LALO Tequila was one of the first bottles Crystal and Roger ever reviewed on The Liquor Connoisseur — and it's the one that set the standard. Named after the founder's grandfather Eduardo "Lalo" Gonzalez, LALO Blanco is a 100% Blue Weber Agave tequila with zero additives. It's made at one of Mexico's most storied distilleries (NOM 1146), home to the legendary El Tesoro brand. Bright agave, citrus, and white pepper on the palate with a clean, lingering finish. This is tequila

Remy Martin V is not your grandmother's brandy. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review Remy Martin V — a clear, unaged eau-de-vie made from 100% fine Champagne Cognac grapes. Bottled at 40% ABV with no aging and no color, Remy V is light, fresh, and surprisingly refreshing — the perfect spirit for warm weather cocktails. Think floral notes, fresh grape, and a clean finish that plays beautifully in a spritz or mixed drink. If you've written off bra

Tequila Tromba is on a mission to make great tequila and heal the planet at the same time. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger sit down with Katy O'Donnell, VP of Brand Development at Tromba, to taste through an incredible lineup including the massive 3.75-liter "Big Tromba" Blanco, the exclusive 48% ABV "Beast Mode" Reposado created with Marshawn Lynch, the elegant Tromba Añejo, and Cafeto — a revolutionary cold-extracted Mexican coffee liqueur. Beyo

Blackland Distillery in Fort Worth, Texas is making grain-to-glass whiskey that belongs in any serious conversation about American bourbon. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review Blackland Prairie Gold Bourbon and take you inside the distillery's craft process. Prairie Gold is made from locally sourced Texas grains, distilled on-site, and aged in the brutal Texas heat — which accelerates maturation and creates a uniquely bold, expressive bourbon.

What happens when you take a vodka and rest it in a barrel? You get Acre Golden Halo — a barrel-rested vodka that blurs the line between categories. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review this unique expression from Acre Distilling in Fort Worth, Texas. Golden Halo takes a clean, grain-based vodka and gives it oak contact, resulting in a spirit with the smoothness of vodka and the warmth and color of a lightly aged whiskey. It's a clever product t

Anteel Tequila is a unique expression built for the modern spirit drinker who wants quality, transparency, and something a little different. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review Anteel and break down how this tequila is made, what makes it stand out in a crowded category, and whether the price point justifies the purchase. From the production process to tasting notes, they walk through everything you need to know before you add Anteel to your ca

Pierre Ferrand has been crafting Cognac in the heart of the Grande Champagne region for generations, and this original expression is where the story begins. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review Pierre Ferrand Cognac from The Liquor Library — a beautifully balanced expression with dried fruit, baking spice, and a long floral finish that speaks to the quality of Grande Champagne terroir. For those who have already seen our later review of the Pier

Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch is named in honor of Nathan "Nearest" Green — the enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review this landmark small batch expression while diving into the remarkable history behind the brand. Nathan Green was the first African American master distiller on record, and Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey exists to ensure his legacy is never forgotten. The 1884 Small Batch is

Monkey Shoulder is one of the most accessible blended Scotch whiskies on the market — and on this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger give it a proper review. Named after a repetitive strain injury suffered by maltmen who turned barley by hand, Monkey Shoulder blends single malts from three of Speyside's most celebrated distilleries to create a smooth, versatile whisky. With notes of vanilla, biscuit, and subtle fruit, it's an easy drinker that works beautifu

Barrel-rested gin is one of the most exciting intersections in the spirits world — and on this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger settle it with a head-to-head: Blackland Barrel Rested Gin vs. Rabbit Hole Bespoke Gin. Two very different approaches, two very different outcomes. Blackland, born right here in Fort Worth, Texas, takes their gin through bourbon barrel aging, giving it warm vanilla and oak notes alongside botanical complexity. Rabbit Hole's Bespok

All tequila is mezcal — but not all mezcal is tequila. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger unpack that fundamental truth as they review Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, one of the most respected expressions in the category. Del Maguey pioneered the single-village mezcal movement and Vida is their flagship — an Espadin mezcal made in San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca using traditional wood-fired pits and clay pots. The result is a beautifully smoky, complex spirit with

Is The Macallan 12 Year Sherry Oak worth the price tag? On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger pull this iconic bottle from The Liquor Library and give it a proper review. The Macallan 12 Sherry Oak is aged exclusively in hand-picked sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez, Spain, giving it a rich, fruit-forward profile loaded with dried fruits, ginger, and rich oak. It's one of the most recognized Scotch expressions in the world — but does the name carry m

Una Familia Tequila is everything the modern tequila movement stands for: no additives, no celebrity ownership, no shortcuts. Just great agave spirit made with intention. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger take flight — reviewing the full line of Una Familia, from blanco through añejo. Each expression showcases the pure, unmanipulated character of 100% Blue Weber Agave from the Jalisco Highlands. The blanco is bright and herbaceous, the reposado deve

Presidente Brandy is the most popular drink in all of Mexico — and on this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger find out why. Presidente is a Mexican brandy made from a blend of aged grape spirits with a light, smooth character that has made it a staple across the country for over a century. It's affordable, approachable, and wildly versatile — equally at home in a cocktail or sipped on the rocks on a warm evening. Crystal and Roger pull Presidente from The Li

It's a 101 showdown. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger go head-to-head with two of the most iconic 101-proof bourbons on the market: Wild Turkey 101 and Maker's Mark 101. Both bottles command serious respect on the shelf, but which one truly earns its proof? Wild Turkey 101 leans bold and spicy with deep oak and rye character, while Maker's 101 takes the classic wheated softness of the standard Maker's and cranks up the intensity. Crystal and Roger

Vodka has grown up. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review Belvedere Organic Infusions Pear & Ginger with a Drop of Honey — a sophisticated, naturally flavored vodka that raises the bar for what infused spirits can be. Unlike artificial flavored vodkas loaded with sweeteners, Belvedere's organic infusions use real botanicals and zero added sugar, letting the natural flavors of ripe pear, warming ginger, and golden honey speak for themselves. The r

Maker's Mark is already a household name — but Maker's 46 is where innovation meets tradition. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review this iconic expression and explore the creative process behind it. Maker's 46 takes the classic Maker's Mark wheated bourbon and finishes it with seared French oak staves inserted directly into the barrel, adding layers of caramel, vanilla, and spice without over-aging. It was Maker's first new product in over 50 ye

George Dickel Bottled in Bond Fall 2008 is more than just a great pour — it's a history lesson in a glass. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review this award-winning expression while sharing exclusive footage from one of their first-ever distillery tours. Bottled in Bond regulations date back to the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, one of the first consumer protection laws in U.S. history. Dickel's BIB delivers on those strict standards — a single dist

If you think rum is just for mai tais and mojitos, Flor de Caña is about to change your mind. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review this legendary Nicaraguan rum aged at the base of a volcano — yes, really. Flor de Caña is a 5th-generation, family-owned company with centuries of distilling tradition. The rum is made from naturally fermented virgin sugar cane and aged without added sugar or artificial flavors. If Scotch whisky can age for decades

Wait — where's the bottle? That's the first question on this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, as Crystal and Roger pull Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Special Reserve directly from The Liquor Library for a long-overdue review. Tullamore D.E.W. 12 is a triple-distilled, triple-blended Irish whiskey aged for a minimum of 12 years in three types of casks: ex-bourbon, sherry, and port barrels. The result is a layered, exceptionally smooth whiskey with dried fruit, toasted wood, and a