Spirits Over $100

Producer Description 

Nuance and complex, this shows a floral lilt up front, sequeing into more substantial vanilla and honey aromas.

The palate is relatively dry, with cocoa and leather lightening to ginger spice and hints of tropical fruit.

Producer Description 

Normandy distillate made from apples and aged for a minimum of two years in oak barrels. It exudes a crisp and very fruity aroma, as well as a refreshing, slightly spicy, but slender taste.

Multiple medalist of the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London, which confirms the prestige and unusual quality that the distillery manages to regularly keep in its bottles. Producer Description.

Producer Description 

This special and rare cuvee has been bottled especially for Christmas from its oak cask.

This Petite Champagne originates from an old family reserve handed down from father to son beginning with the house's creation in 1872 by Edouard Normandin's great, great grandfather, Jules Normandin.

Normandin Mercier cognacs are matured in the family chateau’s traditional cellars near the town of La Rochelle, the historic medieval port that made Cognac famous many centuries ago. The proximity of the ocean, the natural regulation of hygrometry and oceanic temperature all favor the ageing of the cognacs, giving them fullness, elegance and a unique character.

Producer Description 

Craigellachie 17 year old shows an evolution of the distillery style, the tropical fruit flavours are developing more exotic characters and there is an underlying sweetness as some cask development begins to show. This is a really special whisky and fun to explore, thinking about where the different flavours are coming from.

Tasting Notes by Advocacy Host Craig: Craigellachie is often referred to as 'The Bad Boy of Speyside,’ and after tasting the 17 it’s not hard to see why. Thanks to the use of traditional worm tub condensers, they produce a heavier and ‘meatier’ style of whisky.
Starting with a combination of sweet vanilla and caramelized apple, the 17 explodes with flavour when a drop of water is added, bursting forth with pineapple, citrus and lightly charred oak. It has a long finish that doesn't overstay its welcome.

Craigellachie was built in 1891 by the experienced whisky team of Peter Mackie and Alexander Edward. They needed a Single Malt as an ingredient for White Horse Blended Scotch, so the distillery was designed to produce a very specific distillery style which the team replicate to this day.

Craigellachie features some very specific production techniques: barley from an oil fired kiln giving more weight, short stills and worm tub condensers to minimise copper contact. The team do 21 mashes per week, have 8 wash backs and 4 copper pot stills.
People always talk about 'sulphur' flavours, which can be distracting. Craigellachie has a roasted brimstone character alongside a meaty quality. Way back in the 1890s Alfred Barnard described ""the chief characteristic of the Craigellachie brand is the pineapple flavour it develops with age"". This tropical fruit style is what makes the brimstone and meat flavours work, achieving a balance that gets beautifully complex in older age statements.

Producer Description 

Takamine is a refined and uniquely complex whiskey with notes of caramel, tobacco, stone fruit, vanilla, and oak. There is a savory note on the finish. 

Takamine Koji Whiskey is made with the patented Takamine Process, which uses an ancient Japanese mold, koji, to convert starches to sugars in a process similar to malting barley. Unlike malt whiskey where sugars are extracted in a warm water mash before yeast is introduced to start the fermentation, both the koji and yeast are active at the same time in a multiple parallel fermentation. This 100% barley ferment is then double distilled and aged in virgin oak and ex-Bourbon casks.

Vinous 98 Points | One of the finest examples of 100% Folle Blanche in all of Armagnac. This 31-year-old is light copper, with a complex floral bouquet of rose and almond blossom along with aromas of fig and candied orange that roll onto the palate, developing seamlessly into gingerbread on the midpalate and finishing fresh with notes of mint and licorice and that go on forever. Pretty, delicate, yet still dense and intense. A beautiful spirit that justifies its price.

Producer Description 

Domaine Boingnères is, by and large, considered the benchmark of brandy from the Bas-Armagnac. The estate was acquired in 1807 by Jean- Baptiste Boingnères, ancestor of current proprietor, Martine Lafitte. Located in the small commune of Le Frêche, the area has perhaps the best growing soil of the region. The Boingnères estate vineyards cover 21 hectares, 13 of which are planted in Folle Blanche, 4.5 in Colombard, and 4 in Ugni Blanc. Martine’s focus on brandy distilled from Folle Blanche reflects her commitment to the noble varieties, though a Boingnères bottling of Baco can sometimes be found—an echo of distillation from her father’s time.

