P ROOF POSITIVE

r ’s m o s t s t i r r ing
This yea
a i n s i n s p i r i t s and In uncertain economic times such as these,
b a rg when consumers are more circumspect with
e s t u t i l i z e t h em
how to b their spending, it’s good to know that one
c o c k t a i l s, p u nches, needn’t hock the iPod or trade in the flat-
in
.
shots and jots screen HD television in order to purchase
LT good quality spirits. Think I’m kidding?
UL PACU
B Y F. PA
Please read on and be dazzled…
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P ROOF POSITIVE
Best Bargain Vodkas
Highly Recommended
Finlandia Tangerine Fusion Vodka (Finland) 37.5% abv, $19.
Why we like it: The juicy citrusy and tangerine aroma is clean
and properly acidic. Flavor is crisp, refreshingly tart and austere, with
the astringent juiciness of the tangerine making for seriously pleasant
quaffing.
How to enjoy it: A dynamite
ingredient in a punch for that annual
tailgate party.
Recommended
Skyy Infusions All Natural
Pineapple Vodka (USA) 35%
abv, $19.
Why we like it: The sweet,
ripe pineapple aroma hits the
ground running in the opening
sniffs. Taste is properly astrin-
gent and smooth.
How to enjoy it:
Serve in a cocktail that
is a vodka derivation of
the Piña Colada.
Stockholm Krystal
Vodka (Sweden)
40% abv, $20.
Why we like
it: Smells of break-
fast cereal, roasted
grain and vegetal
elements. Entry
is lithe, citrusy
and nicely acidic.
The midpalate
features the cit-
rusy aspect that
keeps the flavor
fresh.
How to
enjoy it: Two
words: Vodka
Gimlet.
Best Bargain Rums Best Bargain Gin Best Bargain Tequilas
Highly Recommended Recommended Highly Recommended
Brugal White Label Dominican Rum (Dominican Bombay Original Dry Gin 901 Silver 100% Blue Agave Tequila (Mexico) 40% abv, $40.
Republic) 40% abv, $11. (England)) 43% abv, $19. Why we like it: The rich agave scents are keenly peppery and vege-
Why we like it: Smells of marshmallows, cotton candy Why we like it: Smells of pine, tal at first, then it turns sweeter and riper with aeration. Taste is sweet,
and grass. Entry is concentrated, buttery, spicy and cedar and Christmas tree and is spicy, almost sugary and honeyed. Ends up like nectar.
molasses-sweet. A textbook silver rum. mildly citrusy. Tastes of pine and sap. How to enjoy it: Tequila Sunrise cocktail.
How to enjoy it: As the heart and soul of a classic Few better gins for the money.
Daiquiri. How to enjoy it: Ideal for Azul Reposado 100% de Agave Tequila (Mexico); 40% abv, $20.
Gin & Tonic, Aviation, Dry Mar- Why we like it: Smells of green olives, fennel, salt and brine; hey,
Recommended tini and Orange Blossom this bouquet rocks. Entry is gently sweet and intensely herbal then mid-
Seagram’s Smooth Brazilian cocktails. palate is supple, moderately salty, nicely acidic. Without question, the
Rum (Brazil) 40% abv, $12. best value right now in all of Tequila. Buy by the case!
W h y w e l i k e i t : The How to enjoy it: Classic Margarita.
aroma leans towards grassi-
ness and a slight herbal Tequila Tierras Blanco 100% Blue Agave Tequila (Mexico)
quality more than intense 40% abv, $40.
sweetness. The flavor is Why we like it: Lots of dill and dried herb aromas at the start then
medium sweet, beany and goes toward ashy, tobacco and charcoal. Flavor is nearly mezcal-like in its
caney bittersweet. Gains in Best Bargain Liqueurs off-dry smoky delivery.
sweetness in the finish. Highest Recommendation How to enjoy it: As a slightly chilled shot, with a slice of orange to
How to enjoy it: In a Rossi d’Asiago Limoncello Snaps Liqueur (Italy); 32% abv, $22. suck on afterward.
fruit punch or in a Caipir- Why we like it: Highly tart, astringent and citrusy nose; textbook
inha cocktail variation. limoncello bouquet. Refreshing, wonderfully crisp and intensely lemony. Recommended
Perhaps the best limoncello I’ve ever reviewed. Jose Cuervo Especial Silver
How to enjoy it: Serve well chilled in a small cordial glass. Tequila (Mexico); 40% abv, $18.
Why we like it: Owns a biscuity,
Highly Recommended slightly baked aroma that is inviting
Antica Classic Sambuca Liqueur (Italy); 38% abv, $22. and balanced. Tastes delicately
Why we like it: Aroma has keen aniseed presence plus other aromas sweet, peppery and a bit like
such as juniper, granite and rubber; lovely. Flavor is well structured, baked asparagus in butter.
acidic and has clean tastes of anise and thyme and sage. A good, capable, nicely
How to enjoy it: Add an ounce to black coffee. made mixing Tequila.
How to enjoy it:
Premio Amaretto Liqueur (Italy); 30% abv, $20. The oft’ overlooked
Why we like it: Smells of apricot pit and almond butter. Flavor is Tequila cocktail called
alive with fruit and nut tastes without being sweet or sugary. Midpalate the Paloma.
Best Bargain Brandies accents the fruit pit more than the almond,
Highly Recommended which returns in the finish.
Guillon Painturaud VSOP Grand Champagne Cognac How to enjoy it: Room temperature over
(France); 40% abv, $50. vanilla ice cream or dip biscotti in it.
Why we like it: Smells of ripe yellow fruit, light baking spice and
candied walnut. Flavor is fruity (apples, pears) and ripe, as well as Premio Amaro Liqueur (Italy); 30%
spicy (cinnamon). abv, $20.
How to enjoy it: Sidecar cocktail. Why we like it: Smells delicately
herbal and foresty. Minerally and
Seguinot VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac (France); herbal tasting (dried thyme and sage
40% abv, $50. especially) at first then like stone fruit
Why we like it: Buttery and oily aromas of bacon, charred meat and dried herbs, with a dash of sweet-
and prune. Flavor is sweet, fruity ripe and borders on being ness.
honeyed. How to enjoy it: Great digestif.
How to enjoy it: Neat in a wineglass. Slightly chilled, pour two ounces over
ice cube and add an orange slice.

