Highest Rated Spirits
Updated December 14, 2009
Bo Clark from Cool Springs Wines and Spirits has made his very own list of the highest rated spirits to share exclusively with you. Use it as a guide to help you shop!
Rum
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Mount Gay Extra Old RumDeep amber copper color. Rich aromas of dried coconut, banana and raisins, caramel buttercream, toasted pecans, and brown spices follow through on a round, vibrant entry to a slightly tannic, dry-yet-fruity full body with cascading waves of toffee, oak, and spice flavors and a long, lingering fade. A fantastic, world class aged rum for slow contemplation. RATING: 95 points (Exceptional) |
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Ron Santa Teresa 1796 Extra Aged RumRich copper color. Deep aromas of molasses, toffee, brown spices, and olive skin follow through on a soft, plush entry to a dryish medium body with delicate layers of dried fruits and raisins, creme brulee, and cola nut. Finishes with a long, evolving wave of tobacco, cocoa, mineral and peppery spice nuances. A stately, sophisticated rum for sipping or debonair cocktails. RATING: 94 points (Exceptional) |
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Zaya 12 Year Gran Reserva RumRich copper brown color. Rich aromas of chocolate pudding and brownies, roasted almond, and lacquered wood follow through on a round, supple entry to a sweet medium-to-full body with raisin puree and sweet baking spice notes. Finishes with a and polished wood and toffee and pepper fade. Pretty sweet but very tasty. RATING: 89 points (Highly Recommended) |
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Flor de Cana 4 Year Old White RumClear with a blue nickel cast. Aromas of bananas and nuts in cream with a touch of stalk. A smooth entry leads to a supple, dryish medium body of clean banana custard, walnut oil, coconut cream, and powdered sugar flavors. Finishes with a nice dry, mineral, plantain, toasted nut, and warm peppery wave. Nicely put together and will make an excellent mixer.
RATING: 93 points (Exceptional) |
Vodka
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Jean Marc XO VodkaBrilliantly clear. Complex, vibrant, yet subtle aromas of powdered sugar, star anise, dried white flowers, cream, and wheat dough are sweet and inviting. A super smooth, plush entry leads to an oily medium-to-full body of delicate anise cookie, confectioner's sugar, frosting, and marzipan flavors. Finishes with a long, graceful wet limestone, pastry dough, anise seed, almond oil, and pink peppercorn fade. A startlingly flavorful and elegant vodka that clearly pushes the limits of the unflavored vodka category. Truly world class, expertly made and unique vodka. RATING: 97 points (Superlative) |
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Stolichnaya Elit VodkaClear. Rather neutral aromas with hints of freshly whipped cream, fig, and talc follow through on very smooth satiny to an oily medium-to-full body with great creamy smoothness and fine balance. Finishes with a long, effortless, wet stone and delicate sweet spicy fade. An extraordinary vodka for sipping neat or the finest cocktails. RATING: 97 points (Superlative) |
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Blue Ice VodkaClear. Sweet pastry frosting and pastry dough aromas with a touch of almond and dried flowers. A round plush entry leads to a smooth, dryish medium-bodied palate with subtle potato bread, powdered sugar, wet stone, and a hint of spice. Finishes with a nice touch of sugar-dusted golden raisins pepper, and talc. An effortless sipping vodka for smooth martinis or neat. RATING: 94 points (Exceptional) |
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Vox VodkaClear. Very clean and neutral aromas have just a hint of cream and angel food cake and follow through on a round, satiny entry to a dryish, oily medium-to-full body with powdered sugar and wet stone notes. Finishes with a long, talc and delicate sweet spice accented fade. A delicious, elegant vodka. RATING: 96 points (Superlative) |
Bourbon
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Wild Turkey American Spirit BourbonCopper color. Dense and intense aromas of sweet tobacco roasted nuts, baked apples, brown spices, coconut custard, peppercorns, molasses, and ash. A bold entry leads to a spicy and dryish full body of vibrant toffee, honey buttered rye toast, star anise, creme brulee, blackstrap molasses, and cigar box flavors. Finishes with a long spicy, tobacco, praline, and ash fade with firm wood tannins. A powerhouse bourbon for those seeking a walk on the wild side. Smoothes out beautifully with a few drops of spring water that really accents the rye grain, anise and toffee notes. RATING: 97 points (Superlative) |