Much of the oak at Boingnères comes from the Gascon forests. Martine contracts trees every year, and the staves are air-dried next to one of the Boingnères chais. The staves are then fabricated into 420-liter barrels by the local tonnelier, Gilles Bartholomo. Gilles’s grandfather actually made the barrels for Martine’s grandfather more than 60 years ago! The barrels are stored in one of two chais, both of which are relatively dry. Consequently, the alcohol level descends very slowly, and even after 20 years, some barrels have only lost 3 degrees of alcohol!

Armagnac is traditionally bottled without being reduced in alcohol, and as Martine Lafitte is a strict traditionalist, the Armagnacs at Boingnères are released at cask strength to ensure their absolute purity.

The 1985 Cepage Noble is distilled from approximately one-third each of Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Folle Blanche (exact proportions will vary lot to lot) and aged in used, 420-liter French oak casks. The current lot was bottled in 2021. A nose of vanilla custard and maple syrup transitions to a palate of leather and tobacco leaf. A whisper of banana pudding gives way to lemon oil and a hint of copper on the finish. 49% ABV.

Producer Description 

Domaine Boingnères is, by and large, considered the benchmark of brandy from the Bas-Armagnac. The estate was acquired in 1807 by Jean- Baptiste Boingnères, ancestor of current proprietor, Martine Lafitte. Located in the small commune of Le Frêche, the area has perhaps the best growing soil of the region. The Boingnères estate vineyards cover 21 hectares, 13 of which are planted in Folle Blanche, 4.5 in Colombard, and 4 in Ugni Blanc. Martine’s focus on brandy distilled from Folle Blanche reflects her commitment to the noble varieties, though a Boingnères bottling of Baco can sometimes be found—an echo of distillation from her father’s time.

Much of the oak at Boingnères comes from the Gascon forests. Martine contracts trees every year, and the staves are air-dried next to one of the Boingnères chais. The staves are then fabricated into 420-liter barrels by the local tonnelier, Gilles Bartholomo. Gilles’s grandfather actually made the barrels for Martine’s grandfather more than 60 years ago! The barrels are stored in one of two chais, both of which are relatively dry. Consequently, the alcohol level descends very slowly, and even after 20 years, some barrels have only lost 3 degrees of alcohol!

Armagnac is traditionally bottled without being reduced in alcohol, and as Martine Lafitte is a strict traditionalist, the Armagnacs at Boingnères are released at cask strength to ensure their absolute purity.

The Reserve Speciale is distilled from approximately one-third each of Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Folle Blanche (exact proportions will vary lot to lot) and aged in used, 420-liter French oak casks for a minimum of 5 years (again, age range will vary lot to lot). Aromas of melted marshmallow and orange zest are joined on the palate by fire and tannin. A savory finish of Castelvetrano olives and umami concludes this fascinating flavor arc. 48% ABV.

Producer Description 

From The Heart Of The Ozarks

Redbreast Missouri Oak Edition, the latest addition to Redbreast’s esteemed American Oak series, seamlessly blends the signature Redbreast single pot still whiskey profile, aged in sherry and ex-bourbon barrels, with the unique and distinctive influence of Missouri Oak. The whiskey was meticulously finished for ten months in Virgin Missouri Oak barrels, the oak sourced from the esteemed Ozark Forest, to bring a captivating twist to the renowned Redbreast liquid.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast 96 Points | The palate is balanced between the citric acid, alcohol, Cognac and wood, with the Cognac always prevailing. Concludes with finesse, a sweet-sour presence, and an incredibly lush texture.
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Producer Description 

Introduced in 1927 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Grand Marnier Maison, Cuvée du Centenaire is an exceptional blend of refined XO Cognacs from the Grand Crus of Grande and Petite Champagne combined with the essence of wild tropical oranges.

Producer Description 

Our most indulgent double-barreled expression. This bourbon undergoes an extended slumber in a second, custom-crafted barrel. Deeply toasted and lightly charred, it unlocks an unparalleled depth of flavor – a richness and complexity rarely encountered in American whiskey.

A robust medley of rich maple syrup, dark butterscotch, brittle caramel, bittersweet chocolate, burnt marshmallow and sweet hickory smoke notes dominate the nose.
Taste

Rich dried cherry and cranberry fruit swim in a blackberry jam brightened with hints of ripe apple. Chai tea and warming clove notes develop to spice up the palate.
Finish

Warm and drying with a lingering clove character. 

