The Tasting Panel magazine

May 2016

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94  /  the tasting panel  /may 2016 PUBLISHER'S PICKS Hunt McKay 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($125) From the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford, this complex 100% Cab in its fourth vintage (previously called KaDieM), from a "perfect" growing season and aged 22 months in four different coopers' French oak, shows itself right away from the big notes of graphite and clay on the nose, tinted with brambly blackberry. Dusty tannins are stroked by fragrant, white peppered coffee- laden blackberries. Soy, cigar leaf, mint and espresso keep the finish bold. 94 SPIRITS Penthouse Canadian Whisky, Canada ($32) Striking golden hue—it almost appears lit from within. The nose offers up perfumed but- tercup and magnolia, orange peel and honey-spice. The palate mirrors the nose, with delicate layers of peach tart pastry which sits on the tongue gracefully. 94 THE VAULT SPIRITS COMPANY WhistlePig 15 Year Straight Rye Whiskey, USA ($199.99) From its single estate farm in Vermont, and its cooperage bearing tight grain patterns from trees grown in the harsh winters and short growing seasons of the Green Mountains, this is one of the most velvet-kissed whiskies we've tasted. The new barrels used for this 92-proof expression receive a long toast and heavy char, bringing out a nose so com- plete and multi-layered, it's mesmerizing. The palate is thick, rich and sweet with an orange peel–in–maple syrup effect. The spice in the rye is held in check and enhances the lime/ orange and sultry earth tones from the wood. 96 Michter's 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon, USA ($120) What do passion fruit, new leather and patchouli oil have in common? They are all the transcendental scents coming from this new limited-production ten-year- old, 94.4-proof Kentucky bourbon. On the tongue, it's a love bite: a teasing, irreverent and flirtatious nip. The tobacco leaf surges up into a caramel apple, with sandalwood addressing the finish. 95 MICHTER'S DISTILLERY William Wolf Pecan Bourbon Whiskey, USA/Netherlands ($25) Made in the U.S. then sent to Holland for flavoring. The delicate pecan notes are a faint murmur on the nose, but on first sip, a hushed whisper of sweetness. The 60-proofer is light-hearted and delicious, with peach and a hint of ginger on the finish. Recommended in cocktails or over ice. 91 SPIRIT IMPORTS, INC. Malfy Gin con Limone, Italy ($29.99) Italian lemons play a most charming note on the nose: light and sweet with just a hint of skin. The interplay of lemon, juniper, sandalwood and spearmint makes this 82-proof gin zingier than most, but on the finish, it becomes more of a lemon chiffon. 93 BIGGAR AND LEITH Old Fourth Distillery Hand Crafted Gin, USA ($30) Earthy tones of clay and a touch of sage come through aro- matically. The palate of this 94-proof Atlanta-based spirit is a masculine combination of tobacco leaf, anise, juniper and peppered peaches. 90 Writer's Tears Copper Pot Irish Whiskey ($40) This is a vatting of single pot still and single malt, triple-distilled Irish whiskey with a nose of honeyed apricots and wild flowers. The unctuous palate feels like melted butter and tastes like it's sea- soned with maple and tobacco. It finishes with a generous wash of stone fruit. 94 PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL Bartholomew Roberts Black Bart Navy Rum "Royal Fortune Reserve," Caribbean (tba; ~$39.95) An ode to one of the more notorious pirates, Black Bart, who raided ships and ports on the Atlantic Seaboard, in the Caribbean and along the West African Coast in the late 1600s and early 1700s (he was killed in 1722). The nose captures the senses with sea salt, sandalwood, orange peel and mango. Aboard deck on the palate, the attack of black pepper is subdued by rich notes of butterscotch and woodlands brush. At 111 proof, this hearty buccaneer powers through to the finish with an enduring cigar leaf and citrus—shipshape!! 92 THE GREAT BRITISH TRADING COMPANY MIXERS Elixir G Ginger Mix, USA ($15.99) This non-alcoholic mixer is a powerful ginger concentrate that can go in any drink. It has a fresh ginger scent with a noticeable citrus echo. The palate burns with ginger's authentic snap. 89 PERFECT BEVERAGE LLC 92-proof a long bringing tones Pecan Bourbon USA/Netherlands U.S. then U.S. then U.S. sent flavoring. The flavoring. The flavoring. are a nose, hushed The light-hearted peach and finish. cocktails or IMPORTS, INC. IMPORTS, INC. IMPORTS,

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