint-Pierre leaps from the glass with exuberant Black Forest cake, blackberry compote and cassis with hints of cigars, earth and violets with a waft of iron ore. Medium-bodied, the palate has a firm frame of grainy tannins with fantastic energy and depth, finishing on a lingering chocolaty note. Drink 2021-2046.
94+ points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe 2016 Saint-Pierre has an intriguing bouquet of baked black cherries, dark chocolate, espresso and gamy notes, the oak regime more prominent compared to its peers within this Saint-Julien flight. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, and the oak is more assimilated here than on the nose. Nicely detailed and very poised, although there is a touch of dryness right on the finish. I suspect there will be improvement with bottle age. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting. Drink 2024-2048.
95 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (Jan 2020)This is fantastic, offering lots of fresh tobacco and blackcurrants and undertones of hazelnuts and chocolate. Full-bodied with firm and chewy tannins, yet ever so polished and refined. One of the most structured St. Pierre’s in years. A blend of 73 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 21 per cent merlot and six per cent cabernet franc. Try from 2024.
96 points
James Suckling (Jan 2019)Coming from 50-year-old vines and a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Château Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is in the same ballpark as the 2015 yet shows a slightly more elegant, classic feel, which is very much in the style of the vintage. Beautiful notes of crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed rocks, tobacco, and lead pencil shavings as well as some smoky notes with time in the glass all flow to a deep, full-bodied, concentrated Saint-Julien that has fine tannin, flawless balance and integration, no hard edges, and a great finish. This brilliant wine from winemaker Jean-Louis Triaud will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 25-30 years. Drink 2023-2053.
96+ points
Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2019) - Sheridan's Coffee Layered Liqueur (500ml)Dublin, IRELAND$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenABV: 15.5%
Sheridan’s is an exciting blend of dark, rich coffee liqueur, layered with a cool, smooth vanilla cream liqueur. Experience it at its best served on ice of with coffee. Consume within six months of opening.
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- Packaging may vary
- Nicks Import
Ciroc Peach Flavoured Vodka (700ml)FRANCE$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 37.5%Like the original vodka, Ciroc Peach is made using fine French grapes that are cold fermented and distilled five times with the final distillation in a pot still. The vodka is then carefully blended with all-natural ingredients (a unique balance of peach and other tropical fruit essences) to create an exceptionally smooth liquid.
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All Saints Estate Grand Rutherglen Muscadelle (375ml)Rutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$67. 99Bottle$815.88 DozenABV: 18%Closure: Glass StopperDeep sienna brown colour with olive green edges. Excellent aroma of toffee, raisin and honey. The palate is luscious showing great concentration of flavours of caramel and honey followed by a hint of light raisin on the back palate. Clean finish. Long honey caramel aftertaste.
Drink (2006)
Alc/Vol: 18% -
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Imbue Distillery The Elixir Gin Liqueur (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 22%Tasting note: [Batch 2] Turbid, honey yellow with dark particles evident (vanilla bean?) Well defined aromas and flavours of bush honey, boiled lemon peels and light vanilla yoghurt. Pure and fresh with tangy acidity retained in the lemon-forward delivery. Great mouthfeel. Like a hot toddy with gin. Try it topped with soda (like a grown up old fashioned lemonade) or shaken into a gin sour. 20% Alc./Vol. -
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Croser SparklingAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2009-2011)ABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkProduced from a blend of 64% Pinot Noir and 36% Chardonnay this wine is aged for 18 months on yeast lees. Excellent white creamy mousse with exceptionally fine and very persistent bead. Straw colour base wine. Aromas of apple, pear, cashew and yeast lees. Fruit driven palate with flavours of citrus, grapefruit, yeast lees and toast – quite full flavoured and displaying good length. Creamy texture with clean finish. Aftertaste of citrus, grapefruit and lees.
Drink over the next 2 years (2009-2011)
13.5% Alc - Licor 43 Cuarenta Y Tres Liqueur (700ml)Cartagena, SPAIN$62. 99Bottle$755.88 DozenABV: 43%
'Cuarenta y Tres' is Spain's leading liqueur and has been made in Cartagena by Diego Zamora since 1924 although it's origins go back many centuries. The name Licor 43 derives from the 43 basic elements that constitute “Spain’s national liqueur.” These are principally fruit and fragrant herbs. With it's smooth vanilla and citrus flavours it is a formula which has won the following of a wide and diverse consumer base. Drunk straight, Licor 43 is unique. As a mixer it is amazingly versatile.
