Saturday, January 15, 2022
Saturday, January 1, 2022
Top 5 Spirits of 2021
Top 5 Spirits of 2021
This is a brief list of the top 5 spirits I tried that influenced the way I look at spirits in 2021. While not necessarily a top 10 list of highest best scored spirits of 2021 - it lists some of the spirits that opened new doors to me for what flavors could be present in a spirit, wood aged or not. I have not yet published reviews for the majority of them, but now you have something to look forward to in the future!
- L'Encantada Domaine Lous Pibous 1995 Cask 141 - A Lous Pibous bottling marked by a thick texture, fruity floral blue raspberry notes, and nearly non-existent alcohol heat. Armagnac aged entirely in new oak is certainly worth seeking out.
- L'Encantada Domaine Le Freche 1997 Cask 9 - Bold wood notes with cherry syrup and a creaminess present that I find in some Le Freches bottled by L'Encantada. This was my first Le Freche and I am hooked.
- Cyril Double Zero Eau de Vie de Cidre - This unaged apple eau de vie blew me away when I first tried it. Big apple notes carried by a coating mouthfeel and a long fruity finish. Wood need not apply here.
- Baraillon 1974 - While it may not be one of the highest scored armagnacs in my mind, this armagnac has a wonderful floral blue raspberry nose which is somewhat similar to the 1995 cask 141 Lous Pibous. It also has balanced notes of nectarine pit rancio that keep me coming back for more. This was the year I started to be able to identify similar rancio characteristics in certain well aged spirits.
- St. Lucia Master's Selection Chairman's Reserve, '100% Vendome' 13 Years Old for Hidden Harbor - This rum had notes of watch maker's oil mixed with peach pit rancio and maintained a very long dark oily finish. This convinced me of the power of the Vendome still as well as gave me a beautiful example of rancio in a tropically aged rum.
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