Wine Spectator 91 points – Hints of smoke and spice underscore flavors of poached pear and white raspberry in this delicate, aperitif-style Champagne, with a lacy mousse. Crisp and lightly citrusy. Drink now through 2021. 50,000 cases made. -AN.November/2017Wine Advocate 90 points – Aromas of green apple, golden orchard fruit, fresh pastry, marzipan and warm bread introduce the latest rendition of Taittinger’s NV Brut La Francaise, a cuvee that contains some 30% reserve wines and sees three years sur lattes. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, fleshy but incisive, with a generous core of fruit, tangy acids and a delicately chalky finish. Disgorgement dates aren’t indicated on the label, but it’s generally a very consistent bottling..August/2019James Suckling 90 points – This has a bright array of peach and citrus fruits in addition to gentle toast. It’s fresh and bright, but with a chalky edge. The palate’s pitched into a bold statement of stone fruits, berries and citrus. The acid and dosage are all balanced in favor of flavor. Drink now..October/2016 | Taittinger Brut Reserve is a blend of Chardonnay wines (40%) and Pinot wines (60%) from 40 different vineyards and matured to perfection. Such a high proportion of Chardonnay is seldom found among the great champagnes. | An elegantly fresh and delicate Champagne blended from a high proportion of Chardonnay grapes to yield a refined flavor palette of pear and stone fruits offset by warm, yeasty notes and hints of breadcrust.

Wine Spectator 91 points – Hints of smoke and spice underscore flavors of poached pear and white raspberry in this delicate, aperitif-style Champagne, with a lacy mousse. Crisp and lightly citrusy. Drink now through 2021. 50,000 cases made. -AN.November/2017Wine Advocate 90 points – Aromas of green apple, golden orchard fruit, fresh pastry, marzipan and warm bread introduce the latest rendition of Taittinger’s NV Brut La Francaise, a cuvee that contains some 30% reserve wines and sees three years sur lattes. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, fleshy but incisive, with a generous core of fruit, tangy acids and a delicately chalky finish. Disgorgement dates aren’t indicated on the label, but it’s generally a very consistent bottling..August/2019James Suckling 90 points – This has a bright array of peach and citrus fruits in addition to gentle toast. It’s fresh and bright, but with a chalky edge. The palate’s pitched into a bold statement of stone fruits, berries and citrus. The acid and dosage are all balanced in favor of flavor. Drink now..October/2016 | Taittinger Brut Reserve is a blend of Chardonnay wines (40%) and Pinot wines (60%) from 40 different vineyards and matured to perfection. Such a high proportion of Chardonnay is seldom found among the great champagnes. | An elegantly fresh and delicate Champagne blended from a high proportion of Chardonnay grapes to yield a refined flavor palette of pear and stone fruits offset by warm, yeasty notes and hints of breadcrust.

Ultimate Beverage Challenge 90 points – Ultimate Beverage Challenge.March/2011 | Our distillery in Russia produces the highest quality spirit possible by removing all of the volatile “heads” and oily “tails”. This “narrow cut” is the purest alcohols from the heart of the run. The amount of heads and tails that Stoli Vodka throws away is up to 4 times greater than most other European distilleries. This tight control of the cut allows us to distill just 3 times, and filter just 4 times with the benefit that we retain the subtle taste and character of the fine Russian wheat. | Plump ripe berries lead on the nose, with blueberry, black currant and lemon fruits, and to the back, a medicinal hint of juniper. Stoli Blueberi offfers a mouth fell that is smooth and creamy, with a buttery grain character and an aromatic nose of eucalyptus.

Ultimate Beverage Challenge 87 points – Warm aromas of baked apples and pears are filled with vanilla, raisins and cinnamon. The sweetness on the palate is like ripe juicy pears rather than confected. Long lasting and intense cinnamon, clove and vanilla fill the mouth..March/2017 | St. George Fruit Liqueurs have an impeccable pedigree: They begin as our flagship pear and raspberry brandy, to which we add luscious fruit juice.This brings down the proof (from 40% alcohol by volume to 20% alcohol by volume) and transforms our crystal clear brandies into jewel-toned liqueurs. | Both elegant and earthy, this luscious liqueur has all the complexity of a perfectly ripe Bartlett pear. Cinnamon and clove add a warm touch of spice.

Wine Enthusiast 88 points – The aroma is nearly neutral, with a mild sweetness that’s echoed on the palate, where it suggests light almond and coconut tones layered with a faint charcoal note. Finishes with a fiery burst of cayenne and cinnamon heat..Kara Newman, April/2017 |

| 57% ABV (50% by weight, or 100 English proof) was the traditional strength required by the British Royal Navy. At this proof a spill of the spirits would not prevent gunpowder from igniting. As important, this degree of concentration provided an efficiency in conveyance on board and onward to trading partners far away. Navy Strength should not be confused with Navy Rum, which was for over 200 years a daily ration in the British Royal Navy, and traditionally composed of rums principally from Guyana, also Jamaica and Barbados. | Through the 19th century and into the earlier 20th century, Jamaica Rum was revered for its deep full flavors and pleasing aromas. In this era, rum fell into three general classes, Local Trade Quality, Export Trade Quality (mainly an ester-intensive “High Continental” style for the German market), and Home Trade Quality for UK (and US) consumption. In the mid 20th century appeared the more familiar “Common Clean” light and/or sweeter styles on offer today, made with the column-still product introduced in the late 1950s. The heavier bodied Wedderburn and medium bodied Plummer styles were made with a combination of the molasses, skimmings, cane juice, and syrup bottoms from sugar production, and the dunder of the previous rum production. A Jamaica tradition has been the use of wild yeasts indigenous to the region in the fermentation process, which is arguably a major contributor to the special body and flavor. The end result is a rum of tremendous and local character. | The great tradition of this style is reflected in the famous drink recipes that call specifically for Jamaica rum. Make no mistake, this is not a sipping rum by contemporary standards. Upon initial pour, allow a minute to open up before tasting. We suggest exploring the profile first in the Jamaica Rum Daquiri (see sidebar) and from there to other classics.

Wine Enthusiast 88 points – The aroma is nearly neutral, with a mild sweetness that’s echoed on the palate, where it suggests light almond and coconut tones layered with a faint charcoal note. Finishes with a fiery burst of cayenne and cinnamon heat..Kara Newman, April/2017 |