Tasting Note: Old gold color with an electric brilliance. Spicy vanilla nut cake aromas. A round syrupy entry leads to a sweet medium-to full-bodied palate with peppery spice, cola nut, vanilla cake. Finishes with a vanilla cupcake fade and dash of brandy. Try with coffee.
RATED: 86 points (Highly Recommended)
- Tasting note sourced from www.tastings.comsize>
Classic Cocktail: Blanton’s Punch
1.5 shot(s) Blanton's - Special Reserve Bourbon
0.5 shot(s) LICOR 43 - Cuarenta y Tres
1 Passion Fruit
15ml Lemon Juice
0.5 shots Sugar Syrup
2 shots Pineapple juice
0.5 shots Lemon Juice
0.5 shot(s) PASSOA
Method: Shake all the ingredients vigorously with ice, then strain and serve into a highball glass.Experiment with Licor 43 yourself, or sample these:“Margarita”: 1 part Licor 43;
2 parts Tequila; 2 parts lemon mix;
Serve in a Margarita glass salted on rim.
“Dreamsicle”: ¼ Licor43; ¼ milk;
2/4 orange juice;
pour over cinnamon powder, mix and serve with ice.

Click here to learn more about Liqueurs.
Click here for Classic Cocktails. - G.E. Massenez Creme de Myrtille (Blueberry) Liqueur (500ml)Alsace, FRANCE$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenABV: 20%
Massenez Myrtille is produced from bilberries, AKA The European Blueberry. A bilberry is any of several species of low-growing shrubs in the genus Vaccinium (family Ericaceae), bearing edible berries. The fruit is smaller than that of the blueberry but with a fuller taste. Bilberries are darker in colour, and usually appear near black with a slight shade of purple. While the blueberry's fruit pulp is light green, the bilberry's is red or purple, heavily staining the fingers and lips of consumers eating the raw fruit. The red juice is used by European dentists to show children how to brush their teeth correctly, as any improperly brushed areas will be heavily stained. Bilberries are extremely difficult to grow and are thus seldom cultivated.
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. 20% alc/vol
No tasting notes available.

Click here to learn more about Liqueurs
- The Simple Syrup Co. Crawley's Bartender Agave Syrup (750ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenClosure: Screw CapThanks to the careful council of International Tequila Kings Phil Bailey and Julio Bermejo, Crawley’s Bartender Agave is designed to flow through pour spouts and not clog up in cocktail shakers, injecting your drinks with the finest organic Agave flavour on the market. Made from 100% organic Agave. Suggested cocktails for inclusion are the Applejack Rabbit, Paperbark Rye, Blackbeard and the Donkey Show.
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2016 Penfolds St. Henri ShirazSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinOther Reviews….
This is a much anticipated vintage for St. Henri, and it does not disappoint. The complexity of fruit here is stunning, together with a very complex and playfully fragrant, spicy edge with graphite, roasted coffee and woody spices, framing a core of very fresh blackberries, red and dark cherries and blueberries. So fresh and brimming with fruit aromas. The palate has a stunning array of deeply fleshy fruit flavors with a superb sense of length and powerful, ripe tannin, underpinning vibrant, fleshy fruit that is beautifully assembled in a refined, elegant and impressively pure mode. So long and pure. Silky and elegant. A real masterpiece, taking its place among the finest vintages like 2010, 1990 and 1971. 95% shiraz and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Drink over the next three decades.
98 points
JamesSuckling.com
The 2016 St Henri Shiraz is one of the finest St Henris I've ever tasted, rivaling the likes of the 1986 or 1976. It's concentrated and rich, the essence of South Australia Shiraz (although it's been lightened by the addition of 5% Cabernet Sauvignon), unleavened by any new oak. Dark and tarry, it delivers notes of espresso and black olive, plummy fruit and roasted meat. Full-bodied and dense on the palate, it ends long, dark and savory. Drink 2020-2040.
