Z Tequila’s recipe requires mature agave plants between seven and nine years old. After the agave is fermented, the juice is distilled in short column stills. The finished product is either bottled as Z Blanco Tequila or put into new Canadian white oak barrels to age (this is different than the industry standard of aging tequilas in used whiskey barrels). The Reposado is aged for nine months in oak, while the Anejo matures for 21 months before bottling.

Z Blanco Tequila is crystal clear, fresh and agave forward, with light grassy notes and a hint of sweetness. It’s very smooth with almost no fire. A slight peppery bite brings it home, and it finishes short and clean. 80 proof / $30

Z Reposado Tequila pours a very light straw color in the glass. It’s spicy on the nose, with some oak and white pepper leading the way. Drink up to taste more spice and some floral notes, different than the vanilla and caramel found in many reposados. It’s earthy and complex, with more wood influences than the color indicates. The finish is long and warm. 80 proof / $32

Z Anejo Tequila is shimmering gold-to-amber in the glass and has the sweetest nose of the three expressions. The 21 months in oak impart some vanilla and butterscotch flavors, and there’s a background of cooked agave and spices. The mouthfeel is more viscous than the blanco and reposado, and the lingering finish is dry and spicy. 80 proof / $34

Founded in 2008, the Austin-based Pepe Zevada brand is still in its infancy, with the majority of adoption being in Texas. But it’s doing some good things, and Z Tequila enjoyed recent success at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, where the blanco took home a double gold medal. If you find yourself in Texas, or if Z Tequila hits store shelves near you, consider scoring a bottle for yourself. The liquid’s worth drinking, and the price point’s just right.

Like that? Drink this:
- Espolon Reposado Tequila Review
- Avion Silver Tequila Review
- Milagro Anejo Tequila Review

Bulleit Bourbon traces its roots back to the 1830s, when founder Augustus Bulleit first produced the whiskey in Kentucky. After his untimely disappearance, production ceased, and the market was Bulleit-less until 1987, when great-great-grandson Tom Bulleit stepped in to revive the family legacy. For many years it was only distilled in tiny batches, mostly for family and friends, until it was officially relaunched in 1999. It remained a relatively difficult-to-find whiskey until joining the Diageo portfolio. Bulleit is now distributed in all 50 states and is a fixture in many bars. The company even launched Bulleit Rye in early 2011.

Bulleit Bourbon is distilled and aged for at least six years, and it’s famous for its high rye content. While most bourbons contain just 10 to 12 percent rye grains, Bulleit Bourbon is comprised of 28 percent rye, which accounts for its bold and spicy character. Before bottling, the final 90 proof product is formulated by mingling two or three distillates to ensure consistency in taste and aroma.

On the nose, Bulleit Bourbon is full of oaky char, vanilla and rye. Take a sip to find flavors of caramel, vanilla, honey and smoke. There’s a definite spicy bite, but coming from the rye grains, it’s complex and flavorful, rather than hot and alcoholic. It finishes smooth and mellow, with traces of honey and baking spices.

Bulleit Bourbon is a heavier, more complex bourbon than many of its similarly-priced competitors. It doesn’t have the sweet, easy-going nature of, say, Maker’s Mark, but that’s why we like it so much. It’s a bold, spicy bourbon that walks the line between wild and elegant. It’s a solid choice for sipping neat – though an ice cube doesn’t hurt – and its upfront character stands up in cocktails (even traditional rye drinks), where it won’t be overwhelmed by additions like sweet vermouth or ginger beer.

Stats:
- 45% Alcohol by Volume
- $25

Like that? Drink this:
- Jefferson’s Bourbon Review
- Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Review
- Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon

Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum clocks in at 94.6 proof, well above the 70 proof original. It’s geared toward those who prefer bolder sipping spirits like whiskey and want a spiced rum that delivers more flavor while standing up in cocktails.

Captain Morgan Black is produced from Caribbean blackstrap rum and other ingredients like clove spice and cassia bark. After distillation, it’s finished in double charred blackened oak, which smoothes out the spice and adds a more discernible oaky note than the original. It’s less sweet, but still offers plenty of clove and cinnamon spice, plus lots of oaky vanilla. The flavor varies considerably from the sugary 70 proof version, which is good, because simply offering a higher proof spirit would be redundant, given the brand’s already-available 100 proof Captain Morgan 100.

In addition to drinking it straight or on the rocks, Captain Morgan Black hopes to find its way into more elevated cocktails like the Old Fashioned. We’ll see if that takes hold, or if consumers continue to associate the Captain Morgan brand as a mixer for Coke and ginger ale.

Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum is available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $21.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Have you tried it yet? If yes, let’s hear your thoughts.

Like that? Drink this:
- The Lash Spiced Rum Review
- Blackbeard Spiced Rum Review
- Malibu Red

Rum is definitely a product of “terroir.” The raw ingredients and the soil in which they’re grown affect the final product just like distillation, blending and aging.

All that’s a long introduction to our latest review – Rhum Clément Premiere Canne, a Martinique-produced Rhum Agricole.

