P R O O F P O S I T I V E

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In uncertain economic times such as these,when consumers are more circumspect with

their spending, it’s good to know that oneneedn’t hock the iPod or trade in the flat-screen HD television in order to purchase

good quality spirits. Think I’m kidding?Please read on and be dazzled…

This year’s most stirring

bargains in spirits and

how to best utilize them

in cocktails, punches,

shots and jots.

B Y F . P A U L P A C U L T

Best Bargain VodkasHighly Recommended Finlandia Tangerine Fusion Vodka (Finland) 37.5% abv, $19.

Why we like it: The juicy citrusy and tangerine aroma is cleanand properly acidic. Flavor is crisp, refreshingly tart and austere, withthe astringent juiciness of the tangerine making for seriously pleasant

quaffing. How to enjoy it: A dynamite

ingredient in a punch for that annualtailgate party.

RecommendedSkyy Infusions All NaturalPineapple Vodka (USA) 35%abv, $19.

Why we like it: The sweet,ripe pineapple aroma hits theground running in the openingsniffs. Taste is properly astrin-

gent and smooth.How to enjoy i t :Serve in a cocktail thatis a vodka derivation ofthe Piña Colada.

Stockholm KrystalVodka (Sweden)40% abv, $20.

Why we l ike it: Smells of break-fast cereal, roastedgrain and vegetalelements. Entryis lithe, citrusyand nicely acidic.The midpalatefeatures the cit-rusy aspect thatkeeps the flavorfresh.

H o w t oenjoy it: Twowords: VodkaGimlet.

Best Bargain RumsHighly RecommendedBrugal White Label Dominican Rum (DominicanRepublic) 40% abv, $11.

Why we like it: Smells of marshmallows, cotton candyand grass. Entry is concentrated, buttery, spicy andmolasses-sweet. A textbook silver rum.

How to enjoy it: As the heart and soul of a classicDaiquiri.

RecommendedSeagram’s Smooth BrazilianRum (Brazil) 40% abv, $12.

Why we l ike it : The aroma leans towards grassi-ness and a slight herbal quality more than intensesweetness. The flavor ismedium sweet, beany andcaney bittersweet. Gains insweetness in the finish.

How to enjoy it: In afruit punch or in a Caipir-inha cocktail variation.

Best Bargain BrandiesHighly RecommendedGuillon Painturaud VSOP Grand Champagne Cognac(France); 40% abv, $50.

Why we like it: Smells of ripe yellow fruit, light baking spice andcandied walnut. Flavor is fruity (apples, pears) and ripe, as well asspicy (cinnamon).

How to enjoy it: Sidecar cocktail.

Seguinot VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac (France); 40% abv, $50.

Why we like it: Buttery and oily aromas of bacon, charred meatand prune. Flavor is sweet, fruity ripe and borders on being honeyed.

How to enjoy it: Neat in a wineglass.

Best Bargain GinRecommendedBombay Original Dry Gin (England)) 43% abv, $19.

Why we like it: Smells of pine,cedar and Christmas tree and is spicy,mildly citrusy. Tastes of pine and sap.Few better gins for the money.

How to enjoy it: Ideal forGin & Tonic, Aviation, Dry Mar-

tini and Orange Blossomcocktails.

Best Bargain LiqueursHighest RecommendationRossi d’Asiago Limoncello Snaps Liqueur (Italy); 32% abv, $22.

Why we like it: Highly tart, astringent and citrusy nose; textbooklimoncello bouquet. Refreshing, wonderfully crisp and intensely lemony.Perhaps the best limoncello I’ve ever reviewed.

How to enjoy it: Serve well chilled in a small cordial glass.

Highly RecommendedAntica Classic Sambuca Liqueur (Italy); 38% abv, $22.

Why we like it: Aroma has keen aniseed presence plus other aromassuch as juniper, granite and rubber; lovely. Flavor is well structured,acidic and has clean tastes of anise and thyme and sage.

How to enjoy it: Add an ounce to black coffee.

Premio Amaretto Liqueur (Italy); 30% abv, $20.Why we like it: Smells of apricot pit and almond butter. Flavor is

alive with fruit and nut tastes without being sweet or sugary. Midpalateaccents the fruit pit more than the almond,which returns in the finish.

How to enjoy it: Room temperature overvanilla ice cream or dip biscotti in it.

Premio Amaro Liqueur (Italy); 30%abv, $20.

Why we like it: Smells delicatelyherbal and foresty. Minerally andherbal tasting (dried thyme and sageespecially) at first then like stone fruitand dried herbs, with a dash of sweet-ness.

How to enjoy it: Great digestif.Slightly chilled, pour two ounces overice cube and add an orange slice.

Best Bargain TequilasHighly Recommended901 Silver 100% Blue Agave Tequila (Mexico) 40% abv, $40.

