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Staff Favorites - Jackson Lee
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Reviews
New Riff Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 10-03-2019
Herbaceous, earthy, yet sweet on the nose, the bottled in bond bourbon gives off notes of sarsaparilla, fennel frond, fresh cut grass, demerara sugar and candy corn. At 100 proof, this is way too easy to sip. It slyly sneaks onto your palate with a supreme smoothness and welcoming sweet notes of dulce de leche, diet cola, and brown sugar. The finish adds a nice spice and a little heat to balance everything out while there’s still a note of rock candy. A solid bottled-in-bond bourbon for the price.
Price:
$39.99
The 86 Co. Ford's Gin (750ml)
Review Date: 07-27-2019
Juniper and citrus aromas jump out of the glass with an underlying malty sweetness. The palate mirrors the aromas almost to a T; juniper with lemon peel with a sweet background as a little bit of heat hits you on the way out. Perfect in G&T's or a Negroni!
Price:
$24.99
Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 05-07-2019
Franck Bonville constantly tops the staff picks charts and this blanc de blanc is no exception. The nose is clean, with a nice minerality and subtle floralness that opens up the palate with its balanced acidity with a peach blossom note. The finish is what takes the cake for me amongst other wines at this price point. Long and mouthwatering, this is a must for parties and celebrations.
Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 05-07-2019
You just can't get much better with over seven years on the lees with estate grown fruit and a 17th generation grower. With notes of toast with pear jam on the nose and a nicely balanced palate with orchard fruit and pineapple upside-down cake this is a great wine to share with friends. The finish is soft but lingers and keeps reminding you to tip that glass back. A truly great value for under $35.
Price:
$37.99
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 05-07-2019
There's a reason there's so many staff reviews backing up this wine. This review is another rock in the quarry but I thought I'd throw my two cents in and be in good company. Easy drinking, crowd pleasing with white peach skins on the nose with a light note of bisquit. The palate mirrors the nose but with a great tart acidity and sweet tangerine peel. Do yourself a favor and go for the magnum on this one (Shhh, don't tell anyone).
Four Roses "Small Batch Select" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 05-02-2019
I typically adhere by the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." It seems Four Roses disagrees. With three solid core offerings, they decided to double down on the small batch, offering this great, mid-tiered whiskey at a higher proof (you won't hear me complaining). On the nose I get sweet notes of candy corn and golden raisins with a slight hint of ripe green plum. The palate is definitely kicked up a notch from the regular small batch (which incidentally was my gateway bourbon). Sweet apple notes, with a bit of saigon cinnamon spice make their way forward and leave my tongue tingling with a bit of oak and a small hint of vanilla and finishing with sweet white peaches. The regular small batch got me into bourbon and Four Roses whiskey, and this new Select offering brought me back.
Singani "63" Bolivian Muscat Brandy (750ml)
Review Date: 05-02-2019
Super aromatic and just plain pretty. This muscat based Bolvian brandy gives off aromas of tropical fruits, sweet green apples, and night blooming jasmine. The palate is soft and sweet and reminds me of a tropical fruit punch jolly rancher but with a dry finish. A fun, summery spirit that would work great in a number of cocktails (think cucumbers, limes, basil, and punches) or would be great in a spritz or just on the rocks.
Price:
$29.99
Mezonte "Raicilla Japo" Jalisco Spirit Distilled From Agave Uncertified Jalisco Raicilla/Mezcal (750ml)
Review Date: 03-23-2019
Produced by Hildegardo Joya, this Raicilla expresses the techniques and traditions accumulated over the lifetime of this master distiller. At 75 years old, Heldegardo still walks his agave fields, his trusted machete in hand, looking over the plants as if they were his children. That care is reflected in the distillate he produces from the Amarillo agave. On the nose I get Camembert cheese, or a lightly smoked Gouda, gravel, honey baked pineapple ham and sweet mint. The texture really got me on this one; like drinking a mouthful of fresh river water, this pour is smooth while giving off flavors of sweet cooked agave and blue cotton candy. On the finish, the cooked agave still shines while a little peppery spice leaves your mouth with a pleasant tingling sensation. Sadly, there’s no steward to take Hildegardo’s place when he decides to retire so be sure to get this offering while it’s still being made!
Price:
$154.99
Uncle Nearest "1856" Tennessee Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 03-22-2019
Another whiskey with a neat little story behind it. Coming from a polytechnic schooling, I’d typically ask for sources but the juice seems to speak for itself. The nose is sweet and rich with notes of vanilla, orange peel, stewed figs and a bit of sweetgrass. The palate is soft with a light sweetness that hits the tip of your tongue. Then the sarsaparilla and oak notes start coming through and the finish is drawn out with a bit of sweet mint at the end. At 100 proof, it drinks beautifully and is something I wouldn’t mind having on my bar cart at this price point.
Charanda Uruapan Blanco Single Blended Rum (1L)
Review Date: 02-28-2019
Full disclosure: I had heard/knew about this product prior to it being imported to the U.S. and it had a lot of hype behind it. People whom I respected and trusted the palates of vouched for it and sang its praises. Prior to cracking the bottle and trying it, the contrarian in me wanted to find something to criticize. Alas, my counterparts were correct in touting this to be one of the most unique and interesting spirits in its category (maybe even outside of it). First off, you can’t beat the price; this is one, 1-litre bottle you’ll want to keep stocked in your home bar. Sipped neat on its own, on the rocks, or wow guests and yourself by mixing it into a refreshing rum cocktail, this Charanda spirit is sure to enlighten. I was so blown away by the aroma that I had to pass my glass around the office, almost frantic, trying to get others to share in the experience of deciphering the smells wafting from the chalice. Notes of pickle brine and light dill danced harmoniously with sweet notes of star fruit, green plantain, and musk melon. The palate was harder to nail down as the chameleon-like flavors seemed to constantly change and then change back. Light fruity notes came to the forefront and the image of a prickly pear popped into my brain as I sampled the spirit. There was also something there that reminded me of Ramune (Japanese marble soda) that I used to covet as a kid. The finish was pleasantly smooth and had a nice, dry, Meyer lemon peel taste to it. Just as it was to me, I would highly recommend this to any rum and/or spirits fan.
Price:
$24.99
Red Spot 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Review Date: 02-28-2019
Why was this gone for 50+ years?? Whatever the reason, I’m glad we got it back. The nose was so alluring it captured the attention of passerby’s and many members of the staff ended up sampling this new addition to the Spot line up. Marzipan, Mexican hot chocolate, strawberries and cream, apple flesh and sweet oak all seemed to intermingle together putting the nose to the glass. Even after the vessel was devoid of liquid I found that I couldn’t stop putting my nostrils to the rim and inhaling like it was the first scent I ever smelled. On the palate the apple note translated well on the taste buds followed by semisweet chocolate and sweet oak with hints of candied anise seed and cream soda. The fruity, strawberry note made a reappearance on the finish with other fruity tones and something that faintly reminded me of Apple Jacks cereal. Definitely a great offering to add to the line up.