Double Gold Winners
Tiger Gin
Tiger Gin
Region: Shropshire, UK
Category: Gin | 301. London Dry, Classic
Alcohol Content: 40%
Retail Price: $35.00
Production Volume: 50,001 – 100,000
Tasting Notes:
“Rose, coriander, and bergamot on the nose. Full and rich taste – coats the mouth broadly. Lovely and long finish with menthol/mint trailing off. Overall a well-balanced and technically well-made gin. Full and beautiful.”
“Classic nose, on the citrusy/coriander side. Lively, balanced, not too punchy — Great gin!
“This classically-styled and classy gin takes me on a trip to London with a martini. Love!”
Little Book Chapter 3: “The Road Home”
Beam Suntory (Jim Beam)
Region: Kentucky
Category: Whisk(e)y | 109. American, Blended, NAS
Alcohol Content: 61.3%
Retail Price: $124.99
Production Volume: N/A
Tasting Notes:
“Punchy in a great way, and so drinkable for its proof. Yum!”
“Copper-orange tints – nice. Lots of char on the nose, with a touch of licorice. Chocolate wafer taste, with deep notes — more bass than treble, and a cedar-like finish.”
“Nice toasted wood flairs with a hint of cherry on the nose. A sharp sweet palate with a long, spicy finish.”
“The nose is rich and spicy with hints of cinnamon. On the palate, it’s full of baking spices and rye with layers of caramel. The texture is quite lovely. 95 points.”
Roaming Man Edition 8
Sugarlands Distilling Company
Region: Tennessee
Category: Whisk(e)y | 120. Rye, Straight, NAS
Alcohol Content: 61%
Retail Price: $50.00
Production Volume: < 5,000
Tasting Notes:
“Bold and malty rye notes on the nose. On the palate, fudgy, chocolatey notes of malted rye and sweet cocoa powder…”
“Layers and layers of flavor, beautiful structure. 95 points.”
“Beautiful amber color. Doesn’t have an alcoholic nose to it — really surprising for a 61%.”
The Balvenie Stories 12 Year Old
William Grant & Sons
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Category: Whisk(e)y | 153. Scotch, Single Malt, Age Stated to 12 Years – Region: Speyside
Alcohol Content: 43%
Retail Price: $59.99
Production Volume: 5,001 – 50,000
Tasting Notes:
“My kind of scotch! Loved the nuanced touch of all the parts; orange peel, nutmeg, toasty. Mouthfeel is creamy and finishes long. A real beauty. 95 points.”
“A honey forward bright and round sweet nose. On the palate, this is dry and oily with a gorgeous texture and long, winding finish that goes from citrusy and lemony back to spicy and oaky with great precision. 95 points.”
El Encanto Silver Rum
The Florida CANE Distillery
Region: Florida
Category: Rum | 500. White, Unaged
Alcohol Content: 40%
Retail Price: $25.00
Production Volume: <5,000
Tasting Notes:
“A funky rum with a pungent nose and a flavor profile that is equally lip-smacking in citrus, tanginess, and just a hint of dryness. This is quite lovely. 95 points”
“Very nice pot stilled rum – great funk and zing!”
“Great white unaged rum. A juicy nose. A good mouthfeel on the palate with hints of lime and almond. A quick-dry finish with lingering viscosity and a touch of spice. 93 points.”
Roaming Man Edition 8
Sugarlands Distilling Company
Region: Tennessee
Category: Whisk(e)y | 118. Tennessee
Alcohol Content: 61%
Retail Price: $50.00
Production Volume: <5,000
Tasting Notes:
“A nutty, structured rye nose, with a palate that starts like praline but quickly becomes sugar smacks cereal: burnt sugar and an earthy sweetness. The finish is modest and slightly citrusy but sustains that nuttiness throughout. 95 points.”
“Spicy rye on the nose with a light spicy palate and a medium mentholated finish.”
“Balanced, great color, perfect smell, and taste make this the best product on the list. 100 points.”
Tiger Gin
Tiger Gin
Region: Shropshire, UK
Category: Gin | 301. London Dry, Classic
Alcohol Content: 40%
Retail Price: $35.00
Production Volume: 50,001 – 100,000
Tasting Notes:
“Rose, coriander, and bergamot on the nose. Full and rich taste – coats the mouth broadly. Lovely and long finish with menthol/mint trailing off. Overall a well-balanced and technically well-made gin. Full and beautiful.”
“Classic nose, on the citrusy/coriander side. Lively, balanced, not too punchy — Great gin!”
“This classically-styled and classy gin takes me on a trip to London with a martini. Love! 94 points.”
