4 | Spirits | Liqueur | Page 5

"Cherry-red color. Nose is snappy and expectedly bitter in a woodsy, earthy, quinine-like way. Palate entry is mild in a sweet-sour fruity manner; midpalate is sweet and only moderately bitter. Finishes long and mildly quinine-like. While I’m not a bitters aficionado (more a bitter aficionado, really), Campari and orange do positively click. I’m savvy enough to know when not to argue with 58 million Italians." 80-84 pts.

"Multilayered aromas of mildly bitter almond meat and spice. Palate entry is delicate and lightly sweet, showcasing the almond. Aftertaste is long, creamy and sublime." 90-95 pts.

"Sophisticated and delightful aromas of tangerine and rhubarb. The palate entry is delightfully citrusy and sweet; the midpalate phase offers just enough herbal bitterness to balance. Ends up refreshing, orangey sweet and delectably herbal. This deserves to become a popular pre-dinner quaff." 90-95 pts.

"Deep yellow-straw hue. Pungent, hedonistic hazelnut and vanilla aromas. A lush attack leads to a medium-bodied and flavorful palate with mild sweetness. Very well balanced. Flavorful, lengthy finish. Exotic, pure and intense."

"Delicate, lightly honeyed and not overlysweet scents with a buttery/creamy quality. Palate entry is gooey, concentrated, chewy and numbingly sweet; the midpalate phase heightens the impressions of the entry. Aftertaste is scoop-out-with-spoon thick and tonsil-screamingly sweet." 85-89 pts.

"Deep aromas of peppermint leaf, chicory, unsweetened chocolate, forest flowers and herb jump from the glass and follow thorough on a supple entry to a dryish full body with layers of cocoa-mint, peppery spice, sandalwood, and bitter roots and medicinal herbs. Finishes with a long, polished wood, peppermint oil, nutshell and bitter root fade. A powerful digestif."

"Deep ruby color. Bright maraschino cherry and almond paste aromas. A silky entry leads to a lightly sweet medium body of crushed maraschino cherries flavors. Finishes with a sweet, very slightly tangy fade. A pleasant and clean cherry cordial."

"The aroma is a sweet/sour, tangerine/Mandarin orange perfume that never stops enchanting. At the palate entry the orange zest’s acidity mingles gracefully with the Cognac’s alcohol, making for delicious drinking. Satiny finish." 90-95 pts.

"Chocolate-covered crushed hazelnuts and almonds aromas with a deft touch of mint and coconut. A rich, satiny entry leads to a plush, moderately sweet medium-full body of toasted coconut, delicate marzipan, mint leaf, and creamy nougat flavors. Finishes effortlessly with roasted walnuts and a breath of whisky. Remarkable texture and smoothness. A classic cream liqueur."