Producer Description 

Limited release wheated bourbon whiskey produced by Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky • Mash bill of 65% corn, 20% wheat, and 15% barley • Aged 8 years in char #4 American oak barrels • Twice distilled using an unspecified still regimen; Willett employs a column still made of copper and stainless steel and a Vendome copper pot still modeled after Willett’s original, patented pot still • Non-chill filtered; 54% ABV

Willett’s eight-year wheated is the most recent addition to the distillery’s lineup, introduced in 2022 and conceived entirely by master distiller Drew Kulsveen. Including older stocks than the Willett Pot Still Reserve and bottled at seven more percentage points of proof, this expression introduces new facets of the distillery’s wheated mash bill.

Producer Description 

Fortaleza Reposado Tequila Winter Blend 2024 is a limited-edition release that exemplifies the artistry and tradition of authentic tequila-making. Crafted using 100% Blue Weber agave and aged to perfection, this Reposado showcases the exceptional flavors that Fortaleza is known for, with a unique winter-inspired twist. The 2024 Winter Blend undergoes a carefully curated aging process in select casks, which impart nuanced flavors and complexity, making it a standout addition to any tequila enthusiast’s collection.

Fortaleza Reposado Winter Blend 2024 offers a rich and complex flavor profile that embodies the spirit of the season while celebrating traditional tequila craftsmanship. This Reposado is produced using traditional methods, including stone-ground tahona-milled agave and fermentation in open-air wooden tanks. Aged in a special selection of barrels, the Winter Blend reflects Fortaleza’s dedication to innovation while staying true to its heritage. The 2024 edition offers a unique flavor experience, making it a collector's item and a favorite for tequila aficionados.

This limited-edition tequila is crafted for immediate enjoyment, but its balanced and nuanced flavors will hold up beautifully with careful storage for several years.

Producer Description 

For the first time, our Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has been aged for up to nine years, then finished separately in Ruby & Tawny Port barrels for up to three years before being bottled at Cask Strength. At 118.8 proof (59.4% ABV), the dessert wine notes are met with a nutty, caramelized fruit profile worth th

Winemaker Description 

Milla is a liqueur made from the infusion of Camomile flowers in the grappa. The Camomile flowers are picked when fully ripened then left to steep for eleven months in the grappa. This liqueur is obtained from a traditional and easy recipe, typical in the Langhe territory, the land of Barolo and Barbaresco. 

Honey, beeswax, and floral on the nose, evoking aromas of chamomile tea and honey. Light, smooth and delicate on the palate, this is a perfect liqueur for dessert pairing.

Producer Description 

The 2024 release of George T. Stagg Bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery continues the legacy of this bold, barrel-proof bourbon. Bottled at a potent 136.1 proof, this Kentucky Straight Bourbon is crafted from barrels aged over 15 years and two months, honoring the robust character of its namesake and the heritage of Buffalo Trace Distillery.

First launched in 2002 in response to a demand for well-aged, full-strength whiskey, George T. Stagg remains a collector’s favorite for its powerful, complex profile. Last year’s expression took First Place across multiple categories at the 2024 International Whisky Competition, underscoring its reputation as a top-tier bourbon.

Producer Description 

The 2024 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery continues the legacy of unfiltered, barrel-proof rye whiskey. Aged over six years and bottled at a bold 127.2 proof, this release builds on the historic recipe inspired by Thomas H. Handy, the bartender credited with popularizing rye whiskey in the original Sazerac cocktail.

Hand-bottled without dilution, it captures the raw essence of the rye, honoring traditional methods dating back over a century. Last year’s expression earned a prestigious Double Gold at the 2024 Singapore World Spirits Competition, reinforcing its reputation as a world-class rye.

Producer Description 

The William Larue Weller 2024 Release from the esteemed Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is a true collector’s bourbon, embodying the rich tradition of wheated bourbons with an uncut, unfiltered presentation. Bottled at a robust 125.8 Proof (62.9% ABV), this bourbon is aged for 12 years and 6 months, allowing it to develop a smooth, complex profile that brings out the sweetness and depth of its wheated mash bill. Known for its balance of bold flavors and refined character, the 2024 release of William Larue Weller is a remarkable addition to any serious whiskey collection.

William Larue Weller is celebrated for its full-bodied and rounded profile, showcasing flavors of vanilla, caramel, and baking spices with a smooth finish that highlights its well-aged complexity.

Producer Description 

The Beluga Gold Line is visibly distinct with its perfect shine and transparency. The Beluga Gold Line is a true discovery for connoisseurs of a strong and gentle alcohol.