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Best Bargain Whiskey/Whisky Best Bargain Whiskey/Whisky
North America British Isles
Highest Recommendation Highly Recommended
Elijah Craig 12-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Pinch The Dimple 15-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky
Whiskey (USA); 47% abv, $18. (Scotland); 43% abv, $32.
Why we like it: Smells of prunes, black raisins and honey. Flavor Why we like it: Pear, nectarine and banana scents in the open-
is succulent, semisweet, with notes of toffee and dried red fruit. In a ing nose. Taste is caramel-sweet and full of vanilla, nutmeg and
word: delicious. honey-coated cereal. Excellent.
How to enjoy it: Room temperature in a tumbler with a side of How to enjoy it: Neat, with a few drops of mineral water.
mineral water.
Recommended
Highly Recommended Ballantine’s Gold Seal Special Reserve 12-Year-Old Blended
Fighting Cock 6-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Scotch Whisky (Scotland); 43% abv, $27.
Whiskey (USA) 51.5% abv, $17. Why we like it: Aroma is biscuity and spicy yet mild. Flavor is
Why we like it: Smells of old leather, pipe tobacco, grainy, off-dry, resiny and caramel-like.
chocolate-covered truffles, almond paste and paraffin. How to enjoy it: Rob Roy cocktail.
Taste is sweet, spirity, warming and caramel-sweet.
How to enjoy it: Mix into a Manhattan cocktail. Buchanan’s Deluxe 12-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky
(Scotland); 40% abv, $38.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Why we like it: Nose gives off delicate scents of salted peanut,
Straight Bourbon Whiskey (USA) 50% abv, $13. oak plank and cooking oil. Taste is oaky, resiny, maple-like and
Why we like it: A marshmallow-like aspect honey-sweet. Finishes long and fudge-like.
rounds off the edginess of the spirit, then there are How to enjoy it: Blood and Sand cocktail.
alluring roasted nut scents that complement the
spirit heat. Flavor is integrated and like sweet corn Glenfarclas 10-Year-Old Speyside Single Malt Whisky
or buttered popcorn. (Scotland); 40% abv, $45.
How to enjoy it: Primary ingredient for an Why we like it: Biscuity aromas. Taste features uncomplicated
Old Fashioned cocktail. flavors of maple, toffee and baked
cherry. Finishes sweet, direct and
Recommended: honeyed.
Red Stag by Jim Beam How to enjoy it: Neat at room
Kentucky Straight temperature. No water or ice.
Bourbon Whiskey
Infused with Natural Ian Macleod’s Isle of Skye
Flavors–Black Cherry 8-Year-Old Blended Scotch
(USA); 40% abv, $18. Whisky (Scotland); 43%
Why we like it: Smells abv, $29.
gently ambrosial and Why we like it:
cherry ripe. Taste is of Scents of light brine,
semisweet black cherry, l e m o n z e s t a n d
giving an overall taste y e l l o w f r u i t s
profile of harmony entice the olfac-
and low-grade sweet- tory sense. Flavor
ness. is round, salty,
How to enjoy b i s c u i t y a n d
it: In a tumbler, briny, yet fruity-
p o u r t w o ripe and grainy.
ounces over How to enjoy
o n e l a r g e it: Neat at room
i c e c u b e ; temperature; add a
garnish with few drops of mineral
lemon twist. water.

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