96 points
Joe Czerwinski – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
The St. Henri cuvée is always brought up all in neutral oak casks, and the 2016 is a blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with just 690 cases produced. This was a great vintage for South Australia, and this blockbuster sports a deep purple color as well as a dense, powerful, meaty bouquet of smoked black fruits, chocolate, bouquet garni, bay leaf, mint, and plenty of earthy minerality. Reminding me of an Hermitage from the likes of Delas Frères, it’s full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a stacked mid-palate and loads of ripe tannins. Backward and mostly potential at this point, it’s nevertheless a thrilling Shiraz readers should give 4-5 years of bottle age and it will knock your socks off over the coming two decades. Drink 2025-2045.
97+ points
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Noah's Mill Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$169. 99Bottle$2039.88 DozenABV: 57.15%Note: ABV may vary from batch to batch. Tasting note: [BATCH QBC 16-25 tasted] Bright brassy copper. Dessert style opening sniffs include tea biscuits, vanilla fudge, mocha and hints of sticky date. Air contact dries and lightens the bouquet introducing liquorice root, and fresher, woody/peppery notes. Linear on entry. Mid palate is mildly bittersweet, bolder, oily, resinous, plummy, warming but keenly balanced at high ABV. Finishes with a brisk flurry of sweet baking spices and late cedary oak. 57.15% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... "The oldest of the four in years, and also the highest in alcohol. It has managed to maintain its balance of flavors and keep the oak notes from becoming too dominant. Bolder and more masculine than Rowan’s Creek, but not as teasing or seductive. Still, it’s a great effort. 89 points - www.maltadvocate.com, Vol. 14, #2 “Stunning small grain, the rye in particular starring...This is one of Kentucky’s most complex whiskies by far. Small grains, big heart.” 91 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible -
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TinCup American Whiskey (700ml)UNITED STATES$73. 99Bottle$887.88 DozenABV: 42%Very distinctive packaging on this new release from Jess Graber, a former fire fighter and hobby distiller of 30 years who turned full-time in 2004. Produced from a blend of corn, rye and malt barley, cut with Colorado Rocky Mountain water, expect a nice balance between bourbon-like notes and peppery rye (the tin cap also works as a cup as was traditionally used). 42% Alc./Vol. - G.E. Massenez Poire William Liqueur (700ml)FRANCE$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenABV: 25%
The pear tree was first grown in ancient Europe. Pliny recorded thirty eight different species. Today, that figure is estimated at more than five thousand. Poire William [pronounced pwahr WEEL-yahm] is a sweet pear liqueur named after the variety of pear the French call “Williams Bon-Chretien”, and which secular society calls Bartlett. A Poire William can be either a true pear brandy, distilled from pears, or a hybrid, made by infusing crushed pear with a grape-based spirit. Some bottles of Poire William contain a whole pear, a feat accomplished by placing a bottle over the budding fruit and allowing it to grow inside. 25% Alc./Vol.
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Willie Smith Pommeau (700ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 21%Formerly Charles Oates, you will recognise the name Willie Smiths from the popular organic cider range. A popular French aperitif, Pommeau is a blend of apple brandy with fresh cider apple juice, then aged in oak. Enjoy neat or subbed in your favourite apple-forward cocktail.
- Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml)Fife, SCOTLAND$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 40%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
This 18 Year Old blend is reported to have more of an intense, peaty character when compared to the Clynelish dominant Gold Label. Platinum is positioned between Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve Label within the hierarchy. -
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Manly Spirits Zesty Limoncello Liqueur (700ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenABV: 23%Tasting note: Made to a traditional family recipe from the Amalfi Coast but includes foraged Australian botanicals. Slightly hazy, pale yellow green with aromas of home made lemonade and lemon meringue. Entry is impressively thick and viscous with semi-sweet lemon cordial flavours. The finish is short and sweet, lacking acidic bite. 23% Alc./Vol. -
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Tesseron Lot 90 XO Ovation Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$195. 00Bottle$2340.00 DozenABV: 40%With an average age of just over ten years old, Lot 90 is the youngest of Tesseron’s XO cognacs. Predominantly distilled in the 1990s using 100% Ugni Blanc from Grand Champagne, Petite Champagne and Fins Bois, the opening passes offer heavy scents of ripe apricots, figs and candied fruits, also hinting at nectarine, banana, vanilla, white pepper and light rancio. Silky, medium-weight and graceful in the mouth, leaning towards passionfruit and fresh figs, the finish is finely tannic, oaky, poised and borderline succulent with a nice rebound. The 'biggest' of the Tesseron line up, without departing too far from the house style. Tasted from a 50ml sample. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... "The latest release from this small but perfectly formed Cognac house. And what a price!" 95 points Wine & Spirit Magazine
"The aromas are more on the sugary side, molasses, crème brulee and some toasted wood, good structure on the palate; it has a pleasant bitterness that gives structure, some dried fruits and a slightly sweeter finish." - Andreas Larsson (Best Sommelier of the World, 2007)
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Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin (500ml)Lossburg, GERMANY$95. 99Bottle$1151.88 DozenABV: 47%This is the Gin that had world famous U.S. wine critic, Robert Parker, spellbound [see his review below]. Much to his consternation it was almost impossible to obtain a bottle in the States. The only way to get it in Australia is to source it yourself. So we did!
Monkey 47 is definitely on a short list of hard to find but worth-the-wait gins. Produced in the Black Forest in Germany from no less than 47 botanicals (mostly from the region). Unusual ingredients include blackberry leaves, sloes, honeysuckle, pine shoots, cranberries and lingonberries. Following distillation and maceration, the gin is stored for 100 days in earthenware 'casks'. We've just imported a tiny quantity. Beautifully packaged in an old world apothecary bottle. 47% Alc./Vol.Tasting note: [Batch 16 tasted] Crystal clear / slightly viscous. Fabulous aromatics with juniper and lemon sherbet in the opening phase; aeration accents pine needle, potpourri and pepper. Intense but beautifully poised with pine needle, peppery juniper, dried herb and grapefruit flavours unfolding in a slow release surge. Possibly better all round balance in this latest effort? Concludes fresh, pure and super long. First rate. 47% Alc./Vol.
First tasted 2011... Clear with a silvery, glycerous appearance. The initial perfumed burst is of sweet berry / juniper and assorted fresh citrus peel; further aeration releases pine needle, lavender and clove-like scents. Distinctive and somewhat unconventional, some tasters found the aromatics a little cologne like. On the palate, this begins soft and glycerous, gradually building intensity, climaxing in an explosion of peppers; Mid palate is off dry and oily with juniper, lavender, pine needle and spice flavours persisting into the long, very dry after taste. Bracing stuff! 94 points 47% Alc./vol.Other reviews…. Clear. Bold aromas of pine blossoms, exotic peppercorns, candied lemon and orange peels, sage, and sweet bbq rub with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a zesty lavender candy, pepper, powdered sugar, and tangerine sorbet finish. An excellent and unique combination of vibrant citrus, floral, and herbal dimensions. Will be outstanding in cocktails.
"...something I am trying to track down for my personal use, an absolutely extraordinary perfumed, intense, silky gin called Monkey 47, which is made in Germany's Black Forest. Packaged in a small 500 mls bottle, it is not that expensive (approximately $100), but it was a remarkable gin. In Europe it is apparently available at top liquor shops, so if you can find it, it is an astonishing gin."
International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
RATING: 93 points (Exceptional) - www.tastings.com
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate #206 April 2013
Click here to learn more about Gin.
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White Possum Naked Amaretto Liqueur (500ml)AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 24%To date, the first and only Australian made Amaretto, created using bitter almonds and strawberry gum, the latter adding a floral boost. Locally grown almonds are cooked and infused in sugarcane spirit for several weeks resulting in bold marzipan flavours. The result is a wonderfully aromatic liqueur with a viscous, plush, silky-sweet burst of liquid marzipan closing slightly fresher. Nutty and moreish, it's great amaretto. 24% Alc./Vol.