Rhum Clément was established in 1887 and continues to produce a solid line of Rhum Agricoles, including the unaged Premiere Canne Blanc and a handful of aged spirits. Rhum Clément Premiere Canne is vegetal and grassy on the nose. Drink up to find an earthy, complex mix of flavors ranging from chocolate to orange peels to burnt sugar. The grassy notes remain throughout the tasting experience, and it finishes very dry.

Rhum Clément, and all agricole rums, taste far different than your average Caribbean-style white rum. The usual molasses is replaced with vegetal notes, and it’s much less sweet than other rums, which means that drinkers might not even recognize this as rum. But if you’re into rhum agricole, this is a good one.

While it can certainly be consumed straight, rhum agricole finds more use in cocktails, like the classic ‘Ti Punch, which is the national cocktail of Martinique. It’s delicious and very easy to make, as it combines just three simple ingredients — rhum agricole, lime and cane syrup.

If you’re in the market for cane syrup, Rhum Clément makes a great one. Their Sirop de Canne adds a sweet and spicy flavor note to ‘Ti Punch that pairs well with the earthy rhum agricole.

‘Ti Punch

1.5 oz rhum agricole
1 barspoon cane syrup
1 lime

Cut a thick lime disc so there’s plenty of zest. Add lime disk to a rocks glass, and pour cane syrup on top. Muddle. Add rhum agricole, then add a few ice cubes and stir.

Rhum Clément products are available in more than 65 countries worldwide. The 80-proof Rhum Clément Première Canne retails for about $30.

Like that? Drink this:
- Denizen Rum Review
- Caliche Rum

Dive into Eagle Rare Single Barrel for aromas of toasted bread, vanilla, charcoal and almonds. Take a sip to find a very rich, oily mouthfeel and lots of oak that surfaces with sweet caramel and dry resin. Dried fruits, leather and cocoa hit mid palate, and then the finish: it’s very peppery with lots of baking spices, but a honeyed background keeps things in check. The finish lasts seemingly forever.

That’s one serious whiskey. It hits all the typical bourbon notes, but adds another layer of depth. That complex, assertive and intense nature takes it beyond your usual suspects. And that alluring play between spicy and sweet keeps us coming back for more.

Plus, the price is just right.

Stats:
- 45% Alcohol by Volume
- $25-30

Like that? Drink this:
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon
- Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon
- Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon

Malibu Red was created in partnership with singer/songwriter Ne-Yo. It’s becoming increasingly popular for an entertainer to back a spirits brand. Take Ludacris’ Conjure Cognac, for instance, or Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Tequila. Then of course, there’s Toby Keith’s terrible Wild Shot Mezcal. The good ones can exist independently of their celebrity endorser, while the bad ones (looking at you, Wild Shot) stick a worm in the bottle and set the category back twenty years. But back to Malibu Red…

Combining tequila with Barbados Rum and coconut extract is, theoretically, a difficult idea to grasp. Obviously, the market hasn’t demanded such a product. But when you’re backed by a celebrity – and muddling flavored rum with tequila – you’re clearly pushing the lifestyle angle more than what’s inside the bottle. So it’s with some trepidation that we cracked open our bottle of Malibu Red.

On the nose, there’s sweet coconut with a hint of pepper and agave. Take a sip and taste more of the tequila, which stands apart from the sugary coconut, almost like two drinks in one. The mouthfeel is viscous, and there’s an off-putting medicinal note that creeps out toward the finish. Overall, it’s a muddy mess of flavors, with neither the rum nor the tequila standing out.

That said, its sweetness, mixed with a mild tequila bite, might prove popular as a chilled shot or blended with simple mixers. Clearly the brand is targeting the nightclub space rather than the tequila or rum connoisseur. Malibu’s brand cache, plus the collaboration with Ne-Yo, has already resulted in lots of buzz, so we’ll see if Malibu Red catches hold and thrives.

Aside from the celebrity endorsement, Malibu Red has another thing going for it: zero competition in the rum/tequila/coconut space.

Stats:
- 35% Alcohol by Volume
- $16.99

More liquor reviews

Of course, the intricate production process is no guarantee that the tequila’s any good, so let’s take it for a spin.

On the nose, Clase Azul Plata Tequila is mostly pepper and vanilla – smooth and easy-going. The aroma doesn’t hint at what’s next, because on the palate it’s exceptionally sweet, with lots more vanilla, plus caramel and pineapple notes. The agave takes a back seat, but there’s an earthy nuttiness that comes through mid palate. The mouthfeel is very rich and viscous, and the sweetness lingers seemingly forever.

This is weird stuff. The flavor is actually pretty good, but it’s not what we’re looking for in a tequila. The agave is almost completely absent from this one, which is odd considering tequila is an ingredient-driven spirit full of terroir. But again, it’s tasty stuff. If your personal taste preferences lean toward sweet, then Clase Azul Plata might be the tequila for you. But if you prefer your blancos with agave and spice, then the sugary qualities will seem too heavy-handed.

