Issue 203 · October 15, 2026
The Cellar Below the Hill
Theme: Buried Flavors Surfacing
This issue digs beneath the obvious to find the flavors that emerge from underground—limestone cellars, volcanic soils, subterranean aging, and the quiet mineral seam that connects eight bottles shaped by what lies below.
Every great drink begins underground. The limestone spring that feeds the mash, the volcanic ash that nourishes the vine, the damp cellar where spirit and wood negotiate in the dark. What happens beneath the surface rarely announces itself, but it shapes everything we eventually taste. This issue follows that subterranean thread through eight bottles that carry the signature of depth.
From a Kentucky bourbon matured in deep rick houses to a Sicilian white grown on lava stone, each selection reveals how the ground beneath our feet influences the glass in our hand. These are bottles that reward patience—slow sippers that unfold their mineral, earthy, and stone-fruit dimensions one layer at a time.
Today's aroma theme follows the subterranean thread—earthy, mineral, and stone-fruit notes that connect our eight bottles to the ground beneath them. From charred oak and malt to volcanic minerality and chalky tannin, these are the aromas that reveal depth.
Don’t see your special bottle? Request a review at reviews.schoolofwineandspirits.com/request-review — we’ll get to it. See every bottle we’ve reviewed to date at reviews.schoolofwineandspirits.com.
Bourbon Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Named for a 19th-century distiller whose legacy was buried by Prohibition, Joseph Magnus was resurrected to unearth the craft and complexity of a forgotten era.
Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brand: Joseph Magnus
Distillery: Jos. A. Magnus & Co. (sourced, produced in Washington, D.C.)
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Age: NAS
Color: Deep burnished copper with mahogany edges
MSRP: $90–$110
Mash Bill: Undisclosed
Barrel Type: New charred American oak
Nose: A complex opening of dark caramel and dried stone fruit gives way to deeper notes of toasted pecan, pipe tobacco, and old leather. Beneath the surface, hints of baking spice and honeycomb emerge slowly, as if unearthed from layers of oak. A faint whisper of cherry compote and cocoa rounds out a nose that rewards patience.
Palate: Rich and full-bodied, the palate delivers waves of butterscotch, charred oak, and bittersweet chocolate that build in intensity. Rye spice crackles alongside candied orange peel and roasted almond, while a viscous mouthfeel carries flavors of maple syrup and dark cherry. There's a mineral earthiness beneath it all, grounding the sweetness with gravitas.
Finish: Long and warming, with lingering tobacco leaf, espresso, and a slow fade of caramel and dried fruit. The oak tannins persist beautifully, echoing the depth found on the palate.
Cocktail — The Excavation — 2 oz Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon · 0.5 oz Averna amaro · 0.25 oz demerara syrup · 2 dashes Angostura bitters · Stir over ice, strain into a chilled coupe, garnish with a flamed orange peel
Pair with: Slow-braised beef short ribs finished with a coffee and ancho chile reduction, served over creamy polenta with roasted root vegetables. The deep, earthy richness of the braise mirrors the bourbon's tobacco and charred oak, while the subtle heat of the ancho plays off the rye spice.
Awards: Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022
Scotch Whisky Clynelish Distillers Edition 2022 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Perched on the rugged Highland coast above Brora, Clynelish has long been prized by blenders for its singular waxy character — a quality so distinctive it feels like liquid geology, layers of flavor compressed and waiting to be excavated by a patient palate.
Classification: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brand: Clynelish
Distillery: Clynelish Distillery
Proof: 92 (46% ABV)
Age: NAS
Color: Burnished gold with amber highlights
MSRP: $85–$110
Region: Highlands
Mash Bill: 100% malted barley
Distillation: Double distilled in traditional copper pot stills
Maturation: Matured in American oak refill casks, finished in Oloroso Seco sherry casks
Cask Type: American oak refill casks with Oloroso Seco sherry cask finish
Peat Level (PPM): Unpeated
Chill-Filtered: No
Nose: An initial wave of beeswax and coastal salinity gives way to ripe orchard fruit and honeycomb. Deeper exploration reveals dried herbs, a subtle waxy lanolin quality, and toasted almonds emerging like long-buried treasures. Faint wisps of tropical fruit and white pepper linger at the edges.
Palate: Rich and oily on the tongue, with layers of honey-drenched stone fruit, salted caramel, and a distinctive waxy texture that is Clynelish's hallmark. The Oloroso Seco cask finish adds dried fig, dark chocolate, and warm baking spices that seem to surface gradually with each sip. A thread of coastal minerality keeps everything grounded and complex.