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Negro Acquavite di Vinaccia Grappa (700ml)ITALY$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenABV: 40%Tasting note: Crystalline appearance. Pure and vivacious bouquet is fruity / bready, with succulent aromas of dark plum, beeswax, later drying to fresh prunes, raisins and fruit bread. Light on its feet, evolving mild spirit heat with flavours of prune, dried apricot and raisins in an oily, pure, silky delivery. Finishes cleansing, nicely poised with hints of dark chocolate, orange pith, wax and raisin. A complex and delectable grappa that delivers the goods. 40% Alc./vol. -
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Castarede XO 20 Year Old Armagnac (700ml)Armagnac, FRANCE$169. 99Bottle$2039.88 DozenABV: 40%Armagnac from the Bas region is considered to have the most finesse, also tending to yield spirits that are very supple in their youth. Plantings are mostly Bacco and Ugni Blanc. The Northwestern portion of the Bas-Armagnac (known casually as the Grand Bas Armagnac) has a concentration of quality producers, especially in the department of Les Landes.
This superb example from Castaredes has been produced from Ugni blanc, Folle Blanche, Colombard and Baco 22 varietals and aged in excess of 20 years.
Tasting note: Deep polished copper / mahogany colour is bright and shows ideal clarity. Gradually builds, issuing a mild nose prickle as it releases vanilla, mocha and date to open. Returning 5-8 minutes later finds the accent shifted towards mocha, brown sugar and brittle toffee-apple. Clean, fresh, concentrated and beautifully balanced, it offers semi sweet flavours of coffee, cocoa and prunes; hints of black pepper accentuate towards the finish delivering a pleasant heat to conclude satisfying, dry and woody with a cafe-creme, hazelnut fade. 40% Alc./Vol.
- Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) - Old PackagingKent, UNITED STATES$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 50.5%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Wild Turkey's 'Kentucky Spirit' is a limited release, 101°proof release drawn from a single barrel. Each barrel is hand-selected at the peak of maturity before the bourbon is poured out and bottled. A stickler for quality, Jimmy Russell personally selects each of the barrels used. His challenge is to find single barrels that capture the essence of Wild Turkey, while at the same time, having a similarity that gives each taste of Kentucky Spirit consistency from bottle to bottle.
"Kentucky Spirit has a complex layering of almonds, honey, blackberries and leather. The finish is almost aristocratic -- long, dark, lingering, and crying out for a fine cigar", he says.
Available in limited quantities, each and every bottle is handsomely packaged with a hand-signed label bearing the barrel number, date and warehouse number. 50.5% Alc./Vol.
- The Bitter End Thai Bitters (59ml)UNITED STATES$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenABV: 45%
A wonderful Asian inspired mixture of Thai chilli, lemongrass, kaffir lime, coriander, quassia, galangal and spearmint. Try it in sweet drinks and Champagne cocktails. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Bitter End Company prides itself on using the freshest natural ingredients and hand-making all of its bitters with attention to detail.
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El Dorado 8 Year Old Rum (700ml)GUYANA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 40%El Dorado 8 Year Old - a product of the worlds oldest and most revered rum stills.Sugar was first produced in Guyana in 1658. By 1670 every sugar factory had a small Rum Still attached to it. This was the origin of Demerara, and Demerara Rums. Over a period of time there were steep fluctuation in prices that resulted in the closure of some sugar estates and consolidation of others. Today the associated stills have rationalised into one distillery - Demerara Distillers Limited, the makers of El Dorado. In 1740 Admiral Vernon formalized the rum ration for the Navy, with the rum composed of 82% Demerara and 18% other Caribbean Rums. The Port Mourant double wooden pot still (built in 1732) became the favoured source of Demerera Rum for the British Pursers. Before entering into battle the rations (tots) were doubled and British Navy men, steeled by the liquid courage tore into the enemy. Rum, and the classic stills that produced it, helped make Britain the supreme power at sea, forging an empire and the classic era for this great spirit.
El Dorado 8 Year Old is a blend of Enmore (built in 1880, the world’s oldest and only wooden, column Coffey still), Port Mourant and the modern Diamond (steel column) stills. It is aged a minimum of 8 years in ex-Bourbon casks.
