Laird's
12-Year-Old Rare Apple Brandy
Batch No. 7
(USA)
44% abv, $50.
SUPERB / Highly Recommended
Smells appealingly of baked apple, nutmeg, oak, and pine. Wonderful palate entry tastes of raisins, dates, apple pastry, pineapple and maple. Finishes gracefully and assertively tart.

Grand Marnier
Cuvée du Centenaire
Triple Orange Liqueur
(France)
40% abv, $100.
CLASSIC / Highest Recommendation
The palate is balanced between the citric acid, alcohol, Cognac and wood, with the Cognac always prevailing. Concludes with finesse, a sweet-sour presence, and an incredibly lush texture.

Agavero
El Original Licor de Tequila
(Mexico)
32% abv, $30.
SUPERB / Highly Recommended
The bouquet smells enticingly of agave, flowers, and citrus rind. The palate entry features tastes of honey, Tequila, black pepper and citrus. Finishes cleanly, with delicately sweet notes of honey and sap.

Pagès Verveine Velay Extra
Liqueur
(France)
40% abv, $60.
SUPERB / Highly Recommended
The aroma is floral, herbal and root-like with elegant scents of flowers, and spices. The palate entry is herbal and almost sour; at the midpalate there are melded flavors of mint, sage, fennel, quinine, thyme and honey. Concludes more sweet than sour and delicately herbal/rooty. Lovely and elegant.

PAMA
California Pomegranate Juice,
Tequila and Vodka Liqueur
(New Zealand)
17% abv, $25.
SUPERB / Highly Recommended
The bouquet is appealing, ripe, fruity and berry-like. The palate entry is pomegranate-like, extremely sour, acidic and tart; the midpalate is less aggressive and riper. Finishes tart, amazingly clean, and ripe. A wonderful cocktail ingredient.

Killepitsch Kräuter
Herbal Bitter Liqueur
(Germany)
42% abv, $25.
SUPERB / Highly Recommended
The fetching bouquet is anything but bitter with floral and fruity notes with scents of black pepper, parchment, and kale. The palate entry is sweet and cherry cola-like; at midpalate the berry/red fruit character comes to the fore. Finishes satiny smooth, ropey in texture and almost like chocolate orange. Very nice. Best Buy.

Paolucci Amaro Ciociaro
Liqueur
(Italy)
30% abv, $13.
SUPERB / Highly Recommended
The vibrant, bittersweet bouquet is citrusy, herbal, floral and earthy. The palate entry is bittersweet, intensely herbal and earthy but refreshingly orange citrusy; the tasty midpalate is marked by heightened sweetness and a more mineral/seed-like core flavor. Finish is savory and bittersweet. Best Buy.

Starbucks Cream Liqueur
(USA)
15% abv, $23.
SUPERB / Highly Recommended
The toasted bouquet features nuts, burnt toast, cashews and cream. The palate entry is divinely creamy and only moderately sweet; the midpalate stage highlights the sweet buttery cream and café au lait. Finishes satiny smooth, creamy and luscious. Best Buy.