5 | Spirits | Page 5

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Tropical fruit, citrusy and mango-like aromas. Light, acidic and very tart at palate entry; the midpalate is refreshing, intensely juicy and almost sour. Aftertaste leans heavily on the tartness." 85-89 pts.

"The dominant aromatic feature is caramel. The palate entry features the cream/dairy element as much as caramel and nuts; the midpalate highlights the cream, the caramel flavoring, the spirit and the gentle spice. Concludes smooth, satiny and properly creamy with greater emphasis on the spice than the caramel." 90-95 pts.

"A sophisticated orange pulp bouquet which after aeration turns much more dry peel-like. The palate entry is intensely orange peel-like yet more sweet than bittersweet; the midpalate stage is deeply orangey, sweet and sublimely juicy. Finishes ideally citrusy/tart/astringent, then turns lithe and sweet. The benchmark for all orange flavored liqueurs/triple secs. State of the art." 96-100 pts.

"Smells of sweet corn, buttered popcorn and pistachio nuts in the early stages; later whiffs pick up well-endowed scents of sautéed butter, oaky vanilla, beeswax and linseed oil. Palate entry is full-bodied, sweet and honeyed; at midpalate the taste profile turns drier, more intensely grainy-mashy and breakfast cereal-like. Finishes with notes of nougat, almonds, candy bar, and oak. Best Buy." 90-95 pts.

"Creamy custard, caramelized roasted pecans, and sweet brown spice aromas. A round, satiny entry leads to a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to full body of dried pineapple, flan, charred nuts, white pepper and spice flavors. Finishes with a powdered sugar, whipped cream, and talc fade. A delicate and sweet style for sipping on the rocks or cocktails."

"Moderately full bodied. Reminiscent of toffee, leather, honey, lemon cream. Rich texture. Brawny, bold entry. Loaded with light sweet and tart flavors. Excellent integration of diverse components. Picks up lots of wood tones near the buttery finish."

"Clear. Rich spicy aromas of citrus peel, juniper, and vanilla. A round plush entry leads to a dryish medium-to full-bodied palate with sweet citrus, exotic spices, and robust juniper. Finishes with a long balanced fade of spice and citrus. A classic gin that is tasting better than ever."