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Staff Favorites - Jackson Lee
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Reviews
2014 Rhys "Bearwallow Vineyard" Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Review Date: 12-03-2019
I tried this wine both upon opening and after letting it sit for a day (corked, in the bottle) and enjoyed it all the way through. The first glass was bramble-y and herbaceous sitting on top of dark fruits, big and complex with a full body. After some oxygen interaction, sweeter notes started to come out that reminded me of mulberry pie with blueberry ice cream and candied parsley on the side. The finish had more of that sweet herbal component with a slight bit of anise that was reminiscent of a Ricola cough drop. This is one of the better bottles of Pinot's I've had and even purchased a couple myself to put in the cellar and experience their potential down the line.
New Riff "Single Barrel" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 10-04-2019
The longer this dram sat in the glass, the more it opened up and evolved. Starting with notes of cream soda, cherrywood, and black plum skins, sweeter notes of molasses, sassafras, and light brown sugar played with anise seed and condensed milk the more I let it sit. This bourbon shines on the palate. It’s easy drinking for the proof (112.4) but still lets you know it’s there with notes of purple candy, dark chocolate covered golden raisins, sweet herbs and light cinnamon building towards the end. This is definitely a bourbon worth buying and keeping at your bar at home.
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
Michel Couvreur "Peaty Overaged" K&L Exclusive Malt Whisky (750ml)
Review Date: 10-02-2019
Nosing this in the glass was addicting and I had to stop myself before becoming in danger of singeing nerve endings. A sweet hickory smoke softly emanated from the glass with a bit of brine behind it. Working my way past the sumptuous smoke, I got notes of apple skins and barbecued yellow nectarines. The palate was round and soft; I felt no need to add water to this one. Black pepper and honey smoked ham, combined with charred canned pineapple, almost made me feel like I was at a luau. The finish was pleasant, not too long, but had a waxy, spicy play going on, and once everything felt like it was over, a bit of leftover charred pineapple showed up to do one last curtsy.
Price:
Hidden
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
Alexandre Le Brun "Tradition" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 05-07-2019
Once upon a time this was one of my personal staff picks and I loved drinking it as much as I loved recommending it. There's so many great things to say about this producer and his wines aside from the fact that his average vine age is over 40 years old and he keeps his favorite fruit to produce under his own name. With equal parts Chardonnay, Munier, and Pinot Noir, I got notes of sweet meyer lemon peel and honeyed bisquits on the nose. The palate tasted of freshly harvested peach blossom honey, a very slight airy bisquit and more white flowers. Three years on the lees did this wine well and added to the flavors on the finish.
Price:
$34.99
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:
$34.99
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
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.
Uruapan Charanda 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:
$27.99
Red Spot 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml)
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.