Finish: Long and warming, with lingering beeswax, gentle oak spice, and a saline-kissed sweetness that slowly fades like an echo from deep underground. Toasted malt and a whisper of smoke close the curtain.
Cocktail — The Excavation — 2 oz Clynelish Distillers Edition · 0.5 oz honey syrup · 0.25 oz Amaro Montenegro · 2 dashes orange bitters · Stir over ice, strain into a rocks glass with a large cube, garnish with an orange twist expressed over the surface
Pair with: The honeyed wax and dried fruit notes of the whisky intertwine beautifully with seared duck breast served alongside a fig and port reduction, with roasted root vegetables and a scattering of toasted walnuts adding earthy counterpoints that mirror the dram's subterranean depth.
Awards: Diageo Special Releases Distillers Edition series; highly regarded by whisky critics
Irish Whiskey The Irishman Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Born from a vision to revive the tradition of premium small-batch Irish whiskey in Carlow, The Irishman Single Malt is triple-distilled and matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, allowing the grain's buried character to surface with unhurried grace.
Classification: Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Brand: The Irishman
Distillery: West Cork Distillers (sourced/blended by Walsh & Company, Carlow)
Proof: 80 (40% ABV)
Age: NAS
Color: Warm amber gold with honeyed edges
MSRP: $35–$50
Mash Bill: 100% malted barley
Distillation: Triple distilled in copper pot stills
Maturation: Matured in first-fill ex-bourbon American oak barrels
Chill-Filtered: Chill filtered
Nose: Opens with layers of orchard fruit—ripe pear and baked apple—that gradually give way to a deeper seam of toasted malt and honeycomb. A gentle floral quality hovers beneath, suggesting wildflower meadows, while a subtle earthiness anchors the bouquet as it develops in the glass.
Palate: Creamy and medium-bodied, the palate unfolds with buttery shortbread and soft vanilla custard before revealing buried notes of hazelnut, dried apricot, and a whisper of white pepper spice. The malt backbone is persistent and satisfying, with a gentle oakiness that surfaces slowly like something long interred finally seeing daylight.
Finish: Medium length with lingering honey, toasted cereal, and a quiet minerality that echoes the terroir-driven theme of hidden flavors unearthed.
Cocktail — The Barrow Bloom — 2 oz The Irishman Single Malt · ¾ oz honey syrup · ½ oz fresh lemon juice · 2 dashes orange bitters · Shake with ice, strain into a coupe, garnish with a lemon twist.
Pair with: Warm brown butter soda bread served alongside a wedge of aged Dubliner cheddar and a drizzle of wildflower honey—the bread's toasty nuttiness mirrors the whiskey's malt core while the sharp cheddar draws out its buried spice, and the honey ties both together in a seamless finish.
Awards: Gold Medal, International Wine & Spirit Competition; Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Tequila Tres Agaves Añejo Tequila
Aged for a full eighteen months in American oak barrels in the Jalisco highlands, Tres Agaves Añejo is built on the philosophy that great tequila should taste like the land it came from—flavors buried deep in slow-roasted piñas finally finding their way to the surface.
Classification: Añejo Tequila
Brand: Tres Agaves
Distillery: Productos Finos de Agave (NOM 1416)
Proof: 80 (40% ABV)
Age: 18 Months
Color: Rich amber with burnished copper edges
MSRP: $35–$50
Agave: 100% Blue Weber Agave
Cooking Method: Traditional brick oven-cooked agave, roller mill extraction, fermented with natural yeast, double-distilled in copper pot stills
NOM: 1416
Additives Free: Yes
Nose: Opens with deeply roasted agave and brown butter, as if unearthing something slow-cooked beneath warm earth. Caramel and baking spice emerge gradually, followed by a quiet mineral note that recalls wet clay and dried herbs.
Palate: Medium-bodied and layered, the palate delivers cooked agave sweetened by butterscotch and vanilla, with a streak of dark chocolate and black pepper rising through the middle. Cinnamon bark and toasted oak add structure, while a subtle earthiness grounds every sip.
Finish: Medium-long and warming, with lingering caramel, dried herb, and a final whisper of mineral-laced agave that surfaces slowly and refuses to leave.
Cocktail — The Unearthed — 2 oz Tres Agaves Añejo · 0.75 oz Ancho Reyes · 0.5 oz fresh lime juice · 0.25 oz agave nectar · Shake with ice, strain into a coupe, garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel dusted with smoked salt.
