Artigiano Giuseppe Castelli Grappa Barolina 750 ml

Distilleria Castelli is a small, family-run operation in the heart of Piedmont working with neighboring growers/winemakers to repurpose the grape pomace left behind from vinification, into surprisingly aromatic and delicate grappas. The Castelli family collects the pomace and ages it in sealed tanks to help intensify the flavor, and is then distilled and aged for  several years in stainless steel. The Barolina Grappa is 100% Nebbiolo from Barolo vineyards, distilled and then aged for 6 years in stainless steel, bottled at 50%ABV, leading to a softer, rounder mouthfeel than the grappa my grandfather used to have open at parties. The nose presents a melance of honeyed apricot, daffodils, and Meyer lemon peel, and on the palate flavors of stonefruits, wildflower honey, and cardamom. Michelle DeWyngaert

Chateau de Leberon Solera Ténarèze Armagnac 750ml

The Chateau de Leberon has been in the family for four generations, focused on crafting a spirit that wholly reflects their micro-terroir by using all estate-grown fruit, and even estate-grown wood for their barrels. As all of their other bottlings are vintage-dated, in 2001 a solera, or "cellar master's cask" was started, with minimum 3-year-old spirit being added each year, as a portion is bottled. The nose is elegant and high-toned, a bit floral even, with cherry blossom mingling with caramel and spice. The palate has a lightness to it, though far from "thin," with a touch of cinnamon heat on the finish. Opens up nicely with a small splash of water!  Michelle DeWyngaert

Clos des Vignes du Maynes 2004 Marc de Bourgogne

Most Marc the Bourgogne that we've tasted has been thin, reedy, and quite underwhelming. A low-quality distillate made from the remnants of high-quality grapes. But not this one. A proper, intense, and delightful brandy, Julien Guillot's marc is deep and complex, and the 2004 vintage is a powerhouse. A beautiful combination of dried fruit (apricot, prune), oak spice and rancio (dried leaves, earth and a hint of varnish) character converge on a long and seamless finish. I was completely blown away by how good this is. A single cask, and limited to 240 bottles. Oskar Kostecki

Cobra Fire Eau de Vie de Raisin Domaine d'Esperance

Unaged brandy does not get nearly enough love these days! Cobrafire came about as a result of a tasting at the Domaine d'Esperance where they were able to try a sample of the brandy straight from the still before it went to barrel. They couldn't believe how delicious it was as is, convinced the distillers to bottle it on it's own for PM Spirits, and so Cobrafire was born. The base is a blend of Folle Blanche and Baco Blanche, distilled once and then bottled with no water added at 51.3% ABV. The name would suggest that this is particularly hot and rough around the edges, but the truth is it's actually really clean and well made. Michelle DeWyngaert

de Marsy NV Cognac VSOP 200ml

Dudognon 10 Year Old Cognac Grande Champagne 'Reserve'

The Dudognon Reserve is one of the best values in Cognac. Made without additives or coloring, it's a pale gold color with subtle citrus and white fruit aromas. The palate is clean and long with tea, earth, citrus and spice. Far superior to the brand-name VS or VSOP blends and really worth trying. John Rankin

Gourry de Chadeville Cognac Grande Fine Champagne Overproof

From one of the oldest estates in Cognac, established in 1619, comes this rather modern brandy! Rare for the spirits of this region, this bottle contains no additives, including coloring, caramel, or boise, and no chill-filtering. Made in the Premier Cru territory, Grande Fine Champagne, from a blend of the three grapes of Cognac, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Folle Blanche. It is co-fermented and then distilled in a wood-fired copper pot still to ensure that the most esters are preserved in the distillation. It's bottled relatively young, after three years, and overproof at 55% ABV making it perfect for cocktails. Sidecars are making a comeback these days, or try it in a Sazerac the way it used to be made! Michelle DeWyngaert

Groult, Roger 3 Year Old Calvados Reserve Pays d'Auge (3 Year)

