1 | Spirits | United States, $20 to $50

Deep gold, with an amber cast. Medium bodied. Reminiscent of peach, apricot, almonds. Soft, smooth texture. Slightly round and lush on the palate. Pleasantly fruity, with engaging notes of nutty spice. Lively, persistent finish.

A new vodka from the Lonestar State, truly hand-crafted in a single pot still. Double Gold at the World Spirits Competition, whose elite panel of judges included our nationally recognized Spirits Specialist Joe Congiusti.

"Deep amber color. Highly polished aromas of creamy vanilla, pickling spices, and buttery pralines. A delicate, silky entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of honeyed grain, sweet baking spice, vanilla bean, and pralines. Finishes with a long, rich fruity caramel, peppery spice and mineral accented fade. A elegant sipping or mixing bourbon."

"A lovely, sophisticated bourbon bouquet comprising fruity, cornmeal aromas which are followed by a red fruit scent, all underpinned by an oaky vanilla quality. Entry is reserved, gently sweet and toffee-like; the midpalate features succulent tastes of light caramel, honeywheat bread, caramel corn and toasted almond. Concludes fruity and corny. The best value American whiskey in the marketplace." Best Buy. 85-89 pts.

"The base aroma is buttered corn-on-the-cob with aeration bringing additional scents of vanilla and cinnamon. The palate entry showcases sweet breakfast cereal grain; at midpalate the corn dominates so thoroughly that you know that this could only be one of the best straight bourbons from Kentucky. Ends spirity and heated. One of America’s benchmark spirits." 90-95 pts.

"The grain takes a backseat in the early sniffing stages as bittersweet bean- and kernel-like scents dominate; later whiffs merely confirm the intense bean/cocoa quality. Palate entry mirrors the bouquet to a tee; at midpalate, the kernel-like intensity turns smooth and viscous on the tongue. Ends bittersweet and oily." 85-89 pts.

"Aroma includes honey, sherry, dried fruit, spearmint and nougat, black tea, cocoa butter and tropical fruit. Palate offers bittersweet chocolate, brown sugar, honey-coated peanuts, melon, Sherry and nougat. A modern-day classic. Best Buy." 96-100 pts.

"The base aroma is buttered corn-on-the-cob with aeration bringing additional scents of vanilla and cinnamon. The palate entry showcases sweet breakfast cereal grain; at midpalate the corn dominates so thoroughly that you know that this could only be one of the best straight bourbons from Kentucky. Ends spirity and heated. One of America’s benchmark spirits." 90-95 pts.

"First aromas make me think peaches and blood oranges; later sniffings detect cotton candy and fabric. The gently fruity entry taste pleases the taste buds; at midpalate the peach component becomes more apparent as the orange element recedes. Finishes herbal, slightly honeyed, and more bittersweet than flat out sweet. Best Buy." 85-89 pts.