Cathouse Pink Pepper
All Points West Distillery
Region: New Jersey
Category: Gin | 304. Contemporary (Signature Botanical)
Alcohol Content: 46%
Retail Price: $34.00
Production Volume: < 5000
Tasting Notes:
“Lovely little hint of rose color. Cinnamon, rosemary and a hint of juniper on the nose. On the palate, deep floral notes grow dry and herbal with a long, pleasant finish. 90 points.”
“Eucalyptus and lavender on the nose. Black pepper and cardamom on a medium palate with a refreshing minty finish. A lovely gin.”
“Coriander-juniper and spice on the nose. I can’t quite identify the signature botanical but there’s an appealing earthy, aromatic, lively quality to it. I’m an instant fan. 94 points.”
King’s Family Distillery Wheated Bourbon
King's Family Distillery
Region: Tennessee
Category: Whisk(e)y | 100. Bourbon, Straight, NAS
Alcohol Content: 50%
Retail Price: $49.99
Production Volume: < 5,000
Tasting Notes:
“Vanilla bean fudge on the nose. On the palate, warm caramel and subtle spices move deliciously forward and crème Brule and orange zest finale. Lovely. 95 points”
“A nuanced wood and kola nose. A light cool palate with good wood and touches of corn and toast. A cool kola nose with subtle baking spices. 96 points”
Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Beam Suntory (Jim Beam)
Region: Kentucky
Category: Whisk(e)y | 100. Bourbon, Straight, NAS
Alcohol Content: 50%
Retail Price: $39.99
Production Volume: N/A
Tasting Notes:
“Lovely yellow-gold color. Honey-vegetal aroma, quite pleasing. Broad and warming on the mid-palate with a rich array of complex notes – really lovely. The finish is also extraordinary — long and complex. A striking bourbon with a good balance between flavors from fermentation, distillation, and aging. 95 points”
“Nice toast on the nose with a hint of caramel. Vanilla and coconut on the palate with a round cool finish.”
“A nose leaning heavily toward vanilla cake icing and baking spices. The whiskey is light and slightly effervescent on the palate, showing a range of flavors all bound by oaky spice throughout. The finish is medium-length and pleasantly fruity.”
Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond
Heaven Hill Distillery
Region: Kentucky
Category: Whisk(e)y | 100. Bourbon, Straight, NAS
Alcohol Content: 50%
Retail Price: $17.99
Production Volume: 100,001 – 500,000
Tasting Notes:
“This one has all kinds of warm wood, whiskey-aging-warehouse lovely aroma on the nose.”
“A well-balanced bourbon with depth, complexity, and a lovely mouthfeel. Spice and earthy notes mix with a pleasant sweetness and lovely hints of orange zesty esters.”
“Slight spice on the nose with touches of caramel and orange peel. A smooth round and cool palate with a chocolate, herbaceous, and spicy finish.”
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Region: Tennessee
Category: Whisk(e)y | 118. Tennessee
Alcohol Content: 50%
Retail Price: $59.95
Production Volume: 5,001 – 50,000
Tasting Notes:
“Really tasty and a great example of how lovely rye spice can be. Loving this long, lingering finish. I want this in a 50/50 Manhattan.”
“A spicy nose with toasty hints of grain. On the palate, initial fudgy layers of vanilla and nutmeg crescendo with a bold, chewy sweetness before a slow, caramel fade out. Lovely and delicate.”
“Great pepper/sweet balance, rich, and rewarding.”
Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky
William Grant & Sons Holdings Ltd
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Category: Whisk(e)y | 144. Scotch, Blended, NAS
Alcohol Content: 43%
Retail Price: $32.99
Production Volume: < 5000
Tasting Notes:
“Tasty! Would happily sip this neat.”
“Beautifully balanced blend that I’d like to settle in with over a couple of cubes or in a Penicillin cocktail. A most welcome sip that stands out. 93 points.”
“A rich fruit nose with hints of oak on the periphery. On the palate, this is a gorgeously dry whisky showing juicy sweetness and a lovely, spice-forward finish.”
King’s Family Distillery Rye Whiskey
King's Family Distillery
Region: Tennessee
Category: Whisk(e)y | 120. Rye, Straight, NAS
Alcohol Content: 45%
Retail Price: $39.99
Production Volume: < 5000
Tasting Notes:
“A fruity, zippy, and slightly punchy rye with enough spice and power to shine in a cocktail.”
“A nutty spicy nose tart with hints of cinnamon on the palate. Surprisingly sweet and round, with fudgy sweet layers of vanilla and caramel.”
