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Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon (2014)
Distiller Score 98
Baking spices smacks the olfactory receptors as you waft this over-proof spirit. Next, ripe red and stone fruits follow with cacao and mild tobacco notes coming next. The palate is full of chocolate and caramel with a rich oily mouthfeel. The finish is less spicy than anticipated, with a medium-long length. The bottling tasted was from warehouse HW, the Barrel No. was 47-2J.
Reviewed by Dennis Gobis
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Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Four Wood Bourbon
Distiller Score 96
The nose on this bourbon couldn't be more complex. Vanilla, caramel, red wine, freshly chopped firewood, candied citrus, the list goes on. The first sip is like taking a drag off a slightly harsh cigar, and then instantly mellows. The palate then explodes and coats the mouth with sweet citrus, well integrated wood, cool smoke, and a non-cloying sweet, lingering finish. Gorgeous, meticulously complex, yet still approachable.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Brandy Cask Finish
Distiller Score 91
This long awaited whiskey starts off with a very breakfasty aroma: maple-covered granola with dried fruits, nuts, and a bit of milk chocolate. It has a certain rich smoothness that is almost silky along with more toasted nuts, caramel, and lovely baking spices. An all around solid whiskey to enjoy neat so you don't miss the raisin notes brought about by two years in brandy casks.
Reviewed by Nicole Gilbert
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Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2019)
Distiller Score 93
There is room here for each mash bill and yeast strain to express itself with equal stage time. The nose is brooding with tanned leather, rye bread and accents of mint. The palate is coating but not heavy with creamy flavors of maple and caramel apple down the middle and cinnamon and nutmeg along the sides. A late appearance of dry tannins reveals the influence of the oldest casks in the lot.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Four Roses Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Small Batch Bourbon (2017)
Distiller Score 94
The nose offers baking spices, oak, a range of vanillins, and overripe apples. The palate then starts lighter and sweeter than expected, with a ton more vanilla but also a tart side; think vanilla taffy. There's also butterscotch, orchard fruits, and berries. It gets a bit hot on the finish, but that's soon smoothed over by the underlying vanilla sweetness, with vanilla pudding, biscuit and oak, as well as cinnamon and cloves.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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George T. Stagg Bourbon (Fall 2020)
Distiller Score 96
The nose invites you in with caramel-stuffed chocolates, vanilla extract and sour cherries. The palate is rich and luscious, a slow-moving, sticky river of caramel, leading to peanut shells and coffee grounds. A sumptuous and lipsmacking, lengthy finish mixes indulgent milk chocolate with baking spices and oak, and is worth simply closing your eyes and savoring.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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William Larue Weller Bourbon (Fall 2015)
Distiller Score 98
As you taste this bourbon you may be reminded of the dessert scene in "Young Frankenstein" when Igor is accused of making "yummy sounds." Vanilla, milk chocolate, almond and Bing cherries (collectively, the flavors of a tonka bean if you've ever tasted them) waft from the glass and onto the palate. Comforting, buttery shortbread, honeysuckle and the most delicate acidity of lemon oil follow. Given its considerable proof, it's hardly noticeable, perhaps distracted by its truly yummy and balanced flavors. Mmmmmmmm.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2016)
Distiller Score 96
A spicy nose soon reveals orchard fruit and ripe apples, along with vanilla. Dark brown sugar comes strong on the palate, with vanilla, white chocolate, and tart cherries. The finish is quite sweet and rich, then moves into drier oak with cinnamon, but the sweetness continues to linger and never leaves. Incredibly smooth especially at the proof.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Heaven's Door Redbreast Master Blenders' Edition
Distiller Score 92
The nose offers a combination of vanilla beans and toffee, with prunes, walnuts, and honey roasted peanuts atop an oaky undertone. The palate is full and rich, with salted caramel and pumpernickel bread, as well as fresh plums and berries alongside sugary dried fruits. A big finish offers brown sugar and cinnamon, along with candied ginger, leather, and dark chocolate.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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High West A Midwinter Night's Dram
Distiller Score 92
The robust spicy rye notes are still present in the glass, but as it sits, red fruit tempers that just a bit. As you taste, the spicy rye comes again to the forefront along with vanilla and more red fruit. The finish is warm and spice filled with hints of chocolate and fresh whipped cream with a dash of white pepper.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Wild Turkey Master's Keep Revival
Distiller Score 95
Strawberry jam on warm cornbread pulls you in on the nose, with red fruits, rye spice, cocoa powder and oak. The palate kicks off with vanilla, syrupy pancakes, baking spices, and black pepper, with milk chocolate and oak coming on late. A long-lasting finish showcases brown sugar, rich vanilla sweetness, and a dose of spearmint, along with leather, and more oak and spice. Very much an amplified, fruitier Wild Turkey.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Belle Meade Bourbon Sherry Cask Finish
Distiller Score 92
Plenty of sherry and wine fruit on the nose, from that Oloroso cask, along with caramel, from the bourbon itself. Velvety, silky mouthfeel, and smooth on the palate, with a wonderful caramel and vanilla sweetness. Hints of spice, plum, cloves, molasses and brown sugar lurking in background. A light, quick burn fades to a pleasant warming on the finish.
Reviewed by Jake Emen