5 | Spirits | Other Vodka | Page 2

"Clear. Delicate aromas of toasted nuts, white chocolate fudge, and dried fruits. A round, satiny entry leads to a very smooth, oily medium-to-full body of sweet creamy cocoa, pasty dough and minerals. Finishes with a long, creme Anglaise, pepper, and spice fade. Very nice, will make a great martini."

"Initial nosing passes reveal a zesty and mildly spicy aroma that’s focused on the cereal grain; the bouquet registers on the leaner, drier side of neutral grain spirits and as such is in direct opposition to other creamier, sweeter Dutch vodkas. Palate entry is moderately sweet, almost smoky; at midpalate, a flash of black licorice tempts the taste buds, then recedes, allowing the sweet, nearly smoky/pipe tobacco leaf taste to dominate." 90-95 pts.

"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.

"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."

Away from Hollywood Dan Aykroyd has had a fascination with ghosts, spirits and extraterrestrial life. His pursuit of the supernatural inspired his creation of this super premium vodka called Crystal Head, made with water from a deep aquifer in Newfoundland and presented in a sculpted rendering of a human skull. This gift set includes 2 matching human skull shot glasses.

"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.

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.

"Clear. Mild aromas of shredded wheat, frosting aromas follow through on a supple entry to a dry, oily medium body with sweet cream, vanilla, and mineral notes on the lightly peppery fade. Very nice and smooth."