Tastes

43% Color added Chill-filtered Nose: rich fruits, both bright and dark, including honey and vanilla; notes of apple, raspberry and pear. A slight smoke and spices, including nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon. Palate: rich and medium bodied, with notes of cinnamon crisp and apple pie. Dark honey; raisin; a slight sweet smoke; a touch of mint. Some spices, too, lurking beneath the surface, including hints of clove, nutmeg, coriander and vague grassiness; a nice balanced oakiness appears just near the end of the development. Finish: short medium, with sweetness like peaches and pears; cinnamon sugar, dark chocolate and butter toffee. Value: $125-150 USD. Around a standard price for and 18 year these days. Final thoughts: This is a nicely refined and relaxed sipper offering some complexities and is dangerously drinkable. But I think there are better 18’s out there at the same price or for a few bucks cheaper, and if Highland Park is your jam, gimme the 12 year old. Score: 3.5/5 Recommend trying or buying a bottle at a good price.

53.7% abv Nose: rye spice of course; dill; vanilla; slight brine. Taste: full sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, caramel and vanilla at first, giving way to a full hit of rye spice; as it develops it dries, with assorts spices like dill, Serrano pepper and black pepper. Finish: medium-long and drying, with slight toffee and peanut brittle rounding out an intense rye spiciness which leaves your tongue tingling. Peppermint and spearmint finish the deal. Value: $45-$60 USD (if you can find it). It’s worth it. Final thoughts: while tough to get your hands on, this cask strength rye checks all the boxes of a stellar mid-shelf whiskey. Great neat and with a drop of water, I could also see this standing up well in a cocktail. If the dill note doesn’t turn you off, this complex rye is a must buy. Score: 4/5 Highly recommend buying a bottle

46.3% Unchillfiltered Natural color Nose: chocolate covered raisins but good ones; deep dark fruits like plum and fig; very dense and concentrated Taste: full, rich and mouth watering; big, sweet fruits take center stage like apple, pear, mango, currants pineapple and orange; chocolate; slight pepper, chili and spearmint and a whisp of faint smoke and brine. Finish: medium length; dark fruit slowly drying to a warm, rounded and drying spiciness along with chocolate and dark fruit and a hint of vanilla-frosted pastry. Value: $125-150 in the U.S. and worth it. Final thoughts: this is a deep, concentrated and complex dram which demands (and earns) your patience. The more time and focus you give it the more rewards are revealed. One of the better 18 year olds you can buy. Score: 4.5/5 Highly recommend buying a bottle