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The 12 year expression is a rounder, richer bottling of Knob Creek 9, though still with a distinctive kick and spice notes. Vanilla, molasses, and cedar come through on the palate, leading to a warming finish with hints of chestnut and orange peel. It's a welcome addition to the line, and great for sipping.

The rum barrel finishing definitely makes a presence on the nose, but it's more of a background note than hitting you on the fore. Malty notes play well with the orange, coconut, and a slight char smoke. On the palate, the body is medium full and oily. Fruity and sweet with that rum back note, the finish is a bit on the short side. But while Caribbean Reserve is present, it's pleasant. Try this in a Whisky Sour.

Sweet fruits appear first and the sherry influence is very noticeable but not dominant. A touch of lychees, but also lightly floral and a tinge of honey and sultanas. Very subtle notes of tea leaves. The palate is along the lines of spicy oak, juicy fruits, herbs and vanilla, but there's also a good amount of floral honey. It's an easy drinker and a very more-ish whisky, yet challenging and with plenty to discover.

Virginia Distilling Company offers a promising look at the future with one of its inaugural self-distilled releases. The nose is sweet and waxy, with vanilla pudding, candied fruits, beeswax, and lemon. The palate is creamy, showcasing toffee, raspberries, cloves, citrus peel, and towards the back, milk chocolate. The finish is short, with spicy, tannic oak and chocolate syrup.

This is a very Texas whiskey, both in terms of its Shiner Bock base and its big character. Notes of malt and fresh wood lead on the palate, along with touches of smoke, vanilla, and orange peel. It's brash but not too hot for it's 100-proof; it's sippable neat but would likely be distinctive in spirit-forward cocktails.

Well, it wouldn't be Ardbeg without hitting you over the head with peat, tar, iodine and savory smoked meats. But amidst all this, there's a bit of baked apple and brûléed sugar as well. Flavor continues on these notes with a spicy bite along with seaweed and rubber. Just a really fun ride finding all the notes. The finish leaves you with the peat flavors and a desire to go back in for another sip. It doesn't need it, but a touch of cool water smooths out the rough edges. Not a baaad way to spend the evening.

Smoke and leather emanate up from a glass of Knob Creek 9 year. It's a boldly spicy bourbon, with flavors of maple, oak, vanilla, and a bit of char. Hints of clove and banana linger on the finish. It's a very good bourbon for the price, and welcomed back with its 9 year age statement.