Kara Newman

Spirits Editor

Kara Newman is the Spirits Editor for Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and author of Cocktails for a Crowd (coming in Spring 2013) and Spice & Ice: 60 tongue-tingling cocktails, both from Chronicle Books. An active member of the New York cocktail and mixology scene, she loves dive bars and speakeasies alike.

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Don Weber Extra Añejo

Price $60

Double distilled and aged for a full three years, this golden extra añejo mixes honey, pepper and herbal notes, winding into a peppy menthol finish. — K.N. (5/1/2013)

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OniliKan Aguardiente de Mango

Online Exclusive

Price $35

Distilled from mango, this clear aguardiente, or “firewater,” has a light mango scent and a super-light, teasing mix of fruity, briny and peppery notes. — K.N. (5/1/2013)

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Downslope Distilling Ould Tom Citrus Flavored Gin

Price $35

Cocktail history buffs will want to get their hands on this bottle, stat. Made in the lightly sweetened Old Tom style, this golden gin lends itself to classic Martinez or Tom Collins cocktails. Barrel aged for three months, this soft, buttery gin features honey and pear flavors, sprinkled with brown sugar, cinnamon bark and honey notes. It’s even mellow enough to… — K.N. (4/1/2013)

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Greenall’s London Dry Gin

Best Buy

Price $15

Smooth, crisp and well balanced, this is a martini-worthy gin. Despite the nearly neutral aroma, look for big juniper, lemon peel and coriander flavors on the palate. — K.N. (4/1/2013)

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Flight 69 Gin

Price $32

Distilled from California grapes, this intriguing, fruity and floral gin finishes smooth and clean, and it offers hints of black pepper and vanilla on the finish. This would make a good addition to a Negroni. — K.N. (4/1/2013)

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No. 3 London Dry Gin

Price $40

Fresh and aromatic, this traditional London dry style gin offers juniper, coriander, grapefruit peel and anise notes. It’s versatile and well suited for making gin and tonics. It comes in a distinctive squared-off bottle with a metal key that’s embedded in the dark green glass. — K.N. (4/1/2013)

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Bloom Premium London Dry Gin

Price $30

Between the name and the pale-green bottle that features a tactile vine overlay, you’d anticipate a superfloral flavor profile. Fortunately, the chamomile and sweet honeysuckle notes are subtle, woven with delicate juniper, grapefruit peel and coriander accents. The finish is dry and well structured. — K.N. (4/1/2013)

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Greenhook Ginsmiths Beach Plum Liqueur

Price $32

Inspired by England’s sloe gin and made with beach plums from Long Island, New York, this gin has round, sweet and tart flavors, with an earthy cinnamon touch on the finish. With its distinctive dark-cherry-juice color and aroma, this lends itself to making fizzes and other cocktails. It’s distilled from cane sugar, but it’s not supersweet. — K.N. (4/1/2013)

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2010 Buehler Estate

A pretty, polished and tasty wine for drinking now. Made from 100%…

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