2025 | Spirits, $10 to $20

"Creamy powdered sugar and talc aromas. Supple and delicate on the palate with a lightly glycerous texture and dusty minerality with hints of sweet anise and citrus. Finishes soft and clean."

"Opening nose hints of pine tar, dark caramel and maple syrup with subtle notes of brown sugar and honey. Palate entry has a silk texture; at midpalate there’s a minor explosion of dried fruit and chocolate cherry flavor. Concludes quiet and mild. Best Buy." 85-89 pts.

"Chocolate-covered crushed hazelnuts and almonds aromas with a deft touch of mint and coconut. A rich, satiny entry leads to a plush, moderately sweet medium-full body of toasted coconut, delicate marzipan, mint leaf, and creamy nougat flavors. Finishes effortlessly with roasted walnuts and a breath of whisky. Remarkable texture and smoothness. A classic cream liqueur."

"The bouquet features charred paper smells of toasted walnuts, roasted chestnuts, paraffin, cardboard, parchment, dry grain and herbs. Entry is grainy sweet and moderately oily; the midpalate stage is loaded with grainy breakfast cereal flavors and, at times, even comes off like oatmeal. Ends well on an oily, satiny note." 85-89 pts.

"Originated in 1862, BACARDI® Superior is the original rum, aged between one to two years in carefully selected oak barrels. After ageing, the rums are blended and passed through a second charcoal filtration to achieve maximum clarity BACARDI smoothness."

"Pale golden amber color. Shy caramel and saddlesoap aromas. A round entry leads to an off-dry medium-bodied palate with caramel taffy, sweet creamed corn, and black pepper flavors. Finishes with a sweet caramel and pepper fade. Confected, but appealing and a good choice of margaritas."

"Clear. Spicy aromas of star anise, cream, minerals and powdered sugar follow through to a round, silky entry and a smooth off-dry medium-to-full body with a long, lingering whipped cream, spice, rye dough, and sweet citrus fade with virtually no heat. Great subtle, pure, and spicy rye flavors with a lively texture and superb smoothness. An incredible value in a world of high priced vodkas."

"The nosing finds dry grainy notes with background scents of dried flowers and parchment, and deeper fragrances of light toffee, almond paste and yellow fruit. Entry is oily, buttery and semisweet; the whisky dazzles at midpalate with layered flavors of brown butter, cooking oil, barley malt and oatmeal cookie underpinned by the single malt foundation. Concludes smoky, satiny and ultra-sophisticated." 90-95 pts.

"Golden color. Buttery oak and caramel aromas. Round and soft entry. Dry light to-medium body with lean oak, taffy, and spice notes. Finishes with a dried fruit and oaky spice fade with a nice touch of heat."

"Old gold color. Dried peach, golden raisin, fig, praline, and spicy cocoa aromas. A soft, silky entry leads to a dryish medium body of creamy vanilla, maple on porridge, and dried fruit flavors. Finishes with a smooth, delicately spicy, melted toffee fade. A fine sipper. Best Buy."