Beluga Gold Line is crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The spirit is distilled three times using the finest malt and pure artesian water. What sets Beluga Gold Line apart is its unique maturation process.

After distillation, the vodka is rested for 90 days, allowing the flavors to harmonize and develop. It is then filtered through quartz sand and silver, achieving unparalleled purity and smoothness.

Each bottle is a work of art, hand-decorated with a wax seal, and adorned with a leather cord. Beluga Gold Line offers a taste of luxury and refinement, inviting you to savor the culmination of craftsmanship and time-honored traditions with every sip.

Producer Description 

Aromas of mixed spices, praline and spiced orange harmonising with rich, deep notes of Oloroso Sherry. Palate : Orange, black cherries, dried fruit and ginger spiked with dark bitter chocolate and enriched with Sherry and Oak. Full bodied and creamy. Finish : Robust and intense with bitter-sweet notes of exotic spices, dark chocolate and oak.

Aberlour single malt whisky is named after where it’s made. It means ‘the mouth of the chattering burn’ in Gaelic, and this wild mountain stream is part of the Aberlour story.

The sweet, pure mountain springs were believed by the Celts to whisper secrets, and the Druids prized them as having healing powers. It was here in 1879 that philanthropist James Fleming founded the distillery, and ever since, Aberlour has used these legendary waters to create its whisky.

Aberlour finds its character thanks to the sourcing of local ingredients and its double-cask maturation, which means the spirit is enriched with hand-picked, rare Oloroso Sherry butts and American oak bourbon barrels.

The spirit ages simultaneously in each type of cask, developing rich spice from the Sherry and soft vanilla from the bourbon. The two are then subtly married to craft ‘the full Sherry impact’ found in Aberlour’s Double Cask Matured Single Malt Whiskies. The legendary craft of Aberlour can only be developed over time. Never rushed. Never compromised. 

Producer Description 

Glenmorangie THE CADBOLL ESTATE 15 Year Old American Oak Bourbon Cask Creamy Whisky. Distilled from single estate barley for a spirit of sweet creaminess, then aged in American Oak Bourbon Casks for Depth.

Unlock the door to a world of refined taste with Glenmorangie 15 Year The Cadboll Estate Scotch. This unique single malt is nothing short of a celebration of Highland craftsmanship and heritage.

From the first whiff, you are greeted by a warm and welcoming aroma of sweet vanilla combined with a touch of floral elegance. Your first sip reveals an irresistible blend of flavors — warm toffee dances with nutty undertones, harmoniously rounded off by a lively zest of citrus.

Expert Review - 1996

Ultimate Beverage Challenge  89 Points | Very Good, Strong Recommendation.

Producer Description 

Fully respect each vintage’s respective terroir and ensure its perfect expression.
No blending of domains or vintages in order to preserve the specificities,
No « reduction » that would dilute the alcoholic or aromatic strength and the nuances of the terroir by adding « petites eaux » in order to not betray the typicalities.

Each Bas-Armagnac is strictly itself, with the name of the domain of origin, its vintage and the bottling date which tells its real age as eaux-de-vie stop aging once bottle.

The color of this 1996 vintage is gold with pretty brown highlights. Nose: The nose is very fruity carried by notes of quince, fig, orange jam and verbena. Tannins on the palate that are still young but very delicate. Finale: A beautiful length in the mouth characterizes this Darroze 1996 Armagnac.

Bas-Armagnac, whose capital is Eauze, is to the west of the appellation. It runs in the Landes and the western part of the Gers. It represents 67% of the areas identified in Armagnac. In this part of the land, the soils are sandy loam, called “tawny sands”. Bas-Armagnac eaux-de-vie are delicate and very fruity.

Producer Description

Golden color with yellow tints. A beautiful nose with candied fruit (dates, prune), dried fruit (apricot, fig) and spices (vanilla, butterscotch). On the palate, the tannins are silky. The aromas of citrus (orange peel, tangerine) dominate. Beautiful length.

A unique expression of the terroir of the Grand Bas Armagnac, combining spices and woody notes.

Guy Deyres worked in the Bas Armagnac region for almost 40 years before passing on his passion for and the secrets of his craft to his son Jean-Luc, the current owner of Domaine de Rieston. Domaine Au Martin, with its sandy soils and baco grapes, is located in the ‘magical’ Grand Bas Armagnac sector and we consider ourselves lucky to exclusively present its armagnacs. We work with M Deyres senior (Domaine Au Martin) and Mr. Deyres junior (Domaine de Rieston).