Tasting notes: The deep brassy gold colour is flawless and bright. Offers up an attractive, mildly fruity bouquet including scents of dried pineapple and bounty bar. Raisins and dates come to the fore after several minutes in the glass. The aromas are reflected on the palate which is creamy with semi sweet, juicy sultana / date / fruit cake flavours. Concludes balanced, creamy-yet-fresh with mocha and vanilla custard tailing off into a gently spicy fade. Utterly delicious. 40% Alc./Vol.

Click here to learn more about Rum. - Rittenhouse Very Rare 23 Year Old 100 Proof Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$4999. 00Bottle$59988.00 DozenABV: 50%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Produced in the tradition of the classic Pennsylvania or Monongahela rye whiskies, Rittenhouse is now enjoying a renaissance. On the other hand, its older incarnations have become hugely collectable. This bottle is from barrel No.8. Reportedly the smaller production run in the extra aged Rittenhouse series (the others were the 21 and 25 year olds), as a point of comparison, the 21-year-old release was 32 barrels. The 23-year-old was just 25 barrels. While all three expressions were aged on the lowest floors of rickhouse OO, as single-barrel releases, each barrel release will yield a slightly different whiskey. Produced at the scenic Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, home of numerous other whiskies - mostly bourbons - the 23 Year Old comes packaged in a tall tapered, gold-printed bottle. It goes without saying that this is now extremely unusual to find. 50% Alc./Vol.
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Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 45.2%Tasting note: Bright polished copper-penny colour. Linseed oil gives way to pine needle, peppermint and sawn oak on the nose. Very low-key rye. Sedate on entry with delicate dried coconut and supporting apply rye accents on the finish. Medium long with subtle mint refreshing the aftertaste. Highly accessible. Should appeal to Bourbon drinkers more so than hardcore rye devotees. 45.2% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... Distilled from a relatively low-rye mash of 53% rye, 33% corn, 14% malt; true to Woodford Reserve form, a mingling of whiskeys distilled at Woodford and at Brown-Forman in Louisville. Nose of leather, cinnamon, rye snappiness, and hints of red raspberry. Hot and lean on the palate, spicy/sweet until rye’s bitter layering floats in, making for a dry finish as the oak comes on stronger. Balances drinkable and elegant quite nicely, and it’s real Woodford. 88 points
- www.maltadvocate.com, (Summer 2015) Reviewed by: Lew Bryson -
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Warrabilla Grand Tawny (500ml)Rutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenABV: 18.5%Closure: StelvinAndrew Sutherland-Smith has fashioned this tawny from a base of 2002 Cabernet with some 1991 Fairfield sweet red and a bit of young shiraz from the Parola’s vineyard to add freshness. The average age of the blend is 15 years.
Dark onion brown colour with an onion brown and green olive hue. Top notes of marzipan and Christmas cake laced with some honeyed raisin characters are followed by walnuts and fine old brandy spirit. Rich luscious textural feel with flavours of marzipan and honeyed raisins intermixed with almond. Warm mellow spirit background. Long dry nutty rancio finish and aftertaste.
Alc 18.5% - Scrappy's Fire Tincture Bitters (148ml)Washington State, UNITED STATES$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenABV: 44.3%Scrappy's started with the simple idea that, “Bitters could be better!", with a focus to create bitters using nearly all organic ingredients of the highest quality with no artificial flavours, chemicals, or dyes. One of the newest flavours in the Scrappy's cocktail bitter portfolio is "Firewater Bitters." If you like your Bloody Mary's hot'n'spicy then the Habenero chile base in this bitters will work for you! 44.3% Alc.Vol.
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Flor de Cana Grand Reserve 7 Year Old Rum (700ml)Chichigalpa, NICARAGUA$75. 99Bottle$911.88 DozenABV: 40%Nicaragua is an often neglected yet noteworthy producer of medium-bodied Rums from column stills that lend themselves well to aging. Thanks to the exceptional quality maintained by distillers like Flor de Cana, the region's rums have begun to gain well deserved international recognition. Flor de Cana is owned and produced by Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua, which was founded in 1890. Although the brand was not marketed commercially until 1937, it is today considered one of Latin America's most prestigious rums, and has won a multitude of awards, medals and commendations.
