The Top Rated Whiskeys From January 2017

Out of all of the whiskeys we reviewed in the first month of 2017, these ten grabbed the top scores!
Feb 01, 2017
  • 10
    88
    Vanilla & Sweet
    William Grant and Sons Master Blender, Brian Kinsman, blended this bold whisky to satisfy a consumer need--specifically for cola mixed drinks and cocktails. The whisky has a slightly higher alcohol percentage (46% ABV) and a top up of rye whisky helps to create a blend that can stand out in a drink. Availability limited to Canada.
  • 9
    88
    Spicy
    Made in Fort Collins, Colorado, Feisty Spirits creates unique small batch experimental whiskeys. Non-conformist in nature, the distillery produces a wide variety of different whiskeys using many different distilling methods. Their 100% rye is part of their elemental series, focusing on single grain expressions. These whiskeys are single barrel bottlings and available in Colorado.
  • 8
    89
    Peaty
    Currently only available in travel retail, QA is shorthand for "quercus alba" meaning "white oaks" in Latin. This is in reference to the fact that after the initial period of maturation in ex-bourbon barrels, it is tranfered to charred American white oak casks.
  • 7
    90
    Spicy & Vanilla
    This is a sourced rye whiskey bottled under the Templeton brand name. This 10-year old rye whiskey is bottled at 101 proof. Only 6,080 bottles were ever produced. It was released in October 2016 and sold in commemorative boxes.
  • 6
    90
    Herbal & Smoky
    This is an 18,000-bottle release for the second edition of Port Charlotte 10 Year Old. Port Charlotte is Bruichladdich's Heavily Peated line and this whisky clocks in at 40 PPM. The whisky was matured in first-fill bourbon, sherry, tempranillo and French wine casks.
  • 5
    90
    Peaty & Smoky
    A travel retail exclusive, this is from Bruichladdich and is a part of their Port Charlotte line up, a heavily-peated range. The CC:01 is aged in French oak which previously held Cognac (the CC is meant to refer to the use of Cognac Casks). There is no age-statement and the whisky is bottled at 57.8% ABV.
  • 4
    91
    Fruity & Rich
    The Edition Series from The Macallan consists of limited edition blends of the distillery's malt whisky that have been matured in variety of different types of casks. This expression, the second release in the series, is the result of the collaboration between Master Distiller Bob Dalgarno, and the Roca Brothers - Joseph, Joan, and Jordi - owners of the El Cellar de la Roca restaurant. Together, they selected seven casks sourced from 4 different cooperages in Spain, for the whisky to mature in prior to blending. This is bottled at 48.2% ABV.
  • 3
    92
    Rich & Smoky
    It is the second time Bruichladdich releases a 10-year-old Octomore. As for all the other peaty beasts of Octomore, this one shows an impressive PPM level (167). Matured in 50% ex-bourbon barrels and 50% grenache blanc wine casks, and bottled at cask strength. 18,000 bottles available worldwide.
  • 2
    94
    Rich & Vanilla
    Joining the Cognac and Sherry Cask Finished Bourbons, this is the third release in the Special Cask Finish Series from Nelson's Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, Tennessee. Barrels of high-rye bourbon, distilled mostly from a mash of corn, followed by 30% rye and aged for 6 to 9 years in new, charred American oak barrels were blended for finishing in casks previously used in the aging of Malmsey Madeira. Non-chill filtered, Belle Meade Bourbon Madeira Cask Finish is bottled at 45.2% ABV.
  • 1
    96
    Rich & Full Bodied
    J.P. Wiser's Union 52 whiskey is a blend of 4% 52 year-old single malt Scotch and 96% 16 year-old Canadian whiskies. It is bottled at 45% ABV. Available in British Columbia only.