Pair with: Slow-braised birria tacos with consommé for dipping—the deeply stewed, chile-laced beef mirrors the tequila's roasted agave and warm spice, while the rich broth echoes its butterscotch undertones and earthy finish.
Gin Liberator Gin
Born in a repurposed industrial building in Ferndale, Michigan, Valentine Distilling's Liberator Gin channels the earthy, subterranean character of deep-rooted botanicals pulled to the surface through careful copper-pot distillation.
Classification: American Dry Gin
Brand: Valentine Distilling
Distillery: Valentine Distilling Co.
Proof: 88 (44% ABV)
Age: NAS
Color: Crystal clear with faint silvery legs
MSRP: $30–$40
Style: American Dry Gin
Botanicals: Juniper, angelica root, orris root, coriander, cassia bark, lavender, lemon peel, grains of paradise
Base Spirit: Grain-based neutral spirit distilled from Midwest wheat
Distillation: Pot-distilled in a custom-built copper pot still with a botanical basket for vapor infusion
Nose: An earthy, rooty opening of angelica and orris gives way to bright juniper pine and a subtle undercurrent of warm baking spice. Deeper inhalation reveals a minerally, almost clay-like note that slowly yields to citrus zest and dried chamomile.
Palate: The palate opens with resinous juniper and cracked coriander seed before a wave of earthy angelica root and white pepper rises from beneath. A gentle sweetness from the grain base spirit carries lavender and dried lemon peel across the mid-palate, lending an almost archaeological sense of uncovering layers.
Finish: Medium-length with lingering orris root earthiness, a whisper of cassia bark warmth, and a clean juniper pine note that slowly fades like a last echo from underground.
Cocktail — The Unearthed — 2 oz Liberator Gin · ¾ oz Dolin Blanc vermouth · ½ oz fresh lemon juice · ¼ oz honey syrup · 2 dashes celery bitters · Shake with ice, strain into a coupe, garnish with a lemon twist and a sprig of fresh thyme
Pair with: A roasted root vegetable tart—parsnips, celery root, and golden beets on flaky pastry with tangy chèvre—mirrors the gin's earthy angelica and orris root character while the cheese's acidity highlights its citrus brightness.
Rum Depaz Rhum Vieux Agricole XO Grande Réserve
Distilled at the foot of the volcano that destroyed the original Depaz estate in 1902, this XO is built on soil that was once ash — proof that buried catastrophe can yield extraordinary depth.
Classification: Rhum Agricole Vieux XO
Brand: Depaz
Distillery: Distillerie Depaz
Proof: 90 (45% ABV)
Age: NAS (minimum 6 years)
Color: Deep mahogany with burnished copper edges
MSRP: $65–$85
Base Ingredients: Fresh pressed sugarcane juice (vesou)
Distillation: Single column distillation of fresh sugarcane juice per Martinique AOC specifications
Nose: An earthy, almost geological opening of damp clay and dried tobacco leaf gives way to caramelized banana and dark muscovado sugar. Deeper inhalation reveals buried layers of toasted oak, cocoa nibs, and a distinct minerality reminiscent of volcanic soil.
Palate: Rich and weighty on entry, with molasses-drenched dried fruit and espresso-roasted cane juice surfacing through waves of baking spice and leather. A secondary layer of coconut husk and orange zest emerges mid-palate, adding brightness to the dense, earthy core.
Finish: Long and smoldering, with tobacco, dark chocolate, and a persistent mineral tang that recalls the volcanic terroir of Mont Pelée. The agricole grassiness appears as a final whisper beneath the oak.
Cocktail — The Excavation — 2 oz Depaz XO · 0.5 oz coffee liqueur · 0.25 oz orgeat · 2 dashes Angostura bitters · Stir over a large rock, express an orange peel and lay it across the glass
Pair with: The caramelized crust and sticky tamarind sweetness of slow-roasted pork belly mirror the rum's molasses depth, while the meat's rendered fat carries the tobacco and oak notes across the palate. Serve with charred plantains and a slaw of jicama and lime.
Awards: Gold Medal, Concours Général Agricole de Paris
Red Wine Domaine du Vissoux Brouilly Pierreux 2022
From the steep, pink-granite slopes of Mont Brouilly—an extinct volcano whose ancient soils store millennia of mineral memory—Pierre-Marie Chermette coaxes a wine that tastes like the earth slowly revealing its secrets.
