Tastes
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Springbank 10 Year
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed March 4, 2024 (edited June 24, 2024)Review #050 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: aged 10 years, ex-bourbon and ex-sherry, 2023 bottling Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Musty and sweet are the two words that best describe this. Juicy apples, kiwis, and lemon citrus lead, but it also immediately reminds me of my grandfather’s workshop. Hay, old wooden planks, buckets of nails, chain saw bar oil, and the faint electrical smell of a power tool that’s been running for a long time. Palate: 35/40 Very enjoyable and oily texture. Primarily I get grain cereal, but also some charcoal, a mild saltiness, olive oil, and a hint of tropical fruits like pineapple and nectarine. It definitely imparts an overwhelmingly earthy flavor profile, though I can’t really point to why that is. Finish: 33/40 Medium finish. Kicks off with some burnt toast, closer to the back of the throat very interesting, but that departs as quickly as it arrived. Those tropical citrus notes turn sweeter, more akin to honey now, while in the background I get the first gentle whiffs of sweet smoke. It ends on a mildly bitter note, like one would find in dark chocolate, but without any of the chocolate flavor, just the bitterness. It’s not unpleasant, and if anything makes me want another sip to quench my thirst. With Water: A couple drops of water does wonders, it really opens up the palate to some of that sweetness I was picking up in the nose. Apples, brown sugar, and cherries are evident now, and they meld nicely with the other flavors. The sweetness also carries into the finish which now has some white pepper notes added on the back half. Total: 85/100 Final thoughts: There’s so much complexity in this dram, it truly is a great spirit. My only complaint is lack of availability. It’s too bad Springbank isn’t available in my home control state, so I try to snipe the occasional bottles when I see them sub $100 in my work travels. Price: $99 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.99.0 USD per Bottle -
Review #049 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 49% Comments: NAS, finished in Caribbean rum casks, from an undisclosed Islay distillery Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Tawny color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Really enjoyable, savory and sweet, full to dripping and sizzling smoked meat, also brown sugar and vanilla, with hints of charcoal and some citrus in the background, like someone cutting up tropical fruits next to the smoker. Palate: 25/40 A little mellow on the palate, moderately sweet molasses mixing with sooty smoke and very salty bacon. Maybe some caramel too… make that salted caramel to help account for the salt-forward flavor. Mouthfeel is also noticeably thin. Finish: 28/40 Medium length. There’s a moment where it becomes a little lighter and sweeter with grilled pineapple and honeycomb, but it’s brief and gives way to bitter ashes and black pepper. It’s not an unpleasant ride, and ends with a peculiar and mildly sweet smoked coconut aftertaste, which I rather like and think may be one of the highlights. With Water: A couple drops of water opens up the nose to big vanilla notes, also getting past the smoke to find some nutty banana bread in there. That hint of coconut on the finish is also a little more evident. Total: 69/100 Final thoughts: I wanted to enjoy this bottle so much more than I actually did. It’s fine but I’d struggle to drink a second dram of it in one sitting and I won’t be buying another bottle once this one is gone. I’ve read a number of comments online from people who claim they have the “inside scoop” that this is Ardbeg, but I’m unsure that Ardbeg (owned by Louis Vuitton) would sell casks of their whisky to an IB in any volume. I also don’t see a strong correlation here between this dram and Ardbeg Drum based on my recollection of that spirit, but suppose a side-by-side comparison is in order now! Price: £45 Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.45.0 GBP per Bottle
