5 | Mexico, $100 and up

"Honey, papaya, green pepper, herbs, and creamy spice aromas follow through to a very soft and smooth entry with a satiny, dry-yet-fruity medium body of dried tropical fruit, nutmeg, verbena, and wet stone flavors. Finishes with a peppery and sweet, mineral accented fade. A very soft, elegant, fruity, and feminine style of blanco with great appeal."

Very few bottles of this commemeration of the 60th anniversary of Don Julio's first commercial tequila production exist. Sublime and rich, this special anejo is a tequila (and brandy) lovers dream.

"Casa Dragones is 100% Blue Agave Joven Tequila. Our tequila is hand-made in small batches in Tequila, Mexico, using a multiple distillation process for a clean, extra soft taste. Our Maestro Tequilero hand-finishes each bottle by gently balancing platinum tequila with a hint of extra añejo. This entire process is designed with a singular purpose: to deliver a tequila so smooth, it can only be called a sipping tequila."

"Brilliant copper color. Sweet, robust aromas of vanilla, toasted coconut, dried fruit, roasted nuts, and leather. A soft, supple entry leads to a smooth medium-to full-bodied palate with rich spice, toffee, nuts, caramelized agave, and pepper flavors. Finishes with a long fade of pure chocolate, toasty oak, brown spices, dried fruit, and agave flavors. A complete tequila with great balance, effortless grace, and brooding power." 2005 Reviewed.

"Rich golden amber color. Vibrant aromas of pineapple, vanilla custard, eucalyptus honey, and spicy caramelized nuts follow through on a round, supple entry to a big, juicy,fruity and round full body with lush waves of marzipan, candied ginger, pineapple and other tropical fruits, browns spices, and pepper. Finishes with a very long wave of evolving fruit, spice, and pepper flavors all in exquisite balance. An outstanding rich, over-the-top añejo."

The tequila equivalent of a fine cognac. A marriage of 5 year old and selected blanco lots, this elegant, delicate dram is married in old A. Fussigny cognac barrels. Delicate agave aromas on top of a soft, elegant dried fruit sweetness.

A tequila to compare to the finest, most elegant brandies in the world. Herbal notes from the agave, Bourbon notes from the 4 years in barrel, this gem is a collectors dream.

A rare mezcal produced from wild, mountain grown Maguey Agave in Oaxaca state. Much fruit on the nose, Tobala has a massive mouthfeel. Look for notes of cinnamon and mango as this spirit finishes in time marked by minutes, not seconds.

"The nosing passes find zesty scents of jalapeños with deeper aromas of dill pickle, relish, textile, oaky vanillin, salt and brine. Entry is sweet, salty, peppery, and oily; midpalate features creamy, oily and tangy flavors that coat the tongue. Ends earthy, sweet, satiny, concentrated and oily. A classic extra añejo." 96-100 pts.