1 | Spirits | $20 to $50 | Page 4

Tasting age: 10 years. Amber-golden color. Subtle vanilla bouquet with floral overtones and hints of prunes and apricots. Superbly balanced on the palate.

Away from Hollywood Dan Aykroyd has had a fascination with ghosts, spirits and extraterrestrial life. His pursuit of the supernatural inspired his creation of this super premium vodka called Crystal Head, made with water from a deep aquifer in Newfoundland and presented in a sculpted rendering of a human skull. This gift set includes 2 matching human skull shot glasses.

"Infused with the sweetness of fresh oranges, Grey Goose Vodka L'Orange captures the essence of orange. Grey Goose Vodka L'Orange has a subtle nose and delicate taste of orange."

"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.

"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.

"Clear. Rich spicy aromas of citrus peel, juniper, and vanilla. A round plush entry leads to a dryish medium-to full-bodied palate with sweet citrus, exotic spices, and robust juniper. Finishes with a long balanced fade of spice and citrus. A classic gin that is tasting better than ever."

"Citron’s bouquet sings with fresh, vibrant, lemon zest right from the opening bell; the prototypical citrus-flavored vodka bouquet. Palate entry is so clean and effortless that you just want to consume more immediately; at midpalate, there’s a rush of lemon zest and oil. The distillers reached the ideal degree of flavor balance, without submerging the vodka presence." 90-95 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.

"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.