The seven year old bottling is aged in small (180 liter) American oak barrels, resulting in a deep brass / amber colour. Medium-intense aromas include muted golden syrup and pancake-like scents followed by vanilla pod and mocha in later passes. Quite light on entry, building to a graceful, middle-weight, svelte textured profile and semi-sweet flavours of caramel fudge, dates and vanilla. Dry, gently peppery finish. A nicely integrated and elegant sipping rum to enjoy on its own. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Deep amber color. Burnt caramel, straw, and peppery spice aromas. A round entry leads to a dryish medium-bodied palate with dark caramel, toasted nuts, and cane stalk, and pepper flavors. Finishes with a drying mineral and lightly tannic, toasted coconut fade. A dry, reserved style.
International Review of Spirits Award: Silver Medal , 88 points (Highly Recommended) - tastings.com... I was actually very pleasantly surprised overall by Flor De Cana 7. In many ways, even forgetting the price difference – this is actually a better rum than its older brother the 12 Centenario. It might as daft as it sounds even be the younger blend and the fiery alcohol that brings this drink to life. For me the Centenario was just dull and lifeless. It wasn’t awful but it was unexciting and so alarmingly middle of the road I doubt I would even want a bottle at half the price. I really like this as a mixer and would definitely recommend it for a more punchy Rum and Cola. It works on quite a few different levels and is contradictory in many ways but it all seems to come together when you get mixing. 4 stars - thefatrumpirate.com
- G.E. Massenez Creme a la Fraise des Bois (Wild Strawberry) Liqueur (500ml)Alsace, FRANCE$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenABV: 20%Closure: Stelvin
Uncompromising on 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 crème liqueurs. The company has won many awards at international exhibitions. 20% alc/vol
No tasting notes available.
- Dr. Adam Elmegirab's Limited Edition Spanish Bitters (100ml)UNITED KINGDOM$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenABV: 38%Closure: Cork
Sourcing knowledge from patent bitters recipes, old formulae and medical journals, Adam Elmegirab has reformulated the defunct Gainer's Spanish Bitters (a recipe made popular in the 1800's for their alleged medicinal properties and complex flavour profile which included layers of chamomile, citrus, spice, violet, and berries) to produce his personal rendition based predominantly on citrus and chamomile. Botanicals are steeped in overproof spirit for no less than two weeks, which are then filtered, diluted to bottling strength with Scottish water, and coloured with a hint of caramel.
Here is what Adam had to say when asked about his new creation:
"I’ve not come across anything like them to be honest. The really interesting thing for me is the fact that these are essentially classic bitters, but they also have a very modern feel. As with any quality bitters they should have multiple uses so, although the dominant flavour is chamomile, the support flavourings of citrus, coriander, honey, soft spice, and violet give them great versatility in drinks calling for citrus, floral, spiced, earthy, fruity, and bitter notes."Experiment with these bitters in rum based cocktails or similarly dark spirits Below is the recipe Adam created especially, enjoy!
Cocktail Recipe: The Union Flip
-1 barspoon Caraway Seeds
-4 crunches black peppercorn
-1 whole egg
-30ml Appleton 8 Year Old rum
-30ml Licor 43
-4 dashes Dr. Adam Elmegirab’s Spanish Bitters
-1 teaspoon simple syrupMuddle caraway seeds in base of mixing glass, add remaining ingredients, and dry shake for five seconds. Fill with cubed ice and shake hard for a further ten seconds. Fine strain into a small frozen wine glass and garnish with grated nutmeg.
No Tasting Notes Available...

Click here for Classic Cocktails.