Classification: Brouilly AOC
Brand: Domaine du Vissoux
ABV: 13%
Primary Varietal: Gamay
Blend: 100% Gamay Noir
Vineyards: Lieu-dit Pierreux on Mont Brouilly; steep slopes of decomposed pink granite at 300–480m elevation; old vines averaging 50+ years
Maturation: Hand-harvested, whole-cluster semi-carbonic maceration in concrete vats for approximately 10–14 days; indigenous yeast fermentation with minimal sulfur additions
Color: Deep garnet-purple with violet rim, striking in its youthful density
MSRP: $28–$35
Nose: An initial wave of crushed dark berries and violets slowly yields to buried layers of wet granite, iron filings, and pencil shavings. With time in the glass, a subtle earthiness emerges—forest floor mulch and dried herbs—as though the volcanic soils themselves were surfacing through the fruit. A whisper of smoky minerality ties everything together.
Palate: Medium-bodied yet deeply concentrated, the palate opens with juicy black cherry and ripe plum before diving into stony, almost saline mineral tones drawn from the ancient pink granite hillside of Pierreux. Fine-grained tannins carry flavors of licorice root, dried thyme, and a subtle bitter-almond note that adds complexity. The texture is silky but with unmistakable rocky backbone.
Finish: Lingering and mineral-driven, with echoes of crushed stone, dark cherry skin, and a faint peppery warmth that persists beautifully. The volcanic terroir has the last word.
Pair with: The wine's crushed-stone minerality and bright cherry fruit cut through the rich, silky pork fat of classic rillettes, while its subtle herbal notes harmonize with tangy cornichons and coarse-grain mustard on toasted country bread.
White Wine Vajra Langhe Bianco Petracine 2022
From the same steep Barolo hills where Elvio Cogno's Ravera rises, the Vajra family coaxes Riesling and Nascetta from ancient calcareous soils, naming this cuvée 'Petracine'—Piedmontese for 'made of stone'—because the wine's truest flavors are literally quarried from the deep.
Classification: Langhe Bianco DOC
Brand: G.D. Vajra
Winery: G.D. Vajra
ABV: 13.0%
Primary Varietal: Riesling
Blend: Riesling with Nascetta
Vineyards: Estate vineyards in the commune of Barolo, planted on calcareous marl soils at elevations between 350–450 meters in the Langhe hills
Vinification: Hand-harvested grapes are gently pressed and fermented at controlled temperatures in stainless steel. The wine rests on fine lees for several months before bottling to develop texture while maintaining crystalline freshness.
Color: Pale straw gold with glints of green, deceptively luminous in the glass
MSRP: $22–$30
Nose: An initial impression of wet limestone and crushed chalk gives way to white peach and chamomile blossom. With air, subtle beeswax and a savory, almost saline minerality emerge from beneath, as if the soil itself is exhaling. A whisper of blanched almond lingers in the background.
Palate: The entry is precise and focused, with green apple and citrus pith riding a taut, mineral-driven spine. Mid-palate reveals a textural surprise—a creamy, almost waxy quality that speaks to the Riesling component—before honeyed white flowers surface alongside notes of toasted hazelnut. Tension between bright acidity and underlying richness keeps the wine coiled and energetic.
Finish: Long and gently saline, tapering to crushed stone and dried herb. The minerality persists well after the fruit fades, a geological echo that rewards patience.
Pair with: The classic Piedmontese dish of chilled, thinly sliced veal draped in silky tuna-caper sauce mirrors the wine's interplay of delicacy and hidden depth. The saline caper notes amplify Petracine's mineral backbone, while the dish's creamy richness meets the wine's waxy mid-palate in seamless harmony. Serve with a scattering of fried capers and a drizzle of fine olive oil.
Train Your Nose: Today's Aroma Spotlight
Today's aroma theme follows the subterranean thread—earthy, mineral, and stone-fruit notes that connect our eight bottles to the ground beneath them. From charred oak and malt to volcanic minerality and chalky tannin, these are the aromas that reveal depth.
Each bottle below maps to aromas you can isolate with your kit before your next pour — then see if you catch them in the glass.