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Evan Williams 1999 Vintage Single BarrelBright copper color. Deep aromas of chocolate pecan turtles, cashew butter, olive, and brown spices follow though on a soft, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with anise seed, pink peppercorn, and nutskin notes. Finishes with a creamy vanilla, talc, and peppery spice fade. A rich, elegant whisky. RATING: 94 points (Exceptional) |
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William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon WhiskyDeep copper color. Complex spice, chocolate and nut aromas. A big robust entry leads to a sweet full-bodied palate with rich and tasty, wood spice and toffee flavors. Finishes with great length with spicy vanilla, charred oak, and a light mineral tang. Strong, but so balanced and smooth that you barely notice the high alcohol. RATING: 94 points (Exceptional) |
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Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon WhiskyDeep amber color. Intense aromas of vanilla toffee, caramelized nuts, coconut cream, and spice. A round, vibrant entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity full body of sweet cinnamon, honeyed raisin toast, white pepper, praline, and mineral flavors. Finishes with a long, evolving fade of nuts, clove, and wet stones. Great intensity and poise. RATING: 94 points (Exceptional) |
Gin
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Hendrick's GinClear. Polished aromas of fresh citrus, herbal juniper, flower petal and cucumber follow through on bright, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with violet, lavender, and pink peppercorn notes resonating brightly. Finishes with a delicate sweet citrus custard pastry, spice, potpourri, and mineral fade all in fine balance. A delightfully fruity, floral nouveau gin for artisan cocktails. RATING: 94 points (Exceptional) |
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Martin Miller's GinClear. Complex, sweet aromas of violets, orange blossom honey, cucumber, herbal juniper, and spice aromas round, satiny entry leads to a fruity medium-to-full body with lovely smoothness, balance and depth. Finishes with long, violet gum and sweet spice fade. A beautifully floral gin for to enjoy on the rocks, martinis, or fizzes. RATING: 94 points (Exceptional) |
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Death's Door GinClear. Aromas of cream of wheat, brown sugar, licorice, and delicate peppery spices follow through on a supple, satiny entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with citrus and peach custard and herbal juniper notes. Finishes with a vibrant anise seed, citrus marmalade on a sweet wheat cracker, and white pepper fade. A smooth, lively gin and will shine in cocktails. RATING: 92 points (Exceptional) |
Liqueurs
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St. Germain Delice De Sureau LiqueurPale golden color. Vibrant aromas of elderflower and lychee follow through on a soft, supple entry to a fruity, moderately sweet medium-to-full body with tangy tropical fruit sweetness and great depth. Finishes with a long, graceful, herb accented fade. An instant classic and pure magic for cocktails. RATING: 97 points (Superlative) |
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Castries Peanut Rum CremeCreamy taupe color. Vibrant three dimensional peanut aromas are amazingly complex and pure and follow through on a thick, velvety entry to a mild sweet full body with waves of ground peanut, peanut skin, and peanut oil flavors buttressed by fresh sweet cream. Finishes with a long, lingering fresh cracked peanut fade. An amazingly rich, smooth and balanced liqueur with a unique and delicious flavor. A must try liqueur. RATING: 95 points (Exceptional) |
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Heering Original Cherry LiqueurOpaque reddish brown color. A vibrant melange of mincemeat pie, maraschino cherry, and peppery spice aromas follow through on bold entry to a sweet, fruity and tangy full body with waves of cinnamon stick, clove, dried cherry, raisin, nut, and prune flavors. Finishes with a long, enveloping fade of dried fruit, molasses, honey, spice and nuts. An intense and rewarding liqueur for measured sipping or creative mixing. RATING: 95 points (Exceptional) |
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Dooley's Original Toffee LiqueurOpaque tan color. Fresh cream, caramel custard, and toffee aromas follow through to a supple, satiny moderately sweet full body with nice notes of cocoa, dried peaches, and fresh meringue. Finishes with a long, creamy toffee fade. Delicious. RATING: 94 points (Exceptional) |