The Appleton Estate  has been producing exceptional-quality rums since 1749, and their Appleton Estate Extra 12 Year Old and Appleton Estate 21 Year Old  celebrate their fine tradition of handcrafting award-winning rums. Whether you are looking for the perfect gift for your favorite rum aficionado, small batch bourbon lover, or single malt devotee, these aged Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums will definitely be appreciated.

"Location, location, location" is a real estate phrase used to distinguish an exceptional property; location can also be applied as one of the many factors that distinguish the award-winning Heavy Water Vodka made in Sweden from winter wheat.

For rum aficionados, at the end of a day well spent, there is something special about relaxing and reliving the moment with a glass of excellent sipping rum. Joy Spence, Master Blender of Appleton Estate, the oldest sugar estate and distillery in Jamaica, proudly announces the latest achievement in a tradition that dates to 1749, Appleton Estate Limited Edition 30-Year Old Rum. Having tasted this spectacular product, if you are a collector of fine rum, then run; do not walk to purchase a bottle, as they will not last for long.

Having spent many years skiing in Vermont, the image I have is one of wholesomeness, majestic mountains, maple syrup, and dairy products; after tasting Vermont Spirits White Vodka and Vermont Spirits Gold Vodka, I found another reason why I love Vermont. Ingeniously incorporating 100% milk sugar in the Vermont Spirits White Vodka and 100% maple sap in the Vermont Spirits Gold Vodka, Vermont Spirits Vodkas are unlike other vodkas, and with every sip I could taste the goodness of the region.

Although tequila is the more famous of the Mexican spirits, mezcal is 500 years old and is older than tequila, yet despite being the senior agave this wonderful spirit is often overlooked. The award-winning Scorpion Mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico is out to change that by offering artisan line of mezcals that include Scorpion Mezcal Silver, Scorpion Mezcal Reposado, Scorpion Mezcal Añejo 1 year, Scorpion Mezcal Reserva Añejo 5 Year, and Scorpion Mezcal Gran Reserva Añejo 7 Year that are perfect for cocktails as well as for sipping.

As we begin 2009, Luxury Experience looks back to 1997 to appreciate the nuances of Rhum J.M. Vieux 1997, a banner year for films (Titanic, As Good as it Gets), music (Change the World - Eric Clapton, High Life - Wayne Shorter)  and rhum agricole from Martinique.

Tall, sleek, numbered, and wearing a sexy gold medallion inscribed with CHARBAY California around its neck, CHARBAY Whiskey Release II is a limited edition for dedicated whiskey connoisseurs from CHARBAY® Winery & Distillery. Flavored with hops, CHARBAY Whiskey Release II is an exceptional winner that stands out when you want to celebrate life at its finest.

The Spirited Travelers aka Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta of Luxury Experience Magazine share their cocktail recipes from their guest appearance as Bar Chefs at Ralph's on the Park in New Orleans for a spirited evening of cocktail and food pairing during Tales of the Cocktail.

Luxury Experience Magazine presents exciting cocktail recipes from the Tales of the Cocktail 2008 that was held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Spirited Travelers aka Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta present a seminar on Cognac and Armagnac: Understanding the Nuances of the Spirits at the Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Created in the 1930s, B&B Liqueur celebrates its 70^th anniversary in 2008, and Luxury Experience Magazine is already starting the party! B&B is the "grandson" of Bénédictine Liqueur, which was created in 1510. Both of these spirits combine herbs and spices for a unique taste all their own.

I first "discovered" cachaça, the national spirit of Brazil made with fresh sugar cane juice, many years ago when I lived there, and since then, I am always on the lookout for outstanding new cachaças. My latest cachaça discovery is Sagatiba Cachaça manufactured in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Café Bohême is a delicious liqueur made with a blend of coffee, French vodka, vanilla, and cream, that after taking a sip had me toasting "C'est magnifique!"

Peru has been making pisco since the 16^th century, and experiencing BarSol Pisco, I felt that I was not only drinking a well-crafted spirit, but also drinking in Peruvian culture and history.

An interesting look at cocktail trends with fourth generation Joe Fee of Fee Brothers, the famous line of cocktail mixes used throughout the hospitality industry.

Joe Fee of Fee Brothers calls their line of bitters the "spice rack behind the bar," which is all well and good for cocktails, but I believe that chefs should revolt and add Fee Brothers Bitters to their own culinary spice racks in the kitchen!

The 1995 Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey has a pale golden color, a lingering silkiness on the palate, and is pure Irish magic.

Delamain Cognac, one of the oldest names in the Cognac region, is where 200 years of history meets elegance.

Summertime is here and with it, the desire to enjoy long drinks sitting by the pool, after a game of golf or tennis, or a day out sailing, and Celtic Crossing Liqueur from Ireland is perfect anytime.

Bison Grass Vodka is a Polish vodka with a clean taste and herbal notes from the bison grass extract purported to have possible aphrodisiac qualities.

Rhum J.M., an exqusite rum distilled on the smallest estate on Martinique, is located in the northeast in Macouba, where the sugar cane grows on 28-degree vertical slopes in rich volcanic soil at the foot of Mount Pelée.

The Swiss have perfected watch and chocolate making, and now DIWISA has perfected the art and science of making vodka.

While Edward F. Nesta and I were in Martinique, we visited Distillerie Clément and discovered their excellent line of rhums. 

Everybody loves a good story, and somehow rum seems to go hand-in-hand with intriguing stories. Family owned La Favorite Distillery in Martinique has its share of intriguing stories to tell!

To research the art and science of making Martinique Rhum Agricole, we made a research trip to Martinique in April 2006 and visited the distilleries.

When people think of Switzerland, vodka is not usually what comes to mind but that will soon change, when they try Xellent Swiss Vodka, the first and only Swiss vodka.