365 | Spirits | Page 3

"Clear. Spicy aromas of star anise, cream, minerals and powdered sugar follow through to a round, silky entry and a smooth off-dry medium-to-full body with a long, lingering whipped cream, spice, rye dough, and sweet citrus fade with virtually no heat. Great subtle, pure, and spicy rye flavors with a lively texture and superb smoothness. An incredible value in a world of high priced vodkas."

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.

"Off-dry malted barley and light toffee smells greet the olfactory sense along with flowery fragrances of heather, rose petal and pine. Entry features sweet grain and candied apricot tastes; the midpalate is mellow, malty, fruity (white raisins, apricots) and sophisticated. Ends on a buttery note. Remains the Speyside benchmark." 90-95 pts.

"Golden color. Buttery oak and caramel aromas. Round and soft entry. Dry light to-medium body with lean oak, taffy, and spice notes. Finishes with a dried fruit and oaky spice fade with a nice touch of heat."

"Vanilla taffy, dried pineapple-like agave, nutmeg, and mildly earthy aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a dryish light-to medium bodied palate of roasted citrus, dried flowers, dusty mineral, salt, and a touch of cream. Finishes with a white pepper and plum custard-like fade."

"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."

"Clear as rainwater. The bouquet doesn’t reach up and grab you as much as it seduces you with gentle waves of mild spirit and grainy richness. The palate entry offers mild spiciness and cereal sweetness. Finishes marvelously long, doughy, round, subtly citrusy and moderately sweet. Classy, complex and multilayered." 90-95 pts.

"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."

"Dark amber-brown. Sweet medicinal, spice aromas. Notably sweet and thick on the palate with complex herbs and cinnamon lingering. Quite clean through the finish for all the complex flavors present."

"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.