2 | Spirits | Page 4

"This amber blend of 15 whiskies, each aged at least 18 years, yields a mellow, balanced mix of sweet caramel, raisin and smoky notes, all lingering and pleasing. Serve chilled, possibly as a dessert pairing."

"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."

"Bright golden amber color. Aromas of baked bananas, praline, and polished wood follow through on a soft entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with pepper, metal ore, and lacquer notes. Finishes with a lightly spiky pepper and earth fade." Bronze Medal.

"The initial aroma is sweetish, winey and oaky; aeration allows the aroma to expand to include marzipan, treacle, molasses, honey, vanilla bean, cinnamon and cocoa butter. The palate entry is sweet, creamy and assertive; at midpalate the flavor becomes intensely nutty, buttery and bacon fat-like, with the beginnings of rancio. Remains one of Speyside’s standard-bearer 12 year olds." 90-95 pts.

"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.

"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.

"Pure amber color. Buttered toast and grain, buckwheat honey, and mossy stone aromas. A silky entry leads to a dryish medium body of honey buttered wheat toast, roasted nuts, dried banana, and peppery spice. Finishes with a lingering toffee, wet stone, and spice fade. A rock solid blend."

"Belvedere, the world's first luxury vodka, is authentic and natural, handcrafted the way Polish vodka has been made for over 600 years. We use Dankowskie Gold Rye along with pure artesian water from our own wells, distilling four times for a perfect balance of purity and character. The unique result is unadulterated. We think you'll love it but we know you have to try it to believe it."

"Clear. Neutral wet stone and cream aromas. A buoyant entry leads to a round, dryish medium-to-full body of smooth cream, wheat dough, and delicate spice flavors. Finishes with a warming, peppery and sweet cream fade. A nice Russian vodka with a smooth classy edge."

"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."