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The latest wine, spirit and beer reviews that did not appear in print.

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• • 83
  • $70

  Jura 16 Year Old

  1. Appellation: Scotland (UK)

  Maple syrup color, soft feel, vegetal scent, caramel finish. Would have scored higher if not for an off-putting and pervasive resin-like flavor.  — K.N.  (12/15/2011)  — 83
• • 85
  • $20

  Brugal Ron Anejo

  1. Appellation: Dominican Republic

  Made with rums aged two to five years. Look for a honey-colored spirit with a light, silky feel, balanced alcohol, and vanilla and resin notes on the finish.  — K.N.  (12/1/2011)  — 85
• • 86
  • $80

  Glenmorangie Astar

  1. Appellation: Scotland (UK)

  At heart, this is a lovely and delicate Scotch, from its fresh, lightly floral scent to the lingering crème brûlée and hazelnut finish. But its delicacy is buried under a mountain of alcohol. Even with copious amounts of water, it’s remarkably hot.  — K.N.  (12/15/2011)  — 86
• • 86
  • $30

  Brugal Extra Viejo

  1. Appellation: Dominican Republic

  Blending rums aged between three and eight years yields an amber spirit with a mild scent and light body, with notes of vanilla and cassia bark on the finish. Works well mixed with ginger beer in a Dark & Stormy-style drink.  — K.N.  (12/1/2011)  — 86
• • 86
  • $80

  Auchentoshan 1998 Vintage

  1. Appellation: Scotland (UK)

  Sherry-cask maturation shows in the rich, buttery caramel scent and big caramel and nut flavor. This spirit has so much flavor and promise, but it’s marred by excess alcohol. Even well diluted, it still stings going down.  — K.N.  (12/15/2011)  — 86
• • 86
  • $53

  Jura Superstition

  1. Appellation: Scotland (UK)

  “Superstition” is billed as the sweet and delicate one in the Jura line, but it’s surprisingly aggressive with the smoke. It starts out mild, with a warm peaty and vegetal scent, a smooth feel and, at first, just a wash of smokiness followed by a mellow caramel finish. But then the smoke reverberates with a vengeance, and it’s just altogether too much.  — K.N.  (12/15/2011)  — 86
• • 87
  • $15

  Flor de Caña Extra Dry 4 Year Old

  1. Appellation: Nicaragua

  Resembling cachaça, this clear aged rum has a coconutty aroma and a sweet flavor with a marshmallow finish.  — K.N.  (12/1/2011)  — 87
• • 87
  • $18

  Cockspur Fine Rum

  1. Appellation: Barbados

  The color of apple juice, this rum has a warm, fruity scent and a light smokiness. Although boozy up front, that fades out to a pleasing tropical fruit and sweet vanilla finish. Glug the bottle into a punch to smooth out the rough edges.  — K.N.  (12/1/2011)  — 87
• • 87
  • $1,300

  The Dalmore The 1981 Amoroso

  1. Appellation: Scotland (UK)

  A honey-colored spirit finished in Sherry casks, with a beautiful sweet aroma of dried fruit and vanilla. On the palate, the flavor is sweet as well, showing peach nectar, caramel, spicy clove and ginger. It’s better lightened with water, as the peachiness becomes less intense. Yes, the retail price for this extremely limited offering Scotch (fewer than 500 bottles produced) really is skyward of $1,000.  — K.N.  (12/15/2011)  — 87
• • 88
  • $35

  Plantation Rum Panama, 2000 Vintage

  1. Appellation: Panama

  This Cognac-finished Panama rum has an earthy, herbaceous scent mixed with banana and vanilla tones. It reads on the sweet side, flashing a vegetal note and a complex finish inflected with caramel, orange peel and bitter chocolate.  — K.N.  (12/1/2011)  — 88