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Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed January 15, 2024 (edited February 28, 2024)Review #048 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 44% Comments: NAS, marriage of ex-bourbon barrels, ex-olorosso butts, and ex-Cabernet Sauvignon casks Tasted after: Dalmore Port Wood Reserve Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 18/20 Very fruit forward, juicy crushed raspberries, ripe plums, sugary cherry frosting, milk chocolate, banana bread, vanilla, and cinnamon. It’s very sweet and balanced and enjoyable to nose. Palate: 30/40 Initially very dull on the palate, freshly baked warm wheat bread and walnuts, but nothing really pops. After a moment there’s some oranges, just a hint of plumbs, dark chocolate, and some caramel. I really wish some of those bold juicy fruits from the nose would make an appearance here, because while it’s nice, it’s still just a bit dull. Finish: 31/40 Medium length. It could be that it’s because I’m accustomed to sipping this when smoking a cigar, but I always get a hint of tobacco smoke at the onset of the finish. Some brown sugar is introduced here, and I also get hints of cinnamon, salted nuts, and orange peel. The ending flavor left behind is a bit bitter. With Water: Baking spices are added to the palate and the plumb flavor is more prevalent. These are a welcome “pop” of flavor. The finish pays the price though by being noticeably shortened and taking on a more intense bitter nutty flavor. Total: 79/100 Final thoughts: It’s important to mention that I’m rating this whisky here as a stand-alone product. This is always a fun bottle to break out when smoking cigars with my buddies, and I keep one on hand for that (if I can find it on sale), and pretty much no other reason. It’s a completely different whisky when paired with a cigar, it becomes sweeter and does a terrific job balancing out the bitter tobacco smoke, but it’s not a bottle I’d ever reach for to sip on inside as a post-dinner dram. Therefore my recommend and buy comments below are situational and pertain to enjoying with a cigar, which is not how I graded it in this review (that’s me acknowledging the inconsistency). Honestly I think the distillery does a grave disservice to this spirit by chill filtering it and bottling below 46%, but I’ll continue to purchase as long as I can find it below $150 or until I find something else which does an equally good job at a better price point. Price: $145 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.145.0 USD per Bottle -
Dalmore Port Wood Reserve
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed January 15, 2024 (edited February 28, 2024)Review #047 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46.5% Comments: NAS, American white oak maturation and tawny port finish Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Burnt umber color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Lots of fruit notes, predominantly I get cherries, raisins, plumbs, and strawberries. There’s sugary notes too including brown sugar, molasses, and milk chocolate. There’s a good amount going on here, but it’s still very inviting and somehow a bit subtle at the same time. Palate: 35/40 Stewed prunes immediately come to mind on the first sip. None of the fruit flavors are fresh, it’s all dank and cooked and fermented and delicious, almost syrupy but not in an overly sweet way. There’s some oak tannins, milk chocolate, and cinnamon after a moment. On the palate it goes from being rather dark and rich to very light and airy, reminding me a bit of the sweet but finish to a dark soda like a cola or root beer. Finish: 31/40 Medium length finish. More oak spice here before ending on a nutty and creamy milk chocolate note. It’s simple but enjoyable and just the right length for what it’s offering. With Water: A couple drops dulls the flavors on the palate, reminds me a bit more of cream soda now. More walnut flavor on the finish and also a hint now of sea salted caramels. Total: 83/100 Final thoughts: This review is on the neck pour, and it’s truthfully the only Dalmore I’ve really enjoyed besides the Dalmore Cigar Malt. Not awesome value for what this bottle offers, but I was able to steal it by combining some sales and coupons so I’m happy with what I got for the price I paid. I’ve also yet to find a Dalmore that is a solid buy at MSRP. Overall this is a nice port bomb, very flavorful and an easy drinker. Would be elevated by having a more lengthy and complex finish. Price: $77 Would recommend: yes Would buy: maybe Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.77.0 USD per Bottle -
Black Flannel Distilling Black Gold
American Single Malt — USA
Reviewed January 4, 2024 (edited February 26, 2024)Review #046 Type: American single malt Proof: 43% Comments: distilled from unhopped stout, aged a minimum of two months, matured in heavily charred American white oak casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Chestnut color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Cinnamon, coffee grounds, butterscotch, and overripe bananas. This honestly reminds me a bit of a Guinness, or rather what a Guinness would be with some additional heat and depth. Palate: 30/40 Vanilla, dark chocolate, and spicy oak tannins stand out most. I also get some molasses and coconut after letting it rest for a little bit. It’s very smooth on the palate, almost too smooth and a bit dull. Finish: 34/40 Big stout flavor front and center, here is where the flavor pops and