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Wine, spirit and beer reviews from the February 1 2012 issue.

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• • 86
  • $7

  Stone Old Guardian BELGO Barley Wine Style Ale 2011 Odd Year Release

  1. Appellation: California, United States of America

  This beer’s original, but it doesn’t work as well as one would hope. The pour is attractive, with a vibrant amber-brown color, and the nose expresses nice aromas of orange, toasted apple, soft caramel and a touch of spice. The mouth, however, is a bit disjointed and confusing, with a traditional barleywine profile one moment and then a strange vegetal mustiness with dried sweet spice the next.  — L.B.  (2/1/2012)  — 86
• • 87
  • $25

  Angel d’Or

  1. Appellation: United States of America

  From the sun-soaked isle of Majorca comes this pale-straw liqueur with a light orange blossom fragrance. On the palate, it doesn’t read as orange. Instead, this sweet, syrupy spirit warms with flavors of apple, pear and a touch of almond.  — K.N.  (2/1/2012)  — 87
• • 87
  • $3

  Stone Collaborations 2011 Bruery/Elysian/Stone La Citrueille Céleste de Citracado

  1. Appellation: California, United States of America

  This ale, a play on a traditional pumpkin beer, is brewed with somewhat of a kitchen sink of ingredients: pumpkin, yam, toasted fenugreek, lemon verbena and birch bark. And while the trio on this collaboration is stellar as always, this beer is just a bit strange and jarring as all of the flavors fight for recognition on the nose and mouth. It’s a nice alternative to those cloyingly sweet pumpkin beers, with more nuanced notes of starchy gourds laced with fresh savory herbs and an earthy lemon-pepper spice.  — L.B.  (2/1/2012)  — 87
• • 88
  • $22

  Agavero Orange Liqueur

  1. Appellation: Mexico

  Made with silver Tequila and agave nectar, this liqueur is a natural match for margaritas. Juicy sweet-orange scent. At first powerfully sweet, the flavor finishes refreshingly clean, with a tingle of pepperiness.  — K.N.  (2/1/2012)  — 88
• • 89
  • $28

  Mathilde Orange XO

  1. Appellation: France

  Like some Cognacs, this Cognac-based liqueur needs a little time to open up for maximum aroma and flavor. But don’t expect a Cognac flavor—instead, this is all about the fruit. Expect a bitter-marmalade scent and a honeyed orange flavor with a kick of allspice on the finish.  — L.B.  (2/1/2012)  — 89
• • 89
  • $34

  Kappa Pisco

  1. Appellation: Chile

  A newcomer to the Pisco scene, created by a scion of the Lapostolle Wines family. The spirit is distinctly sweet and floral, but it’s the sexy midnight-blue bottle with white stars and clear panels that truly attracts attention.  — K.N.  (2/1/2012)  — 89
• • 89
  • $9

  Karl Strauss Two Tortugas Holiday Quadruple Ale

  1. Appellation: California, United States of America

  This winter seasonal release from Karl Strauss is deep and complex, perfect for those chilly nights with friends. Caramel malts, softly resinous hops, plum and raisined fruit fill the nose, and follow through to the somewhat thin mouth with a slightly slick sweetness of mulled berry syrup and candied sugar. There’s a definite warmth to the brew, with earthy whole spice and black pepper flavors on the finish that augment it.  — L.B.  (2/1/2012)  — 89
• • 90
  • $11

  21st Amendment Special Edition Allies Win The War! Ale Brewed With Dates

  1. Appellation: California, United States of America

  21st Amendment is known for producing original and creatively named brews, and this Special Edition selection is no exception. There’s a distinct sweetness to the nose, but it’s kept in check with similarly assertive citric hop aromas. Notes of red fruit, sweet dough, orange peel, candied ginger and sweet spice add interest to the round and satisfying mouth. Overall, very well balanced with surprisingly brisk carbonation to keep things lively.  — L.B.  (2/1/2012)  — 90
• • 90
  • $16

  di Amore Quattro Orange Liqueur

  1. Appellation: Italy

  This clear, perfumy spirit has a bright aroma of fresh orange and lemon peels. Though very sweet on the palate, with most of the orange on the juicy Creamsicle finish, a bit of alcohol braces it up. Thick, luxurious feel.  — K.N.  (2/1/2012)  — 90
• • 90
  • $12

  Deschutes The Stoic Belgian-Styled Quad

  1. Appellation: Oregon, United States of America

  Another complex brew from Deschutes, this Quad is brewed with pomegranate and has 16.5% aged in oak wine barrels and 16.5% aged in oak rye whiskey barrels. Sounds crazy, right? Well, it kinda is. The nose is complex and heady, its warmth heightened by sweet spice and vanilla notes as well as some green apple and floral accents. The earthiness continues in the full mouth, with flavors of pomegranate, baking spice and soft banana lingering through the finish.  — L.B.  (2/1/2012)  — 90