Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/898117
november 2017 / the tasting panel / 73 SPIRITS & SAKE Durham Distillery Conniption American Dry Gin, North Carolina, USA ($34) Energetic notes of juniper and coriander waft out of the glass, while floral notes (lilac and jasmine) perfume the mouth. Peppered cucumber gives way to anise and tobacco leaf, leaving a strong impression on the finish. 90 DURHAM DISTILLERY, LLC Patrón Extra Añejo Tequila, Mexico ($90) Not over-oaked on the nose, the refined aromas of stone fruit and tangerine are bright and touched with honey. An elegant approach to this category, Patrón has reined in what other brands have over-powered and has created a soft-spoken tequila with confidence. Wild honey-kissed apricot, lime zest, and lanolin are anchors to the agave. 94 Straight Edge Bourbon Whiskey, USA ($55) Made by winemak- ers from Splinter Group Spirits in Napa, this perfumed 84-proof bourbon offers up scents of orange marmalade, spiced resin, and a unique combination of peach-on-spearmint. On the palate, baked apple and lemon verbena glide on satin. The finish of apricot dotted with white pepper is charming. 93 THE SPLINTER GROUP SPIRITS Haikara Yuzu Sake, Nara, Japan ($35) Sake producer Umenoyado created this fruit-infused sake to meld the cultures of East and West, and "Haikara" translates to "high collar" in reference to the collared shirts worn by Westerners. Packaged in a 720-milliliter textured bottle, it comes in at 25 proof. With a mesmer- izing authentic nose of freshly-squeezed lemon juice, tart flavors of lemon and lime emerge with a whisper of meringue. 92