Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/29638
England ($33) Lovely juniper, vanilla and sugar nose; creamy texture and hints of citrus, spice, exotic botanicals and lush vanilla; long, harmonious and incredibly smooth with an aftertaste that lasts and lasts; rich, expansive and quite beautiful. 94 SHAW-ROSS INTERNATIONAL IMPORTERS ($20) Soft agave and vanilla nose; creamy, lush and spicy with agave and vanillins; rich and balanced with long, lovely finish. 92 ALTO SPIRITS LTD. 3 Years, USA ($30) American straight bourbon from Oregon with shimmering amber color from aging in white oak casks; smooth and mellow with caramel and vanilla, creamy and lush with pretty, balanced flavors; long, complex, 91 harmonious and rich. BIG BOTTOM WHISKEY ($16) Medium amber color; vanilla, caramel and spice with dried oranges and lush wood; mild but showing some nice character; long and likable. BROWN-FORMAN 88 95 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, USA ($40) A triumph of American distillation: lush, complex spice and oak nose; remarkably smooth for such a high-proof spirit with creamy texture and deep flavors of spice, toasty wood and dried fruits; layered and intense with a long, articulate finish; amazing. BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE april 201 1 / the tasting panel / 59 Early Times 354 Bourbon, USA 90 Underberg, Germany ($4.75 per threepack) First shipped to San Francisco in 1860, this functional post-prandial digestive bitters has therapeutic qualities, but also happens to taste great. Aromas of spice, clove, licorice; silky-textured and minty with anise, licorice and engaging gentian herbal flavors with a sweet undertone— and it’s kosher! UNDERBERG USA Big Bottom Whiskey Aged Camarena Silver Tequila, Mexico Fifty Pounds London Dry Gin, 93 Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland ($100) Intense and smoky with lovely grains and spice; notes of dried fruits and sherry; earth, malt and forest floor; rich and yet quite elegant; very long and complex with lovely malty notes and a deep flnish. PREISS IMPORTS Knappogue Castle Twin Wood - Sherry Finish Irish Single Malt Whiskey, Ireland ($100) Aged 16 years; smoke and caramel nose; spice, smoke, toast and notes of grapefruit; dense and loaded with character; complex and showing a very long finish; exceptional. CASTLE BRANDS 93 92 Pisco Portón Mosto Verde Pisco, Peru ($45) Smooth and creamy with vanilla and hints of black pepper; thick, spicy with a note of grappa earthiness; long and rich with an aromatic finish.