“A great, young rye with a beautiful color.”
Navy Strength Gin
Chemist Spirits
Region: North Carolina
Category: Gin | 303. Navy Strength
Alcohol Content: 57%
Retail Price: $39.95
Production Volume: < 5000
Tasting Notes:
“Wow. Remarkably smooth for such a bold gin. Fleshy and full, I recommend taking a seat when sipping this. 96 points.”
“Here we have a fine example of navy strength gin.”
“Bright, citrusy, and classic on the nose. On the palate, a classic juniper-forward gin with a light, fresh finish, and layers of oily texture coating the tongue.”
Oak & Eden Bourbon & Vine
Oak & Eden
Region: Texas
Category: Whisk(e)y | 104. Bourbon, Straight, Special Barrel Finish
Alcohol Content: 45%
Retail Price: $55.00
Production Volume: 5,001 – 50,000
Tasting Notes:
“Pleasant balance of richness and dry spice on the palate. Long finish. Really tasty.”
“A thin and slightly juicy sweet nose. On the palate, it’s a whiskey that grows more powerful over time, starting simple and sweet, but building fruit tannins and slight nuttiness before a soft and slightly tart berry finish.”
“A subtle nose with notes of fruitcake. Stewed dark fruit and wood on the palate with lightly toasted wood and blackberry jam on the nose.”
Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey
Sagamore Spirit
Region: Maryland
Category: Whisk(e)y | 121. Rye, Straight, NAS
Alcohol Content: 56%
Retail Price: $75.00
Production Volume: <5000
Tasting Notes:
“Crème brulee, toffee, and toasted caramel on the palate with notes of peach and apricot.”
“A warm, spicy, lingering finish with notes of toasted wood and candied fruit.”
“Deep, robust and nutty. Fabulous intensity.”
“Big Daddy! A power punch of spice and heft.”
“A high strength, big and bold flavored rye that is sweet and juicy with a satisfying bite on the back end.”
Sagamore Spirit Reserve Cognac Finish
Sagamore Spirit
Region: Maryland
Category: Whisk(e)y | 124. Rye, Straight, Special Barrel Finish, NAS
Alcohol Content: 53%
Retail Price: $70.00
Production Volume: <5000
Tasting Notes:
“Pleasant, complex fruit on the nose. I’m into it.”
“Overall a solid, delicious rue that I would love to sip with just a little water.”
“Makes me want to grab a good book and sip for awhile in my favorite chair.”
“Smooth finish and delicious.”
“Wow! My favorite of the entire competition. Balanced, bold, spicy, smooth, sultry.”
Mi Rancho Añejo 100% Agave Tequila
Casa Tequilera Dean Lozoya S.A. de C.V
Region: Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico
Category: Agave (Tequila, Mezcal) | 603. Tequila,100% Agave, Anejo
Alcohol Content: 40%
Retail Price: $40.00
Production Volume: 5,001 – 50,000
Tasting Notes:
“Solid”
“Light gold color with slow legs. Mild nose with notes of wood, vanilla and green pepper”
“Pleasant and sippable.”
“Vanilla and custard palate with a cinnamon and nutmeg finish.”
“Agave earthiness coupled with vanilla, caramel richness but a balanced freshness. Lovely.”
“Clean and neutral aroma at first whiff followed by a bouquet of floral notes. Balanced tannins, and not too sweet with tropical fruits and pepper flavors and a light, peppery finish.”
Corgi Spirits Earl Grey Gin
Corgi Spirits
Region: Jersey City, NJ
Category: Gin | 304. Contemporary (Signature Botanical)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Retail Price: $34.99
Production Volume: <5000
Tasting Notes:
“Very pleasant”
“Strong notes of tea leaf on the nose.”
“More tea on the palate with bright notes of juniper, lemon peel, and coriander. Long, soft, lingering finish with a hint of tea leaf.”
“This is special. The tea notes are balanced and make this gin pretty and different.”
“Floral and tea notes mingle with juniper and a hint of lemon. A nice touch.”
Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur
Holladay Distillery
Region: County Cork, Ireland
Category: Liqueurs | 905. Cream/Dairy
Alcohol Content: 17%
Retail Price: $29.99
Production Volume: 5,001 – 50,000
Tasting Notes:
“Yum! Could have this for dessert anytime.”
“Balanced on the palate with rich vanilla and caramel.”
“Tastes like fresh cake batter and you can taste the pleasant alcohol flavor under the layers of caramel and cream. Dessert in a glass. Yes please!”
“Drink your dessert! Creamy and not annoyingly sweet.”