A versatile, classic style of Calvados from a family who has been maintaining orchards and crafting this spirit in the Pays d'Auge for five generations. 100% cider apples (a blend of about 70% bittersweet, 20% sweet, and 10% tart apple varieties) from their estate orchards are used, brewed into cider and distilled twice over a wood-fired pot still as they have for over a century. On the nose is a mix of freshly picked, and bruised red apple, vanilla bean, a touch of baking spice, and fragrant apple blossoms. On the palate are notes of cinnamon and baked apple, allspice, a kick of heat on the finish and a lingering texture from the apple skins and oak tannin. This mixes very well into cocktails you might use Bourbon for, or slightly chilled for drinking on its own. Michelle DeWyngaert 

Huard 2002 Calvados Le Pertyer Hors d'Age

Our Chambers Street selection of Calvados was distilled in 2002 and was aged in a barrel that previously held cider and Pommeau (cider and Calvados blended together). From the diary of John Rankin: The barrel that we bought has candied apple and toffee cream flavors and is surprisingly juicy and fruit-forward, even with a fair amount of age and alcohol percentage. It shows the influence of Pommeau and cider more than barrel, along with richness and a long finish of exotic citrus and dark-toned flowers. Tim Gagnon

Hunter Moon Immature Brandy

The ladies at Hunter Moon are doing their best to bring back eau-de-vie (otherwise known as 'unaged brandy') with this delicious example. This is truly natural wine-making distilled, a rarity in the spirits world. The base for their brandy comes from Farrm Wines on the North Fork of Long Island, a Demeter certified vineyard, with a blend of 80% Petit Verdot and 20% Cabernet Franc, fermented entirely with native yeasts. It is then distilled in a hybrid copper/pot still, rested in glass, and then bottled at 50%ABV. Notes of honey, cherry blossom, and fresh herbs on the nose, with a soft, lush texture on the palate. I think this makes a killer Vesper variation, but it would also be great as a base for tinctures or bitters! Michelle DeWyngaert

Laurent Cazottes NV Goutte de Reine-Claude Brandy 375 ml

Laurent Cazottes is undoubtedly one of the finest distillers in the entire world. Farming  grapes and fruit trees biodynamically in the Tarn department in Southwest France, he is crafting some of the purest expressions of fruit brandy that I have ever tasted. This beautiful greengage plum (Reine-Claude in French) brandy comes from a small .7 hectare grove of ancient trees, and Laurent hand peels and de-seeds the fruit before fermenting and distilling. I've never had the pleasure of tasting greengage plums, this old heirloom variety is nearly extinct in the US, but this exceptionally crafted distillate more than makes up for it. A wonderful way to finish a meal, and a real treat! Oskar Kostecki

Pellehaut 1989 Armagnac Ténarèze Ugni Blanc

This Armagnac shows a vibrant orange color with hints of caramel. Tastes mature, but even after 30 years in cask there is a grippy quality and some citrus-toned fruit. This is an excellent introduction to vintage Armagnac and a fabulous value.  John Rankin

Romeo del Castello NV Pear Brandy Gioialuce 375ml

A delicate, un-aged, pear brandy from the pear orchard planted on their estate between 1950 and 1960. Master distiller Gianni Capovilla in Vincenza, creates this eau-de-vie by double distilling in a bain-marie and proofs with natural spring water.

Through the Grapevine Cognac Fin Bois Remi Landier Lot 73

I am astounded by the freshness that this old Cognac carries. A single cask from the outlying appellation of Fin Bois, this was distilled in 1973 by the Landier family from grapes grown in clay-limestone soils. It has a beautiful, lifted aromatic profile, with notes of citrus, tangerine, orange zest, orange marmalade, white flowers, apple, pear, and darker aromas of plum and toffee. There is a hint of rancio and baking spice, and while you can feel the age of the spirit, the roundness it carries on the palate and its phenomenal length, there is also a vibrancy to the fruit character that I've never experienced in a Cognac this old. A truly unique expression. Bottled at 47.8% ABV. Oskar Kostecki