this spirit really shines! Finish is medium-long, which for some reason surprised me. Slowly this transitions to bitter baking cocoa and a hint of chili peppers before becoming ashy and salty. Really nice. With Water: On the nose I’m now getting crips green pear and… watermelon rinds? It’s a uniquely sweet and also bitter aroma that wasn’t there before. The palate is unchanged but there’s some additional chili pepper heat in the finish. Total: 79/100 Final thoughts: Overall this is a solid whisky. I can’t get over how much the finish reminds me of having just swallowed a sip of a barrel-aged stout. I’ll attribute that to not enough time in the cask to get a proper amount of wood influence. It’s an enjoyable and easy sipper, but lacks complexity. It’s not something I’d seek out but I definitely know folks who’d be very happy with this spirit. Ultimately I’m very grateful to my friend Chris who got me this bottle, and grateful for the opportunity to open and share the first couple pours with him. Price: gift Would recommend: maybe Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less. -
Glenlivet 18 Year Batch Reserve
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed November 9, 2023 (edited May 8, 2024)Review #045 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 40% Comments: aged 18 years, first and second fill American oak and ex-sherry casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs start forming quickly. Nose: 15/20 Baking spices, strawberries, plumbs, crunchy pears, and butterscotch. Initially it had a harsh alcohol forward nose, but that dissipated after letting it rest about 15 minutes. Palate: 30/40 Mouthfeel is a little thin, and I’m not getting any big flavors standing out. I get honey, applesauce, brown sugar, grain cereal, and orange zest. The flavors play together nicely but it’s very mild. Finish: 33/40 Medium length finish. Chili pepper heat kicks things off, and as that fades it leaves behind orange citrus before transitioning to vanilla and cinnamon. Ends on a semi-bitter floral note. With Water: Water brings out some additional stone fruit flavors to the palate, plumbs and peaches. The finish ends on a salty note now and the floral notes are gone. Total: 78/100 Final thoughts: Saw this lonely bottle sitting on the shelf in the hotel bar, and couldn’t pass it up when the bartender told me the price. In fact I ordered a double, and I’ve had much worse for the price. Glad I had the opportunity to try this one, it was enjoyable to drink but I’m a bit disappointed by how mellow it is. The bottle was below 3/4 (when I usually hurry up to finish mine) and who knows how long it’s been open, so that could be a factor. This might be good for someone getting their feet wet with scotch, but I can also think of others that are more enjoyable for a lower price point. Price: $15 pour, my local liquor store sells these bottles for $150 Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.15.0 USD per Pour -
Glenfarclas 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed November 5, 2023 (edited July 21, 2024)Review #044 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 12 years, European oak oloroso sherry maturation Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs don’t start forming moderately quickly. Nose: 16/20 Apples, sticky raisins, caramel, and warm banana bread. Palate: 28/40 Simple but nice. Mostly I get oak spices and tannins, but also getting subtle hints of salted dark chocolates, lemon zest, and dinner rolls. Finish: 30/40 Vanilla and butterscotch, for just a moment there’s chocolate covered cherries and maybe a hint of coconut, then ending on an earthy and salty note. Lots of good sweet flavors without being sickeningly sweet. The finish is moderately short and non-complex, but also has no noticeable alcohol burn. With Water: Short flight and was cut short by beginning our descent so wasn’t able to try. I’ll assess and update the next time I’m able to snipe a free upgrade to first class! Total: 74/100 Final thoughts: Thanks United Airlines for a free double pour at 32,000 feet somewhere between Burlington VT and Newark NJ. I guess all that work travel is finally starting to pay off… I’m surprised by how little sherry influence this has given 12 years of olorosso maturation. The oak influence is a lot more noticeable. Guessing this may be a byproduct of being watered down to 43% ABV and perhaps the use of 2nd and 3rd fill barrels. I feel like I’d enjoy this much more at +50% ABV. Price: complimentary with first class upgrade Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less. -
Glenfiddich Fire & Cane
