Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1399
Blue Reviews 44 / the tasting panel / july 2009 spirits 90 Bombora Vodka, Australia ($25) Smooth, lush vanilla nose; silky, lush and showing lovely vanilla and medium texture; fruity, long and finishing with a bit of heat. G'DAY IMPORTS 91 Señor Frog's Plata Tequila, Mexico ($26) Dense, vanilla agave aroma; silky with vanilla, spice and deep agave flavors; long, assertive and spiced. 90 Señor Frog's Reposado Tequila, Mexico ($30) Minerally, spicy agave nose; smooth, vanilla and edgy, bitter roasted agave flavors; toasted, long and dense. BATRACHIAN SPIRITS 92 Tres Genera- ciones Añejo Te- quila, Mexico ($50) Smooth, toasty and amber colored with ripe agave and nice, fleshy style; hearty, rich and show- ing sweet oak and spice. BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE 90 Red Stag Black Cherry Bourbon Whiskey, USA ($18) Toasty, rich and spiced, with sweet cherry and smooth, lush bourbon flavors, spice and mellow texture, supple and balanced; creamy and complex. BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE 91 Cascade Mountain Gin, USA ($28) Silky and smooth with nice aromatics, fresh botanicals and notes of vanilla and spice; long, deep and balanced. BENDISTILLERY 89 Thatcher's Organic Artisan Cucumber Liqueur, USA ($20) Sweet and creamy with definite cucumber flavors, floral and clean with a sweet, mellow fin- ish; lovely with vodka and could be interesting in other cocktails. THATCHER'S DISTILLERY 92 Xanté Original Premium Liqueur, Sweden ($40) Smooth and silky with sweet pear and honey; rich vanilla with notes of toasty oak and spice; unctuous, charming and delicious. KINDRED SPIRITS Dom Pérignon Double Whammy M oët & Chandon's beautiful new side-by-side of- fering contains one bottle of the 1995 Dom Pérignon as originally released (disgorged in 2002) and an OEnothèque version of the same vintage late- disgorged in 2007. There is a dramatic difference between the two, and this new package provides an excellent opportunity to compare them. SRP $550. 97 1995 Dom Pérignon (original bottling) Rich and complex with lovely notes of ma- turity, depth and toast. For those who appreciate the nuance of older champagnes, this wine is a home run. 97 1995 Dom Pérignon OEnotheque Shows youthful precision and purity with firmness and elegant structure. Those who value depth, com- plexity and remarkable finesse will prefer this one. MOËT-HENNESSY USA