Awesome Spirits

Scotland’s venerable Tamdhu Distillery was born 128 years ago on the banks of the River Spey. From that moment, every drop of their rich and enticing whisky has been crafted with the same dedication — starting with the water drawn from the distillery’s own spring. This 12-year-old limited release is a tasty Speyside single malt for sherry wood connoisseurs.

Clearly aware that two is better than one, curiously different Hendrick’s Gin released a limited-edition dual pack featuring two distinctive fan favorites: Flora Adora and Grand Cabaret gins Conjured up in Scotland by Hendrick’s master distiller Lesley Gracie, Flora Adora is bright and floral, while Grand Cabaret dances with herbs and stone fruit.

As tequila has become a favorite spirit in America, our tastes have become more sophisticated, leaning toward golden Reposados over Blancos. Milagro Select Reposado is a smooth and flavorful 100% blue agave tequila made from two tequilas aged in American oak and French oak barrels. Great for sipping neat or on the rocks.

Whisky infused with coffee beans? Now that’s an eye-opener. To compliment the signature corn sweetness and rye spice notes of Bib & Tucker’s terrific bourbon, they worked with a local Tennessee roaster on a custom blend of premium Arabica beans. The beans then steeped in cask-strength six-year whiskey before being blended into the final batch.

Johnnie Walker Black Label is a true icon. A masterful blend of single malt and grain whiskies from across Scotland, it’s aged for at least 12 years. The result is a timeless classic with depth and balance of flavor. Drink it with ice, neat, in a highball, or in a seasonal original like Johnnie Walker’s Midnight Maple cocktail.

Recently named the “Best Single Malt Scotch Under 20 Years” with a 98-point rating, Loch Lomond 18-Year-Old Scotch Whisky is a big deal. It also ranked in the Top 20 of Drinks International’s list of the “World’s Most Admired Whiskies.” Luckily for us, the premier Highlands single malt was recently reintroduced in the US.

Inside the impressive emerald green bottle of Buchanan’s Green Seal is an exceptional-yet-accessible blended Scotch whisky. Equally perfect neat or on the rocks, Green Seal unexpectedly brings tropical and spiced flavor notes — plus pioneering aging techniques — to an exclusive single malt from Glen Elgin Distillery.

During the California gold rush, a “fat thumb” was the practice of taking a generous pinch of gold dust as payment. Similarly, Argonaut’s master distiller took a “fat thumb” when pulling from his alembic still’s brandy stocks — aged 2 to 16 years in oak barrels — to create this premium, 86-proof blended brandy.

Bozal’s Cempasúchil Mezcal is back in time for Día de los Muertos. This smooth and sippable spirit (47% ABV) is infused with marigold and mandarin peel, balancing citrus, floral, and spice notes with a smoky finish. It comes in a black ceramic vessel engraved with marigold motifs, and is perfect for toasting the festivities with friends.

Dry gin combined with Yarra Valley grapes from Australia wine country? Bloody brilliant. It’s herby and fruity, but how do how do you bloody drink purple Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin? This bundle’s copper toby tins, jigger and Hawthorne strainer make it easy to mix up flavorful gin cocktails like Bloody Sours and Bloody Clover Clubs.

The world’s best-selling Canadian whisky gets frisky with the limited-edition Crown Royal Chocolate Whisky. It’s a chocolatey indulgence with hints of caramel and toffee, lingering notes of dark cacao and Crown Royal’s velvety smoothness. Whisky and chocolate pairs in unexpected ways, easing into grapefruit juice, lemonade and cola cocktails.

With the motto “Serve honorably. Drink honorably,” it’s clear that Four Branches Bourbon takes its job seriously. Four veterans from the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force joined forces to found Four Branches Bourbon to honor fellow service members and share profits with charities including Folds of Honor and CIA Office Memorial Fun.

Memphis-based Blue Note is bringing back its Honey Cask Bourbon with 1,800 bottles hitting select markets and online. The three-year-old whiskey is finished in American oak barrels that first aged bourbon, then honey, before being reused to impart a rich sweetness. The spirit packs a 70/21/9 corn-rye-barley mash bill and packs a punch at 113.86 proof.

Take it from Drake (and Snoop Dogg, 2Pac and Lil Wayne). Hennessy, cognac, or “Henny” has been referenced in more than 1,000 songs. Originating from Cognac, France, Hennessy V.S. (“very special”) Cognac is a rapper’s delight — a classic blend of more than 40 eaux de vies from the four premier growing regions of Cognac.

Crafted in the Dominican Republic in a 135-year-old distillery, Brugal 1888 Doblemente Añejado is an approachable fine rum with notes of vanilla, red fruits, toffee, and cocoa. A double-aging process in bourbon and sherry casks enhances the rum with natural oak flavors. It’s just the ticket for Mai Tais, Cuba Libres, Daiquiris, and other classic rum drinks.

We’ve enjoyed rediscovering two famed Scotch Whisky distilleries through their signature expressions: Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old Perfectly Balanced and Glen Scotia 10-Year-Old. Loch Lomond’s exceptional quality helped the distillery clinch the title of 2024 Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year in the International Wine & Spirits Competition.