Top 10 Spirits of 2023

 

Top 10 Spirits of 2023

Just kidding, its just going to be the top 5 again. Don't act all surprised.

Again, like last year - this is a brief list of the top 5 spirits I tried that influenced the way I look at spirits in 2023. As in, actually drank in 2023, as opposed to being released in 2023. While not necessarily a top 5 list of my highest scored spirits of 2023 - 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, young or old, high proof or low proof. Some spirits take preconceived notions of all these parameters and just cast them to the side. I have not yet published reviews for them, but now you have something to look forward to in the future! Eventually, maybe.

1. Marquestau 2001 47.1% ABV - This year was the year of trying relatively younger age statement yaks. As costs rise, we look to the youth to solve our problems - literally and figuratively. This Marquestau, while not highly complex, does provide a genuinely nice sipping experience with its toasted wood soup style. While it does lack something to make it "pop" in my opinion, it is something I can grab when I don't want to think and just want to drink something enjoyable and not feel guilty about what I paid.
2. Seailles 1999 51% ABV - I had the Seailles from K&L and thought "wonder what this is like at cask strength". The answer is "better". I bought the 1999 vintage as a "shipping cost" filler so that I could get some of the older vintages without paying too much per bottle in shipping. I opened the 1999 first and was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting some run of the mill barebones yak, but it has a nice light fruity profile akin to someone trying to distill gummy worms or Haribo bears. Neat.
3. Domaine d'Esperance Baco 2002 Cask #120 49% ABV - It took me a very long time to finally get on the d'Esperance band wagon due to having a hard time acquiring some; but now that I am on it, I'm locked in for the ride. This one has notes of blackberries and a light bourbony style wood providing a nice balance; but still being planted squarely in the brandy realm.
4. Flores Zuta Osa Superior Plum Brandy 42% ABV - I got my hands on older Louis Roque plum brandies and was a little bit disappointed. The age did not provide the improved flavor profile I had hoped for. I thought it was going to be another case of "older is not always better" when I tried this 8 year version of Flores Zuta Osa which seemed to lose 3% abv to those yellow wasps. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the superior was, indeed, superior to the base version. In what ways? You will just have to wait and see or find out for yourself!
5. Villa Zarri 1989 19 year Pieno Grado 59.2% ABV - This was my biggest case of "wow, this lost a lot of fruit in just 10 years" compared with its 30+ year elders. It has very fresh yellow fruit notes, and while its hotter than I'd like, I don't know if I would trade the fresh fruits for less heat. While not my preferred style, it is a nice detour from the wood soup I normally drink.

"But krin, I know you tried better stuff than this, why are you holding out on us?"

I know you want to hear about Lous Pibous, Le Freche, and Clear Creek 15 Year Old Apple Brandy. But I choose for this reflectionary period to write about things that changed my opinions and preconceived notions. It's one thing to buy something I know is good and then *surprise surprise* have it be good. But it's another thing to have your views challenged and be pleasantly surprised, for example, when a bottle you buy as "shipping cost filler" holds your interest long enough to keep coming back to. Or that you might actually prefer a distillate when its bottled younger rather than 10 years later. The world is full of surprises. And pain. but also surprises.