Nose: Rich and sweet with notes of honey, vanilla, and caramel. Taste: Creamy and smooth with flavors of ripe fruits, toffee, and a hint of oak. Palate: A long and warming finish with a touch of spice and a lingering sweetness.

This is a crisp, textured wine with an emphasis on Chardonnay. That gives the Champagne delicacy, freshness as well as a tight edge of minerality. Drink this fine cuvée now. Roger Voss

Nose: Rich and smoky with notes of peat, sea salt, and charred oak.

Taste: Full-bodied and robust, with flavors of bonfire smoke, dark chocolate, and dried fruits.

Palate: A balance of sweetness and spiciness, with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and black pepper.

Nose: The 2020 C. Ferrand Plantation Cigar Box Grands Crus Rum Collection opens with a rich and inviting aroma of dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, and sweet tobacco. Hints of vanilla and caramel add a touch of sweetness, while oak and leather notes provide depth and complexity.

Taste: On the palate, this rum delivers a harmonious blend of flavors. Rich cocoa and espresso flavors dominate, accompanied by a subtle smokiness that perfectly complements the cigar box theme. The sweetness of toffee and butterscotch emerges, balanced by a gentle spiciness of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Palate: The mouthfeel is velvety and smooth, coating the palate with a luxurious texture. The rum's complexity shines through as layers of flavors unfold, revealing a delightful interplay between the sweet and savory elements. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering warmth and a touch of dried fruit on the palate.

Dassai Mirai "Future with Farmers" is a unique Junmai Daiginjo sake from Dassai, crafted with Yamada-Nishiki rice that has been polished down to 8%. This sake is a special release, born from Dassai's commitment to supporting local farmers and sustainable practices. It uses "out-of-grade" rice that doesn't meet the size or shape requirements for top-tier sake, which allows them to reduce waste and support farmers. Despite not being classified as a Junmai Daiginjo due to the rice being ungraded, it drinks like one, offering a gentle off-sweet beginning, a smooth mouthfeel, and an elegant finish.

Glen Breton Rare 21 Year Old is a Canadian single malt whisky known for its rich and complex flavor profile. It's crafted in Nova Scotia, Canada, at the Glenora Inn & Distillery, and is aged for 21 years in American oak barrels. The whisky offers notes of toffee, apple blossom, toasted oak, and a hint of maple, with a smooth and warming finish.

A testament to its prestigious terroir, Dom Remi Jd 1Er Cru Les Genevrieres 2022 offers silky tannins interwoven with flavors of blackberry, tobacco, and graphite —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Blend: 75% Sémillon, 23% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Muscadelle
Drinking Window: 2026-2047

97 Points - Jane Anson
“Delivers texture and flesh, love the aromatics that are sweet without being heavy, this has restraint and carefully-measured fleshy fruits, nectarine, pineapple, white peaches, lime zest, gunsmoke, perfectly-judged acidities. One of the wines of the vintage, great stuff from Philippe and Aline Baly.”

Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2026-2045

96 Points - James Suckling
“Fine cocoa powder, cedar, minerals, currants and blue fruit. Juicy and medium- to full-bodied with fresh, firm tannins and a long, crunchy finish. It lingers well.”

Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2029–2055

A deeply structured and powerful Pauillac, the 2024 Lynch-Bages offers a bold expression of its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend. Expect pulpy dark fruit, signature grip, and excellent ageing potential, underscored by its brooding personality and dense tannins.

95 Points - James Suckling
"A brooding nose, showing pulpy blackberries, ripe mulberries, peppercorns and violet extract. The signature Lynch-Bages tannin structure with good concentration of fruit helps deliver an almost full-bodied, structured red and a long, fruity finish. Wait and see."

Blend: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2026–2042

A beautifully defined red with spiced blue fruit, graphite, and floral aromas. Fine-grained and structured, the 2024 offers precision, freshness, and a long, mineral finish with al dente texture.

97 Points - James Suckling
"A fresh, complex and deep nose of spiced blue fruit, waxberries, blue flowers, minerals, licorice and graphite. Full-bodied and really fine-grained, with tight, chalky tannins and a long, structured finish. Very juicy and complete, with excellent fruit definition and an al dente texture. More reactive tannins this year. 67% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot."

Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2030–2042

A sleek and polished Saint-Julien, Talbot 2024 delivers focused fruit, creamy texture, and fine tannins. Hints of chalk, berries, and chocolate emerge through its medium-bodied frame, offering early charm and mid-term cellaring potential.

