Each year, our buyers taste thousands of products. Some are brand new, some are returning items. Some good, some bad, some absolutely fantastic. What's important is that only the best of the best makes it to the shelf. We asked our buying team to each pick a favorite item within their buying category. Here is what they chose for 2018.

#10 - Johnnie Walker White Walker

750mL

"Winter is here and this is the perfect Scotch to help us warm up. The whisky has a wonderful balance of citrus fruit, white pepper and vanilla that shows the core of Clynelish and Cardhu malts. Easy drinking blended Scotch at a great price in a seriously cool package." - Billie C. Spirits Buyer

#9 - Belle De Provence Rose 2017

750mL

"This is a classic Provence Rose made with Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah. It has the classic pale pink color and the tangy fresh fruit and citrus peel flavors that provide a perfect wine as an aperitif or light plate accompaniment. At this price you wont find a better value from Provence." - Mike B. Wine Buyer

#8 - Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve

750mL

"This has been my go to for the last few years now. It's a third each of Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; each varietal adding to the conversation but none of them taking it over. The result is a wine with great texture and terrific balance - not too fruity and not too sharp and extremely versatile. There is enough generosity to appeal to the novice and enough depth to appeal to the more experienced. Those two qualities are usually only found together in Champagnes that cost two to three times as much. If you don't enjoy this you don't enjoy Champagne." - Bob C. Wine Buyer

#7 - Collective Arts Life in the Clouds

4 Pack of 16oz Cans

"This is on par with the premier examples of the NE IPA style, yet costs significantly less than almost all of them at $9.99/4pk 16oz can. Life in the clouds strikes a balance of not being overly bitter or sweet, resulting in a drinkable, tropical, hazy, and juicy beer drinking experience." - Kyle F. Beer Buyer

#6 - Plasencia Alma Fuerte Nestor IV

6.25x54

"The Plasencia family is one of the oldest tobacco producing families in the world, and mostly unknown to consumers until 2016. Their first cigar to hit the market was the Plasencia Alma Fuerte translated meaning "Strong Soul" and it is a medium to full bodied flavor explosion. From notes of pepper, espresso and milk chocolate to earthy deep notes of cedar and fruit The Alma Fuerte is a truly special cigar." - Jack S. Cigar Buyer

#5 - Graham's 2016 Vintage Port

750mL

"The 2016 Ports are so amazing we could have easily picked Taylor, Dow or Warre for this list, but our favorite is the Graham's. This port is extremely concentrated with aromas of mint and chocolate and layers of ripe black fruit flavors. It has great structure and balance and a long finish. Although this is wonderful to taste now, it will continue to improve over the next 25-50 years. This is also available in limited supply in half bottles and magnums. Great port vintages only come along a couple times a decade, don't miss out on the 2016's!" - Bill N. Wine Buyer

#4 - Firestone Walker Paw² Prints

12.7 oz

"To celebrate our 70th Anniversary, we headed to Firestone Walker's Barrelworks facility, home to their award winning wild and sour ales. Our goal - to blend California terroir with a tropical treasure of the Midwest, the paw paw fruit. We're proud to announce the arrival of this collaborative project, Paw² Prints. This blend of young and old barrel aged wild ale bursts with tropical aromas and flavors. A refreshingly complex ale - that showcases the rarely recognized, yet perplexingly delicious paw paw." - Douglas F. Beer Buyer

#3 - Plantation Xaymaca Blend

750mL

"A blend of 100% pot distilled Jamaican rums made at the Clarendon and Long Pond distilleries. Lush, overripe fruit flavors with a heavy and chewy texture. Exactly what we're looking for in properly aged pot still rum and an incredible value." - Jeff M. Spirits Buyer

#2 - Chateau Lynch Bages 2015

750mL

"My wine of the year is a great wine from a great Bordeaux vintage. Rich and opulent, Lynch Bages shows off both the ripeness and finesse found in the finest '15s. Open a bottle in fifteen years and you'll understand why people still buy and cellar classic Bordeaux." - Barb H. Wine Buyer

#1 - Compass Box Gold Standard Blended Malt - 70th Anniversary

750mL

Besides the label that helps tell the story of where we came from, the whisky proved the total is better than the sum of its parts. Disparate pieces work together to form a complex, lilting balance between tropical fruit and malt sweetness with a spicy, black pepper backbone with wisps of smoke. I can identify each of the components but am blown away by how well they work together." - Brett P. Specialty Spirits Buyer