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Arran Barrel Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Isle of Arran, SCOTLAND$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 43%As of late 2019, all the Arrans sport new packaging, designed by London agency Stranger & Stranger. The label now features iconography in the shape of Arran Island, with a pair of native eagles enclosed by 'ripples' reflecting the island’s mountain waterfalls. This entry level expression shows off Arran's house style; Soft aromas of vanilla and pineapple pudding follow with delectable pear strudel and vanilla malt flavours before finishing creamy, with a touch of coastal tang. There's decent weight and mouthfeel at 43%, while the overall balance remains spot on. A profile reminiscent of older Glenfiddichs, and very easy to like. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... White peach, juicy green pear, vanilla, and green tea meet the fresh aromas of clean sheets flapping on the clothesline in a crisp spring breeze. The palate is silky and light-bodied, sweet with biscuity malt, toasted almonds, cantaloupe, and milk chocolate; a few drops of water evoke oily sprays of lemon, grapefruit, and orange. Creamy and nutty on the finish, sprinkled with toasted almonds, bittersweet oak, and a whiff of tobacco. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com
- Baitz White Creme de Cacao Liqueur (500ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenABV: 23%Crème de Cacao or chocolate liqueur is manufactured by maceration or percolation of cacao (cocoa)beans followed by distillation and sweetening. As with coffee, the best results are obtained by blending beans from different areas. It is available as either a colourless or brown liquid, the brown version often containing vanilla.
The history of cocoa and chocolate is well known to date back to the Aztecs of South America. The ‘plumed serpent’ is said to have bought it back from the ‘Lost Paradise.’ By consuming it one attained universal knowledge and wisdom. It came into vogue in Europe as a liqueur from the seventeenth century on, often being drunk through a thick layer of cream floating on the surface.
Baitz Crème de Cacao has been blended with Australian Brandy and other spirits, rounded off by the addition of vanilla bean extract and spices.
Baitz liqueurs have won more awards than any other maker in Australia. Their commitment to excellence and quality is unequalled. The judges in the 19th International Wine & Spirits Show in the United Kingdom recognised this with Baitz Cherry Brandy awarded the 1988 Quest International Trophy for the Best Liqueur (Category Worldwide). Baitz Cherry Brandy also received a Gold Award and Baitz Creme de Menthe and Baitz Creme de Cacao both received Silver Awards. The highly acclaimed 'Lillie Trophy' in Melbourne, Australia, which was first awarded in 1951, has been won by Baitz almost every year. 23% Alc.Vol.
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Bruichladdich The Laddie 8 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 50%"Quite a bulky youngster that’s best with water." - whiskyadvocate.com A travel retail exclusive. Head Distiller, Adam Hannett's aim was to capture the whisky's floral notes alongside the more typical coastal elements. Hence this youthful, unpeated and non chill filtered Laddie is described as "An elegant expression of Bruichladdich style. Super fruity and full of Atlantic freshness."
Other reviews... Another Travel Retail exclusive, and while you might expect something delicate given the age statement, what is delivered is a thick, buttery/creamy opening that, for a second, teeters on the brink of sourness then pulls back to be more like ricotta cheese. It then settles into vanilla, floral notes, white chocolate, and sweet barley. The palate is thick once again, with lemon cheesecake giving a needed clean acidity. Quite a bulky youngster that’s best with water.
81 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Dave Broom (Summer 2016)The sugars surge and soar in impressive manner, the mid range smokiness benefiting. But there is a tightness which does very few favours.
83 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2018 - The Macallan 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Annual 2017 ReleaseSpeyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$1499. 00Bottle$17988.00 DozenABV: 43%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Another variation from the history of Macallans ever-changing labeling conventions - this 18 Year old carrying a release year rather than a "vintage distilled" statement.Exclusively matured in specially selected sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain. 43% Alc./Vol.
- De Kuyper Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps Liqueur (700ml)Schiedam, NETHERLANDS$52. 99Bottle$635.88 DozenABV: 15%
Sour Apple Pucker is a member of DeKuyper's Pucker sweet and sour schnapps family, with a flavour similar to Granny Smith apples. The company says the cordial delivers a burst of sweet apple flavour followed by a mouth puckering sour. It makes a great shot and can be mixed for colourful and tangy cocktails, including the creation of a perfect 'Appletini'. 15% Alc./Vol.
Appletini: This popular martini may have help save the Martini! Ladies love the sweetness, guys like the bite. Adjust the apple pucker to taste and keep it really cold. It's best to chill both the vodka and the apple pucker.
Equal parts: Vodka & Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps.
Add a dash of Apple Juice or Cider if desired.
Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with an Apple Slice.
















































