BACARDÍ Ron Superior Carta Blanca Puerto Rico $12.99 Gold 92 points Surprisingly not sweet, it carries some pepper notes and a viscous quality. It holds itself in the mouth cleanly. - Michael Cervin Reserva Ocho Rare Gold Rum Puerto Rico $25.99 Gold 92 points Spot on aged rum, with bright spice and rich vanilla character without cloying viscosity. Sip or cocktail! - Rich Cook Cemi Ron Dominicano Reserva Especial Rum Dominican Republic $50.00 Gold 90 points Lovely caramel and pepper notes, light sweetness and a strong midpalate. - Michael Cervin Courvoisier XO Cognac France $200.00 Platinum 96 points For fans of lively wood spice that rides a silky spirit base, with pure toffee and baked apple that finish long and warming. It's winter somewhere… - Rich Cook A solid iteration of Cognac. light caramel aromas lead into real depth of resin, spices, amber and light wildflowers. A seamless blending of fruit, wood and spice holds its own throughout the palate. The finish is strong and lengthy. - Michael Cervin VSOP Cognac France $42.00 Gold 91 points Classic Cognac, wood, fruit, spice and blending together to present a solid iteration. - Michael Cervin Beautiful midpalate layers, with fruit, spice and oak toast in fine harmony. - Rich Cook VS Cognac France $30.00 Gold 90 points Textbook VS, this is the bartender's friend. Clean, bright and long, but with room for company. - Rich Cook Griffo Distillery Scott Street Gin Batch No. 35 USA $32.00 Gold 93 points Bursting with juniper and classically styled, with just a tinge of California jazz in the botanical mix - a nicely realized profile. - Rich Cook Vodka Batch No. 37 USA $24.00 Gold 90 points Not a neutral vodka, opting for clean mineral flavors and a hint of sweetness. Nicely balanced! - Rich Cook Espresso Martini Premium Cocktail USA $24.00 Gold 90 points Simple but effective. The coffee notes are obvious and the viscosity works. A light sweetness pervades the cocktail, but in the end, this does exactly what it should do, which is taste great. - Michael Cervin Punt e Mes Apertivo Originale Vermouth Italy $26.99 Gold 92 points Nice richness here - follow the advice to serve over ice - it's like a concentrate that benefits from dilution in a big way. - Rich Cook Ron Santa Teresa 1796 Triple Aged Solar Rum Venezuela $40.00 Platinum 95 points Bravo! This pops with flavor from the start, with tempered viscosity and a long blooming finish. A sipper extraordinaire! - Rich Cook Weldon Mills Distillery Weldon Mills Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Barrel Proof, Batch No: 3 USA $64.95 Platinum 94 points A beautifully managed high proof, with a slow burn and subtle flavor mix in the finish. Sip neat if you dare, or go with a big cube and linger long. - Rich Cook Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey Small Batch Barrel Proof, Batch 2 USA $124.95 Gold 93 points Wheated whiskey that actually delivers wheat character, with fine tuned accents and a pleasant warming finish that lasts. - Rich Cook Weldon Mills Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Batch. No: 2 USA $54.95 Gold 92 points This is assertive, but in a balanced way that brings a nicely spiced finish push to bear. Sip with a small ice cube, or cocktail it up. - Rich Cook An expressive bourbon that favors bold flavors over typical sweetness. The wood and spice notes elevate this beyond standard bourbon, and the longer finish gives it an edge in the category. - Michael Cervin Soldier's Cut Straight Bourbon Whiskey USA $44.95 Gold 91 points Great wood flavors, supported by amber and resin notes. Light caramel and butterscotch, while still being a little subdued. - Michael Cervin |