94 Points - James Suckling
"Focused, dense and creamy with berries and chocolate on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Chalky, with crunchy berries and a flavorful finish."

Nose: The Worthy Park Estate 'Single Estate Reserve' Rum offers a delightful aroma of tropical fruits, with notes of ripe bananas, juicy pineapples, and sweet mangoes. There is also a hint of vanilla and caramel, adding a touch of warmth and richness to the nose.

Taste: On the palate, this rum showcases a perfect balance of flavors. The tropical fruit notes continue to shine, accompanied by a subtle spiciness that adds depth and complexity. The sweetness of the ripe fruits is complemented by hints of toffee and butterscotch, creating a luscious and indulgent taste experience.

Palate: The palate of Worthy Park Estate 'Single Estate Reserve' Rum is smooth and velvety, with a medium body that coats the mouth beautifully. The tropical fruit flavors remain prominent, while the spiciness becomes more pronounced, adding a pleasant kick. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering sweetness and a touch of oak. Overall, this rum is a true delight for those seeking a well-balanced and flavorful experience.

Peat's Beast Batch Strength Single Malt is a powerful, heavily peated Scotch from a mystery Islay distillery, known for its intense smoky, maritime, and earthy notes balanced by sweet sherry influences from its Pedro Ximénez cask finish, offering a complex palate of burnt caramel, dried fruits, spice, and lingering smoke, presented at cask strength (around 54.1% ABV) and non-chill filtered for full texture and flavor. 

Nose: The H by Hine V.S.O.P. Fine Champagne Cognac offers a delightful bouquet of floral and fruity aromas. Notes of jasmine, honeysuckle, and orange blossom intertwine with hints of ripe apricot, pear, and vanilla.

Taste: On the palate, this Cognac reveals a harmonious blend of flavors. The initial sip brings forth a burst of luscious dried fruits, including raisins and figs, accompanied by a touch of honey and caramel. Subtle spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add depth and complexity to the overall taste.

Palate: The palate is smooth and velvety, with a rich and full-bodied texture. The fruity elements persist, with the addition of a gentle oak influence that provides a pleasant balance. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering warmth and a touch of sweet vanilla on the tongue.

This is a non-chill filtered bottling. Initially, it’s perfume-centric with highly floral notes until a grain neutralizer sets in, with hints of caramel and vanilla. Cornbread, honey, and slight hints of pepper, herbs, and tobacco. Finishes short with a mouthful of lovely sweet corn pudding.

Nose: The Chateau Laballe Resistance Bas-Armagnac offers a captivating bouquet of dried fruits, including figs and dates, alongside hints of toasted almonds and vanilla. Rich aromas of dark chocolate and caramelized sugar add depth and complexity.

Taste: On the palate, this Armagnac reveals a harmonious blend of flavors. Ripe plums and raisins mingle with notes of honey and toffee, creating a luscious and indulgent experience. Subtle hints of oak and spice provide a gentle warmth and balance to the overall profile.

Palate: The palate is velvety and smooth, with a luxurious mouthfeel. The flavors of dried fruits persist, accompanied by a touch of dark chocolate and roasted nuts. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering sweetness and a touch of spice on the tongue.

What's in the bottle is a Kentucky finished for nine to 12 months in barrels that previously held Port-style California wine. Aromas of allspice, cedar and oak lead into a palate wrapped in dry tobacco, chamomile tea and leather, finishing with hints of espresso and clove. Kara Newman

Nose: Rich and aromatic with notes of caramel, vanilla, and toffee. Subtle hints of dried fruits and oak.

Taste: Smooth and velvety on the palate. Flavors of dark chocolate, honey, and roasted nuts. Slight spiciness with a touch of cinnamon and cloves.

Palate: Well-balanced and complex. Layers of flavors including caramelized sugar, dried fruits, and a touch of tobacco. Long and satisfying finish with a lingering sweetness.

Great entry level sake! Fruity and floral on the nose while it is drier on the palate. A smooth silky mouthfeel with a crisp and refreshing finish, yet its subtle sweetness is quite satisfying. Not only its aroma and flavour, but also its friendly price is reasonable for many consumers.

This is a beautiful wooden box with shimmery blue lettering that holds 3 different vintages - 2 each of 2008, 2011 and 2018. 