Design wise, the Clase Azul bottle is more than 15 inches tall and too large to fit on many back bars and home liquor cabinets, and the large rubber cork topper is ill-fitting and unwieldy. It’s a very pretty bottle though, if you can look past the phallic likeness.

Stats:
- 40% Alcohol by Volume
- $70

Like that? Drink this:
- Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila
- Avion Silver Tequila
- Espolon Blanco Tequila

On the nose, it’s lush and perfumy, with the fruit hiding behind that big, brash dose of Turkish rose. Take a sip and you’ll find some of that fruit, including a nice hint of citrus mingling with the sweet peaches. It finishes clean and dry, but the flower petals linger on the tongue for close to 10 minutes. It’s certainly an aromatic, flavorful gin, but Nolet’s was perhaps a bit too heavy handed with the roses. That said, the unique botanicals do give the drinker plenty of opportunities for crafting cocktails.

Nolet’s “Cupboard to Cocktail” program encourages bartenders and home enthusiasts to consider ingredients found in their cabinets, which can be utilized all year long. First up, Nolet’s recommends sour cherry marmalade in this riff on the Old Fashioned.

Nolet’s Silver New Fashioned

2 oz Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin
2 tsp. sour cherry marmalade
2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Shake all ingredients with ice, then strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

That’s a pretty nice drink. The sour cherry marmalade itself is delicious (nice call, Nolet’s), and the marmalade plays well with the gin’s floral characteristics. We still contend that Nolet’s floral makeup is overly done, but it provides an interesting application in cocktails that can’t be replicated with traditional-style gins. And with that, we look forward to sampling Nolet’s next Cupboard to Cocktail recommendation.

Stats:
- 47.6% Alcohol by Volume
- $50

Like that? Drink this:
- Bulldog Gin Review
- Caorunn Gin Review
- Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin

Greenhook Ginsmiths hopes to offer consumers new, accessible gins with more taste and character than what’s currently on the market. To achieve this, the distillery utilizes a unique method that diminishes the atmospheric pressure in the still. As a result, Greenhook Ginsmiths is able to reduce the temperature of the distillation environment to about 132 degrees, which is nearly 40 degrees below the normal alcohol distillation temperature. This is supposed to result in a more  aromatic and pristine spirit that captures the raw integrity of the botanicals. Let’s see how they did.

Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin is fragrant and floral on the nose, with a nice mix of juniper and chamomile. On the palate it’s crisp and smooth, with lots of fresh juniper and spicy coriander, plus a distinctly sweet kick of elderflower. The flavors move toward citrus, including intense notes of orange – almost like orange blossom water – and subtle hints of ginger. It finishes clean and dry, with lingering notes of elderflower.

That’s an interesting gin. “American Dry Gin” is a good categorization, as it’s a far cry from London Dry style gins. Fortunately, its floral elements remain fresh and aromatic without that unpleasant perfume note that comes through on certain gins. It’s exceedingly easy to sip neat, and its unique flavor profile should prove interesting in cocktails, especially those utilizing fruit juices, aromatic bitters and aromatized wines.

The Greenhook Ginsmith’s flagship American Dry Gin is now available to New Yorkers at local liquor stores, while others can purchase the product online. Later this spring, look for the company’s Beach Plum Gin Liqueur, which is a variation of English Sloe Gin. And this fall, the busy distillery is expected to release a seasonal gin as well as an Old Tom Gin.

Stats:
- 47% Alcohol by Volume
- $32

Like that? Drink this:
- Bluecoat Gin Review
- Death’s Door Gin Review
- Caorunn Gin Review

In producing Caurunn Gin, neutral grain spirit is vaporized in a 1920s-era copper berry chamber. The botanicals are infused into the spirit, lending their unique flavors and aromatics to the gin. From there, Caorunn is cut with pure Scottish Highland water sourced from the surrounding springs.

All that results in a crisp, dry gin that’s fresh and floral, with lots of citrus and spice on the nose. Take a sip to find flavors of juniper and sweet heather, plus a background of coriander and a fruity component that we’ll assume is rowan berry. It remains very easy to hold on the palate, with a medium-bodied mouthfeel that finishes clean and dry.

Not bad for a whisky-making country. Caorunn’s interesting blend of botanicals lend some fun nuance to the gin, but it’s actually quite traditional in flavor and aroma. If you like London Dry style gins, you’ll probably like Caorunn, though it does play a bit softer than its English cousins.

Caorunn is smooth enough to be sipped straight, but with all gins, it will likely find more use in cocktails. The brand recommends pairing Caorunn with a slice of red apple. We’d second that recommendation, as we just mixed a simple gin and tonic, complete with red apple, to good results.

For now, Caorunn’s availability is limited to the UK and a few select U.S. markets. If you can’t find it near you, consider buying online.

Stats:
- 41.8% Alcohol by Volume
- $35

Like that? Drink this:
- Citadelle Gin Review
- Death’s Door Gin Review
- Bluecoat Gin Review