1 | Spirits | 750 ml | Page 5

"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.

Using only the best winter wheat from Moldovia’s rolling hills adjacent to the Black Sea, Firestarter Vodka comes west bringing tradition and world class smoothness born from a brilliant 19th century recipe.

"Rich, amber color. Malty, caramel aromas have a sour cream pastry edge. A round, rich entry leads to an off-dry medium-to full-bodied palate with sweet toffee, brown spices, leather, and robust exotic peppercorns. Finishes with a long sherried fade of caramel, pepper, and salty roasted nuts."

"Clear. Polished aromas of fresh citrus, herbal juniper, flower petal and cucumber follow through on bright, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with violet, lavender, and pink peppercorn notes resonating brightly. Finishes with a delicate sweet citrus custard pastry, spice, potpourri, and mineral fade all in fine balance. A delightfully fruity, floral nouveau gin for artisan cocktails."

"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."

"The first sniffings unearth a soft, slightly sour and vegetal aroma; more time adds minor scents of ash and unsmoked cigarette. The bittersweet palate entry taste flashes on cocoa bean and sap; at midpalate toasty, sooty flavors of tobacco leaf, wood smoke, wood resin and vanilla are found. Ends up semisweet, succulent and roughly spirity." 85-89 pts.

"The nosing passes find soft sugary/molasses smells and aromas of marshmallow, almond paste and light toffee. The palate entry is slightly smoky and properly sweet; tastes of honey and vanilla extract are found at midpalate. The finish is smooth, soft and very drinkable. A well-made molasses-based rum." 85-89 pts.

"Vibrant aromas of elderflower and lychee follow through on a soft, supple entry to a fruity, moderately sweet medium-to-full body with tangy tropical fruit sweetness and great depth. Finishes with a long, graceful, herb accented fade. An instant classic and pure magic for cocktails."