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed September 26, 2023 (edited May 8, 2024)Review #043 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: NAS, made with peated barley, ex-bourbon maturation and finished in ex-rum casks, experimental series #04 Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Honey, smoke, and green apples mostly. Continued nosing also yields sticky raisins and molasses. Palate: 27/40 Charcoal and heavily burnt toast stand out most. There’s also cinnamon, hints of red apple, toffee, and vanilla, maybe a little asphalt too. Finish: 28/40 Short finish. Starts with a big puff of campfire smoke, but it doesn’t last long. Gives way to some chili peppers, then turns salty before ending with mild bites of vanilla. With Water: A drop of water brings some additional brown sugar sweetness and grapefruit citrus to the palate, but also reduces the smokiness of the finish. Total: 71/100 Final thoughts: I wasn’t impressed with the last Glenfiddich experimental bottle I picked up (IPA Cask) but I saw this one on the shelf at a clearance price that was too good to pass up so I rolled the dice on it. It doesn’t make for an impressive dram but it’s definitely drinkable and was a good value for the price I paid. It went down easy when a friend of mine broke into it with me the other night and there’s not much left now… Price: $35 Would recommend: no Would buy: maybe Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.35.0 USD per Bottle -
Review #043 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 57.8% Comments: NAS on bottle but distilled in 2016 and bottled March 2022 so likely aged 5 or 6 years, bottle 128/312, Spanish Oloroso single cask Tasted after: Ardnamurchan AD/ Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, it slowly thickens but legs are very slow to form. Nose: 18/20 Milk chocolate, raspberry jam, candied orange peel, campfire ashes, espresso, and a faint hint of asphalt sealant. Palate: 35/40 Cinnamon and honey dominate, dark chocolate, raisins, and a wisp of smoke. Finish: 36/40 Medium-long finish. Surprisingly not very hot at all given that it’s cask strength. More honey, fades slowly into a very interesting salty ashes flavor, then oak wood, and ending with my mouth holding the bitter-creamy flavor of recently swallowed extra dark chocolate. With Water: A drop of water brings some additional sweetness to the palate with peaches and raspberries, and introduces some black pepper to the finish. Total: 89/100 Final thoughts: I purchased this bottle while on a trip through Quebec for a hockey tournament, and am very happy with it. It doesn’t offer anywhere near as much value as the AD/, but it’s certainly a couple steps above and it was fun to try a single sherry cask immediately after and see the similarities between the two. I really enjoy how they’ve utilized blockchain technology to enable full transparency of the distillation process of each individual bottle: https://ardnamurchan-distillery.co.uk/newBottles-detail/157878 Price: $199 CAD Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.199.0 CAD per Bottle
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Ardnamurchan AD/
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed September 24, 2023 (edited June 13, 2024)Review #041 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46.8% Comments: technically NAS but compiled of casks distilled in 2015 and 2016 and bottled April 2022 so likely aged 5 or 6 years, bottle 1,493/25,200 of AD/04.22.02, blend of peated and unpeated malts, ex-bourbon and ex-sherry Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Burnished color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, it slowly thickens but legs are very slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Sweet and zesty lemon squares, a nice gentle peat smoke, pears, vanilla, and honey. Palate: 34/40 Nice almost milky mouth feel, also very little alcohol burn. Surprisingly simple in the mouth, I get toffee, a wisp of smoke, a dash of salt, and a hint of orange citrus. Despite the lack of complexity it’s still well balanced and very enjoyable. Finish: 36/40 Medium length. Oak spice quickly yields to mild chili pepper heat, then cinnamon and hearty wheat bread. By the end my mouth has a mildly cool sensation which reminds me of having recently chewed on a mint leaf. With Water: A drop of water brings out some additional saltiness to the finish. Total: 87/100 Final thoughts: This is a very nice bottle, being slightly smokey, flavorful, yet not overly complex. It always seems to hit the spot regardless of what I’m in the mood for. Personally I think it’s an incredible value at its current price point as well. This one will likely be a permanent addition to my shelf, and I really enjoy how they’ve utilized blockchain technology to enable full transparency of the distillation process of each individual bottle: https://ardnamurchan-distillery.co.uk/newBottles-detail/184845 Price: $48 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.48.0 USD per Bottle
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