5 | Spirits | Italy Misc, $20 to $50

"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.

"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."

"Brilliant, bright amber hue. Spirity almond and spice aromas. A lush entrance leads to a moderately full-bodied palate with moderate sweetness. Explodes in flavor on the mid palate. Precise, persistent finish."

"Brilliant, bright amber hue. Spirity almond and spice aromas. A lush entrance leads to a moderately full-bodied palate with moderate sweetness. Explodes in flavor on the mid palate. Precise, persistent finish."

"Based on fine, cask-aged brandy, with an exhilarating blend of vanilla and orange, Tuaca has an intriguingly fruity flavour and a heavenly amber glow. It is smooth, irresistible and uniquely different."

"The bouquet is lovely, balanced, properly astringent, ripe and juicy with scents of cherry stone and cherry juice. The palate entry is decadently sweet and textured with vibrant tastes of cherry compote and cherry preserves at midpalate. The finish is svelte, moderately syrupy and downright delicious. An outstanding liqueur." 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."

"Initial whiffs detect a strong musty-mushroomy aroma which after aeration turns remarkably rubbery. Significantly more attractive in the mouth than in the nose, the palate entry is grapy, intense and semisweet; at midpalate the taste profile turns seed-like, bittersweet and very dried fruit-like. Concludes off-dry, bitter and musty." 85-89 pts.