Expert Reviews

Vinous 96 Points | Delamain’s youngest offering, at 20 to 25 years old, is also one of the standard-bearers of Grande Champagne (the blend was created in the 1920s and hasn’t changed). Light amber, with a delightful nose full of pear, marmalade, quince and orange blossom. The pear and quince carry onto the palate, where a distinctive membrillo-like flavor emerges — a unique note I find in a number of Delamain expressions. There’s gentle spice and warm citrus on the palate, gliding to a long, delicate finish. The definition of elegance.

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Bold and butterscotchy, this easy-drinking Cognac also has dried fruit and nutty tones, plus a saline touch that's reminiscent of salted caramel. There's a spicy flourish on the relatively dry finish. Delamain notes that it is one of the only Cognac houses to exclude VS and VSOP expressions from its portfolio, 'its range starts where others end, with an X.O.

Producer Description

A blend of long-aged XO Grande Champagne Cognacs, Delamain Pale & Dry benefits from a lengthy two-year marriage period in cask after assemblage before being bottled, resulting in a beautifully smooth roundness and flavour integration on the palate.

Producer Description 

Chicken Cock Whiskey Red Stave is a celebration of two iconic American industries – Kentucky bourbon and California wine. Red Stave is Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey nished in carefully selected J. Wilkes Petite Sirah barrels that will entice the senses for whiskey and wine lovers alike. With over 300 years of combined whiskey and winemaking history between Chicken Cock Whiskey and J. Wilkes there is expertise and provenance in each sip.

Hints of dark chocolate, toasted oak and dried fruit. Bold caramel and vanilla notes quickly evolves into pear, apple, cherry and red currant fruit flavors before presenting a long nish with bright cranberry tartness with a hint of black pepper

Complex long, lingering, nutmeg and clove spice. A perfect complex blend of flavors.

Producer Description 

This is a single malt from the Yoichi distillery, Nikka's first distillery built in 1934. The founder Masataka Taketsuru chose Yoichi in Hokkaido because of the similar environmental conditions to Scotland, where he learned whisky making.

Yoichi single malt has pleasant peaty notes and smokiness originating from the traditional direct coal-fired distillation as well as a briny hint delivered by the sea breeze during the aging process.

Producer Description 

The 18 Years Old is a single malt Scotch whisky of serious distinction. Once it has spent fifteen years maturing in American white oak casks approximately 30% is transferred into Spanish Oloroso casks to spend a further three years maturing. Then, when both elements have reached 18 years, we blend them back together to create a whisky with a rich bouquet and full, rounded flavour.

For a whisky of this age this expression has maintained, thanks to our delicate floral spirit and fine Oloroso casks, an incredible degree of vibrancy where the raisiny sweetness of the sherry has been toned down by the nuttiness of the American oak.

Producer Description 

The Macallan Double Cask 15 Years Old is a balanced single malt whisky created by bringing the perfect harmony of two oaks into one exceptional single malt whisky. Sherry seasoned American oak adds delicate vanilla to the subtle spice of European oak, delivering a whisky with a sweeter, warmer taste and character.

COLOUR

Golden butterscotch.

NOSE

Dried fruit, toffee and vanilla with smooth oak and baked apple. Balanced with notes of honey and chocolate.

PALATE

Sweet raisin and sultana builds with hints of vanilla, wood spice and citrus.

FINISH

Warm with ginger turning to caramel and citrus, with a lingering and creamy mouth feel.

Producer Description 

The Miyagikyo is Nikka’s second distillery, having been founded in 1969. The distillery uses chimney and large steel stills, so itswhiskies tend to be fruity and light, in comparison with the heavier Yoichi whiskies.

This affordable, non-age statement, single malt is perfect for those wishing to try out the wonderful whiskies that come from the Miyagikyo distillery. 

Producer Description 

Straight Rye Whiskey has experienced a strong resurgence in the American whiskey landscape, yet Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. was making this style more than 100 years ago. This small batch, Bottled-in-Bond 100 proof straight rye whiskey pays tribute to the former Distillery owner with a unique rye whiskey reminiscent of days long past.

Producer Description 

Whistle Pig The Boss Hog IX Sirens Song Straight Rye Whiskey is finished in Greek fig nectar and scratch Ventura barrels. Hand bottled on the WhistlePig Farm. Brand new and extremely limited.