Valenciso (founded in 1998) may be young in years, but founders Luis Valentin and Carmen Enciso (who gave their surnames to the bodega) were already long in experience when they began. They had worked together for 28 years by the time they left Bodegas Palacio to start their own business. Valenciso seeks to make classically structured, subtle and elegantly fine wines using 100% Tempranillo grapes from low yielding old vines in the Rioja Alta. Winemaker Alicia Eyaralar uses exclusively French barriques, a third being new each year, to produce this terrific wine in very small quantities. In this box, there are two bottles each of 2008, 2011 and 2018, all scoring very high. Cherry deep colour, spicy nose, intense. There are some notes of leather, licorice and fountain pen ink, over a core of ripe berry fruit, with some spicy notes from the oak and a faint animal character. The palate is medium-bodied with some dusty, slightly rustic tannins and a dry finish.

This is a well-structured spicy wine with fresh acidity and lots of fruit. It opens with aromas of meaty red fruit, green bell pepper and peppercorn. Chalky tannins support similar notes of spices and herbs on the palate. A core of plum and blackberry adds to its complexity. It finishes with sweet notes of fruit and tobacco.

The remarkable 2021 Montrose gets my nomination for the title of "wine of the vintage" in the Médoc. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis and dark berries mingled with subtle hints of mint, orange, pencil shavings and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered and multidimensional core of fruit underpinned by beautifully ripe, refined tannins. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, it entirely transcends the limitations of the year. This young classic, reminiscent of the estate's 1996 but far better, is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Drink 2031-2065.

This wine presents enticing aromas of strawberries, rhubarb, tart cranberry, and red cherry on the nose. The palate delights with bright red apple, cranberry, and ripe strawberry flavors. With the addition of more Cabernet Franc along with Merlot, Pinot noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon than previous vintages, it achieves a beautiful light-medium body, culminating in a crisp, balanced acidity on the finish.

This classically styled blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah showcases a captivatingly pretty bottle design that complements its complex flavor profile. Bursting with vibrant red berry and pear notes, accented by nuances of lees and mushroom, this wine offers a fresh and delightful experience. Whether sipped on its own or paired with mildly spiced ribs, it promises to elevate any occasion.

Made entirely from Grenache, this lively rosé promises to add vibrancy to your table. It offers a complex palate featuring peach, apple, strawberry, tropical fruit, and savoury herb notes, all balanced by a crisp and elegant mouthfeel. This poised and generous wine pairs beautifully with Tuscan-style grilled trout, showcasing its buoyancy and balance.

This rum boasts a rich and complex flavor profile, featuring delightful notes of tropical fruits, warm spices, oak, and vanilla. Highly esteemed among rum enthusiasts, it is best enjoyed as a smooth sipping experience, offering a luxurious taste that epitomizes exceptional quality.

Fukumitsuya’s traditional Junmai (often featured under the Fukumasamune brand) is a, pure, classic, and versatile sake from Kanazawa’s oldest brewery (est. 1625). It is known for a well-balanced profile, offering rich, savory umami with a clean, light aftertaste. It is designed to be enjoyed with food, served chilled, at room temperature, or warmed.

A hearty waft of virgin coconut oil wakes up the senses before the glass reaches the mouth. Warm and sugary, the somewhat weighty body bursts with flavors of sweetened coconut flakes and toasted coconut cookies. Sweet but not cloying

Nose: Rich and aromatic with notes of honey, vanilla, and dried fruits.

Taste: Smooth and velvety, with flavors of caramel, toffee, and a hint of spice.

Palate: Full-bodied and well-balanced, with a lingering finish of oak and a touch of smoke.

Nose: Rich and fruity with notes of ripe peaches, apricots, and honey. Subtle hints of vanilla and oak.

Taste: Smooth and creamy with flavors of sweet white grapes, honeydew melon, and a touch of citrus. Slight spiciness with a gentle warmth.

Palate: Delicate and well-balanced. Creamy mouthfeel with a luscious sweetness. The white port cask finish adds a unique depth and complexity, enhancing the fruity and honeyed character.

Mars Shinshu Iwai Tradition is a 75% malt and 25% grain blended Japanese whisky from the high-altitude Nagano distillery, aged in bourbon, sherry, and wine casks. It offers a complex, soft, and, balanced flavor profile featuring ripe cherry, honey, toffee, and ginger spice with a subtle, smoky finish.