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Glenfiddich 18 Year
Distiller Score 90
If ever there was a whisky that brings to mind "liquid fruitcake", this is it. The dried candied fruits, ginger, vanilla, baking spices and toffee just screams "fruitcake" from the top of the highest mountain. In fact, if you happen to get one for the holidays, do yourself and family a favor and pour a glass or two on top of the cake for a lovely treat.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Glenmorangie 18 Year
Distiller Score 93
Desserts galore come to mind with this whisky. The aroma is bursting of fresh lemon hand pies with the taste profile moving towards cherry pie with a rich, buttery crust. As you continue down the dessert list, crème brûlée with its just torched sugar crust is paired with a cinnamon honey and citrus hot toddy. Even with all of these sweet, heavy descriptors, there is a zing to this whisky that keeps it fresh and alive.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Glengoyne 21 Year
Distiller Score 90
The initial impressions are those of a classic sherry-cask-aged whisky, with plenty of fruits, like red dried plums in this instance, and toasted barley. As it reaches your palate, it feels very smooth and has no prickly, burning effect. The aromas are very well integrated, leaving an overall seamless experience. This Glengoyne is mostly fruity, floral and gently spicy. The finish could have been longer, but at the end of the day, this is a very successful whisky.
Reviewed by Julien Le Doaré
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Glenlivet 18 Year
Distiller Score 90
Ever heard of Apple Brown Betty? Well, that's what this smells and tastes like. To enlighten, Apple Brown Betty is a baked dessert consisting of, you guessed it, apples! It also has bread, butter, and brown sugar all layered around the apples and when it is baked, the bread gets nice and toasty. In fact, why don't you serve this (or pie, or crisp) with a glass of this whisky and thank us later!
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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BenRiach 20 Year
Distiller Score 92
There is a noticeable char smoke, but more so from a smoked charcuterie, a sweet smoke. The whisky starts off creamy and vanilla sweet on the palate and then becomes slightly bitter with nut shells, cinnamon, and bitter chocolate.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Glenlivet 21 Year Archive
Distiller Score 89
The sherry wood influence is clear as day on the nose with fruitcake and maple syrup front and center. There is also a touch of sandalwood incense to be had. The taste has raisins and nuts as you might expect from the barrel aging as well. The whisky is sweet for most of the ride but finishes with wood dust and spice.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Glenmorangie Duthac
Distiller Score 91
The aroma is big and bold with a nose dominated by pear, toffee, candied nuts, and baking spices--very much a dessert dram. The palate follows suit with milk chocolate, nuts, cloves, and butterscotch. The finish brings raisins, leather, and orange peel.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Edradour Straight From The Cask Port Wood Finish 12 Year
Distiller Score 95
At cask strength it is slow to open but rounds out beautifully after about 10 minutes. Take time to savor the quality and richness of this distillation. A robust aroma of marzipan and baked dark fruits leads to a rich and oily palate with a touch of cocoa and coffee. The fruity finish is lengthy with just a touch of pepper.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Macallan Fine Oak 17 Year
Distiller Score 90
Aromas reminiscent of autumn are initially what is found here. Apples, brown sugar and wood spices. Upon tasting you get caramel and almonds. The texture is less chewy than their 18 year exclusive Sherry aged whisky, but it's still got some body. There is a hint of char smoke with honey and more dried fruits on the finish.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Aberlour 18 Year Double Cask Matured
Distiller Score 92
The sherry is prominent in the nose, but don’t be fooled, this is still whisky. Big with fruit, the nose boasts ripe peach and apricot, warm vanilla and plump raisins, followed by a luscious salted caramel and hints of red apple. Ripe juicy orange, chocolate covered raisins, peach marmalade and vanilla spice cake round out this supple whisky that finishes long and seductive with cocoa, cinnamon and orange zest. Though this would be the perfect single malt to sip by the fire, don’t overlook this as a decadent pairing with triple crème or nutty cheeses, dried fruits, and duck liver mousse.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Compass Box Delilah's XXV
Distiller Score 89
The nose is creamy, with vanilla frosting, butter, and dark brown sugar, along with stewed fruits, and syrupy apricots and plums. The palate has an oily mouthfeel, showcasing more of those sherried fruits, along with black pepper, leather, and pinewood. The finish starts with a sugary, fruity flourish, which fades quickly, hitting a brief sharp note of spearmint, and finally leaving with lingering black pepper and dry oak.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Compass Box Hedonism
Distiller Score 97
Having aged in only 1st fill ex-Bourbon barrels, the whisky definitely shows aromas from the wood such as coconut cream and vanilla, but there are more layers to explore. The creaminess of the whisky is very sensual and as it sits in your mouth baking spices are revealed. The name "Hedonism" suits this whisky just fine.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno