Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/118688
TOPO Carolina Whiskey, USA ($22) Fudge and clay soothe on the first whiff, evolving to an earthy vanilla bean note. A clean, pure sensation is buoyed by the lightweight texture and peppered fudge in the mouth.The taste lingers, a generous spread of its wonderfully sweet character. Handcrafted from organic Carolina wheat; 84 proof. 92 TOP OF THE HILL DISTILLERY Dry Fly Straight Triticale Whiskey, USA ($35/375 ml.) Made from triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye, this regal whiskey lures you in with aromatics of caramel covered peaches, seaweed, sandalwood and fresh pineapple. On the palate, round, Sauternes-like sensuousness and an endless aftertaste of pineapple, Anjou pears, raisin toast, salted pretzels and sweet figs take you 'round and 'round.You don't want to get off this ride. Available in the distillery's Creel Collection of 375 ml. bottles. 94 D'Ussé Cognac VSOP, France ($45) Peach blossoms and orange-scented petals make for a delicate nosing; a nectar of honeyed pears continues the rapture. A lean start on the palate is dusted with white pepper and cinnamon and eventually warms to a stream of mineral-driven toasted peach toffee. From the 200-year-old Château de Cognac, the gorgeous bottle bears France's fabled Cross of Lorraine, an emblem that represents courage, honor and perseverance. 93 D'USSÉ SPIRITS Stoney Honey-Infused Grappa, USA ($75) Clarence "Stoney" Minetti—rancher, rodeo leader and restaurateur (founder of the Far Western Tavern in Santa Maria, CA)—was the inspiration for this 70-proof custom grappa from Moscato pumice, crafted by California's St. George Spirits for the Minetti and Righetti family (with the additional input from Steve Will of Riverbench Winery in Santa Maria). With only 22 cases made, we are told that the next batch will utilize Riverbench's own Chardonnay pumice. The honey sticks to the tongue and is soon lifted by black pepper and herbs and squeaky clean citrus (rosemary and lemon verbena are actually added after the second distillation). Just gourmet-geous. 95 SUSIE Q'S BRAND april 2013 / the tasting panel / 71