Why we like it: The rich agave scents are keenly peppery and vege-tal at first, then it turns sweeter and riper with aeration. Taste is sweet,almost sugary and honeyed. Ends up like nectar.

How to enjoy it: Tequila Sunrise cocktail.

Azul Reposado 100% de Agave Tequila (Mexico); 40% abv, $20.Why we like it: Smells of green olives, fennel, salt and brine; hey,

this bouquet rocks. Entry is gently sweet and intensely herbal then mid-palate is supple, moderately salty, nicely acidic. Without question, thebest value right now in all of Tequila. Buy by the case!

How to enjoy it: Classic Margarita.

Tequila Tierras Blanco 100% Blue Agave Tequila (Mexico) 40% abv, $40.

Why we like it: Lots of dill and dried herb aromas at the start thengoes toward ashy, tobacco and charcoal. Flavor is nearly mezcal-like in itsoff-dry smoky delivery.

How to enjoy it: As a slightly chilled shot, with a slice of orange tosuck on afterward.

RecommendedJose Cuervo Especial SilverTequila (Mexico); 40% abv, $18.

Why we like it: Owns a biscuity,slightly baked aroma that is invitingand balanced. Tastes delicatelysweet, peppery and a bit likebaked asparagus in butter.A good, capable, nicelymade mixing Tequila.

How to enjoy it:The oft ’ overlookedTequila cocktail calledthe Paloma.

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P R O O F P O S I T I V E

Best Bargain Whiskey/Whisky North AmericaHighest Recommendation Elijah Craig 12-Year-Old Kentucky Straight BourbonWhiskey (USA); 47% abv, $18.

Why we like it: Smells of prunes, black raisins and honey. Flavoris succulent, semisweet, with notes of toffee and dried red fruit. In aword: delicious.

How to enjoy it: Room temperature in a tumbler with a side ofmineral water.

Highly Recommended Fighting Cock 6-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Whiskey (USA) 51.5% abv, $17.Why we like it: Smells of old leather, pipe tobacco,

chocolate-covered truffles, almond paste and paraffin.Taste is sweet, spirity, warming and caramel-sweet.

How to enjoy it: Mix into a Manhattan cocktail.

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond KentuckyStraight Bourbon Whiskey (USA) 50% abv, $13.

Why we like it: A marshmallow-like aspectrounds off the edginess of the spirit, then there arealluring roasted nut scents that complement thespirit heat. Flavor is integrated and like sweet cornor buttered popcorn.

How to enjoy it: Primary ingredient for anOld Fashioned cocktail.

Recommended:Red Stag by Jim BeamKentucky Straight Bourbon WhiskeyInfused with NaturalFlavors–Black Cherry(USA); 40% abv, $18.

Why we like it: Smellsgently ambrosial andcherry ripe. Taste is ofsemisweet black cherry,giving an overall tasteprofile of harmonyand low-grade sweet-ness.

How to enjoyit: In a tumbler,

p o u r t w oounces overo n e l a r g e

i c e c u b e ;garnish with

lemon twist.

Best Bargain Whiskey/WhiskyBritish IslesHighly Recommended Pinch The Dimple 15-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky(Scotland); 43% abv, $32.

Why we like it: Pear, nectarine and banana scents in the open-ing nose. Taste is caramel-sweet and full of vanilla, nutmeg andhoney-coated cereal. Excellent.

How to enjoy it: Neat, with a few drops of mineral water.

RecommendedBallantine’s Gold Seal Special Reserve 12-Year-Old BlendedScotch Whisky (Scotland); 43% abv, $27.

Why we like it: Aroma is biscuity and spicy yet mild. Flavor isgrainy, off-dry, resiny and caramel-like.

How to enjoy it: Rob Roy cocktail.

Buchanan’s Deluxe 12-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky(Scotland); 40% abv, $38.

Why we like it: Nose gives off delicate scents of salted peanut,oak plank and cooking oil. Taste is oaky, resiny, maple-like andhoney-sweet. Finishes long and fudge-like.

How to enjoy it: Blood and Sand cocktail.

Glenfarclas 10-Year-Old Speyside Single Malt Whisky(Scotland); 40% abv, $45.

Why we like it: Biscuity aromas. Taste features uncomplicatedflavors of maple, toffee and bakedcherry. Finishes sweet, direct andhoneyed.

How to enjoy it: Neat at roomtemperature. No water or ice.

Ian Macleod’s Isle of Skye 8-Year-Old Blended ScotchWhisky (Scotland); 43%abv, $29.

Why we like it:Scents of light brine,l emon zes t and y e l l o w f r u i t sentice the olfac-tory sense. Flavoris round, salty,b i s c u i t y a n dbriny, yet fruity-ripe and grainy.

How to enjoyit: Neat at roomtemperature; add afew drops of mineralwater.

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P R O O F P O S I T I V E

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