We toss the word complexity around a bit without ever really going into it. Now's as good a time as any to see what all the fuss is about!
Overall Rating: ★★★
Is it downright awful? No. That said, it's hard to reward what I feel is the taste of resting on centuries-old laurels.
Overall Rating: ⃠
Evan Williams' White Label is most everything good about bourbon. It's buttery, sweet, cheap, and enjoyable enough to have every day. It's one-note, sure, but it's a good note.
Overall Rating: ★★☆
It's always something of a backhanded compliment if you recommend a particular bottle for cocktails. Truth is, Rittenhouse is always a right answer when it comes to any drink that calls for whiskey.
Overall Rating: ★★★
Potato vodka: turns out it's a hell of a lot like regular vodka. This stuff is serviceable, but it certainly isn't in the upper echelon of fine spirits.
Overall Rating: ★☆☆
This one snuck up on me. You guys know I'm a sucker for a focused, well-considered flavor profile, and this is a direct hit. Value-minded drinkers may find a new favorite.
Overall Rating: ★★★
A great bottle of scotch that's commonly available. Don't miss the forest for the trees here: it's not a "craft" presentation, but it's stunning nonetheless.
Overall Rating: ★★★
Bloom is a very pretty gin with a subtle and unexpected mean streak. Like a lot of the pretty ones, I suppose.
Overall Rating: ★☆☆
Not as bad as I expected. Still not great, but when we're talking about Bacardi, even a backhanded compliment is a reason to celebrate.
Overall Rating: ★☆☆
A direct hit when it comes to a company telling you what they want to do, then going out and doing exactly that. If you've never heard of Compass Box, start here.
Overall Rating: ★★☆
You have a right to be skeptical. The betting man would put George Clooney's side project tequila down as a flop. Surprisingly, this is quite good stuff.
Overall Rating: ★★☆
A solid, distinctive, and well-made "high" rye. However, I think the story of how this product comes to be is something worthy of some attention.
Overall Rating: ★★☆
Brash, aggressive, and as subtle as a punch to the mouth. All that said, Wild Turkey 101 is a well-made bourbon and is totally worthy of a purchase even for a sissy boy like myself.
Overall Rating: ★★☆
Before you go home with another fifth of Sapphire, consider this bottle instead. Broker's is a fun, hard-working gin that can make for a superlative mixer, depending on the night you have planned.
Overall Rating: ★★☆
Reyka is a lot like Bjork: Icelandic and bizarre. If you don't know anything about how they make this stuff, it's definitely worth a read.
Overall Rating: ★★☆
An underachieving whiskey for sure. If you're wondering if the alternative to Bushmills and Jameson is any good, it really isn't.
Overall Rating: ⃠
As if the world didn't have enough reason to care about age-stated blended scotches. In a word: Ballantine's 12 is overcomplicated.
Overall Rating: ★☆☆
Aged rum can be stupidly cheap. However, an age statement of more than two decades carries some hefty expectations, regardless of price. In this respect alone the Kirk and Sweeney falls short.
Overall Rating: ★★☆
Don't let the (low) price scare you off. This isn't discount-grade Japanese whisky, but a graceful and well-crafted product. Not just for highballs!
Overall Rating: ★★☆
"Who drinks gin straight?" some people ask. Take my word for it: they're out there, and Nolet's is a gin those people are likely going to appreciate.
Overall Rating: ★★★