Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/326040
Justin 2011 "Focus" Syrah, Paso Robles ($100) On color alone, I am adding a kiss or two. The tarry purple opaqueness is eye-opening but matches the stunning grape plush, the plum and cranberry accents and the ripe core of creamy, peppered blackberry. Currants and dark chocolate run a curvy path through every sip. A stellar example of this grape in Paso Robles's cooler growing area. 95 ROLL GLOBAL SPIRITS Senda Real Gold Tequila, Mexico ($25) Made with 100% blue Weber agave, this "gold" is not aged, but rather, caramel and hints of vanilla are added to silver tequila, resulting in its straw-yellow color. The nose is astringent, with subtle spearmint, young agave tartness and lime. The taste is clean, with a metallic-caramel texture that's not unpleasant and soon smoothes out to a softer sweetness. A good mixing tequila. 89 GLASS BOTTOM DISTRIBUTORS Tequila Tapatio 110 Blanco, Mexico ($48/1L) A 110-proof big boy version of Tapatio, barely filtered, and aged in stainless steel for six months. This expression is about texture: a viscous, peppered, chewy sensation with aromatics ranging from lanolin to clay, white flowers to red fruit. 93 CHARBAY DISTILLERS The Irishman Founders Reserve Irish Whiskey, Ireland ($30) Created by the brand's founder, Bernard Walsh, this is his signature blend, a unique take on the old pot still whiskey style. Produced in small batches and handcrafted, Founder's Reserve is vatted using 70% aged single malt and 30% single pot still whiskey. What makes this unusual is that it is the only Irish blended whiskey to contain 100% whiskey distillates from the copper pot still and no grain or column still whiskey. Round, warm and with a depth of character, the nose offers up autumn spices, toffee, bread pudding and orange peel. The peppered peaches and stone- on-orange-peel is a lean textural sensation on the tongue. Cedar and butterscotch are good company on the long finish. 94 PALM B AY INTERNATIONAL Berentzen Bushel & Barrel, Germany ($22) Blending in the authentic flavor of apples and cara- mel from Berentzen Apple Liqueur to Kentucky straight bourbon offers the effect of a hedonistic nose and a palate to match. Chocolate mint, green apples, baked peaches and Bananas Foster made our editors here at our office cry out in unison, "Wow—what is this? It's fantastic!" 92 BERENTZEN USA TP0614_072-101.indd 97 5/23/14 9:40 PM