Spirits: The year’s best buys, from around the globe

Here are some of the best buys in tequila, vodka, gin, and whiskey for 2008, said F. Paul Pacult in Wine Enthusiast. This year’s roster of Best Value Spirits was judged on a 100-point tasting scale, with Classic (96–100) earning the highest recommendation, and Superb (90–95) highly recommended.

Tequila

Superb

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Hacienda Los Diaz Reposado 100 percent de Agave Tequila, Mexico ($40)

Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado 100 percent Agave Tequila, Mexico ($30)

Gin

Classic

Tanqueray No. 10 Batch Distilled Gin, England ($22)

Superb

Broker’s London Dry Gin, England ($21)

Vodka

Classic

Absolut Pears Pear Flavored Vodka, Sweden ($19)

Superb

Pearl Blueberry Flavored Vodka, Canada ($20)

Revel Classic Vodka, Estonia ($13)

Whisky, Scotch

Superb

Mitchell’s Glengyle Blended Whisky ($49)

Glenlivet 12-Year-Old Spey­side Single Malt Whisky ($37)

Strathisla 12-Year-Old Speyside Single Malt Whisky ($46)

Wemyss Vintage Malts The Smooth Gentleman 8-Year-Old Blended Malt Whisky ($37)

Whiskey, Irish

Superb

Black Bush Blended Irish Whiskey, Northern Ireland ($28)

The Knot 100 Proof Whiskey, Ireland ($24)