Today's Kit Reference
| Today's Product | Key Aromas | Train With |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Bourbon) | Caramel, Tobacco, Charred Oak, Pecan, Cherry, Cocoa (Dark) | Bourbon Kit |
| Clynelish Distillers Edition 2022 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Scotch Whisky) | Honey, Buttery, Dried Fruit, Cocoa (Dark), Earthy, Vanilla | Whisky Kit |
| The Irishman Single Malt Irish Whiskey (Irish Whiskey) | Honey, Malt, Nut (Hazelnut), Vanilla, Buttery, Peach | Whiskey Kit |
| Tres Agaves Añejo Tequila (Tequila) | Agave (Cooked), Caramel, Butterscotch, Earth (Mineral, Soil Notes), Cinnamon, Vanilla | Tequila Kit |
| Liberator Gin (Gin) | Juniper (Pine), Angelica, Orris Root, Coriander, Lavender, Peppery | Gin Kit |
| Depaz Rhum Vieux Agricole XO Grande Réserve (Rum) | Tobacco, Molasses, Coffee, Oak, Coconut, Dried Fruit | Rum Kit |
| Domaine du Vissoux Brouilly Pierreux 2022 (Red Wine) | Cherry, Violet, Woody, Gamey, Green Peppers | Wine Kit |
| Vajra Langhe Bianco Petracine 2022 (White Wine) | Apple (Green), Honey, Nut (Almond/Coconut), Citrus (Generic), Toasted | Wine Kit |
Explore the School of Wine and Spirits
Train your nose on these buried flavors with our curated aroma kits, designed to sharpen your ability to identify the earthy, mineral, and woody notes featured in today's issue. Our Aroma Masterclass Kits are designed to teach it to you, one aroma at a time.
Our books on Amazon go deeper into the science and history behind every sip — from America's Spirit, Scotland's Spirit, Ireland's Spirit, The Ultimate Northern Italian Wine Journey, The Tequila y Mezcal Revolution, Chablis, and Côte d'Or pocket guides.
Explore our Aroma Masterclass kits and books at schoolofwineandspirits.com
Join the School of Wine and Spirits Community
Connect with fellow connoisseurs, share tasting notes, and go deeper into every pour.
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The best flavors don't shout—they rise slowly from below, and a trained palate is the only way to catch them.
Until tomorrow's pour — cheers.
The Still & The Vine is a daily publication of the School of Wine and Spirits.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Joseph Magnus
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon is a masterclass in blending — layers of flavor emerge one after another like sediment pulled from deep earth. It fits the theme of buried flavors surfacing perfectly: nothing is obvious on first sip, but everything reveals itself with time. A sophisticated, contemplative pour that punches well above its price point.
Clynelish Distillers Edition 2022 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Clynelish
This Distillers Edition takes Clynelish's legendary waxy, coastal character and sends it deeper into sherry-kissed earth, perfectly embodying flavors that feel unearthed rather than applied. It rewards patience and contemplation, each sip revealing another buried stratum of complexity. A superb after-dinner dram for those who love discovering hidden depth in their glass.
The Irishman Single Malt Irish Whiskey
The Irishman
The Irishman Single Malt is a gentle excavation of Irish whiskey's quieter virtues—nothing shouts, but everything rewards patient attention. It's the sort of bottle that reveals new layers on every revisit, making it an ideal daily pour for those who appreciate subtlety over spectacle. A terrific value for the depth it delivers.
Tres Agaves Añejo Tequila
Tres Agaves
Tres Agaves Añejo is a study in patience rewarded—flavors that feel genuinely excavated rather than applied. Its restrained oak influence lets the cooked agave and earthy minerality shine, making it an honest, satisfying añejo at a remarkably fair price point.
Liberator Gin
Valentine Distilling
Valentine's Liberator is a beautifully structured American gin that rewards patience—its earthy, root-driven botanicals truly surface only after the bright juniper and citrus settle. It fits squarely into the 'buried flavors surfacing' theme, revealing hidden complexity with every sip. An excellent and underappreciated craft gin at a fair price point.
Depaz Rhum Vieux Agricole XO Grande Réserve
Depaz
Depaz XO is a masterclass in terroir-driven rum — the volcanic slopes of Mont Pelée quite literally surface in every sip. It rewards patience, each return revealing another buried flavor that was always there, waiting. A serious, contemplative agricole that punches well above its price point.
Vajra Langhe Bianco Petracine 2022
G.D. Vajra
Petracine—'stone upon stone'—is aptly named: this is a wine whose beauty lies in what the ancient Langhe soils push upward through layers of fruit and texture. It delivers far above its modest price, offering the kind of buried complexity that rewards a second pour and a quiet moment of attention. A perfect thematic companion for an issue about hidden flavors surfacing.
Domaine du Vissoux Brouilly Pierreux 2022
Domaine du Vissoux
Pierre-Marie Chermette's Pierreux bottling is a masterclass in unearthing what lies beneath—volcanic granite soils channeled into a Gamay of uncommon depth and persistence. It rewards patience, revealing new mineral layers with every sip. A perfect embodiment of buried flavors surfacing, and outstanding value for serious cru Beaujolais.
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