Athyr Empire, 55%

Lebanese single malt produced by Riachi Distillery. This has perfumed aromas with peppercorn, butterscotch, black cherry, leather, fig vanilla essence, root beer, caramelized brown sugar, and ling honey. With flavors of cocoa, dark chocolate, baking spices, earthiness, burnt spice, and vanilla pod, there’s heat to contend with, then a beautifully dense texture develops milk chocolate, fig, root beer, oakiness, and cola. Vanilla, earthiness, oak tannins, and chocolate torte to finish. (New York exclusive; 192 bottles)