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Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength
Distiller Score 88
Very sweet and somewhat forceful on the nose, this whisky is chock full of vanilla, Ceylon cinnamon, and creamy tropical fruit. The palate is deeply layered, with flavors both exotic and familiar: mango lassi, wintergreen, candied pineapple, licorice root and sweet toffee cookie. Adding water tames the heat somewhat, but also mutes some of the flamboyant tropical flavors and brings out a more conventional cereal background note.
Reviewed by Duncan McRoberts
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Hibiki 17 Year
Distiller Score 92
On the nose: honey, brown sugar, caramel, juicy pear and flowers. The taste is surprising and complex. Somehow light and rich, very warm with herbal notes, cocoa, and hazelnut. There is also an earthy, salty character, like a blue cheese or a Highland single malt. A bit of water brings out some chocolate. Finish is exceptionally warm and soothing.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength
Distiller Score 88
While extremely light on the palate, the flavors are very deep and complex. The grapey-ness of the wine influence really comes through, mixed with the cereal notes of the malted barley and the vanilla from the oak itself. The finish reminds a bit of a root-beer-flavored Life Saver candy, which makes it a fun sip. A drop of water makes the hot finish a bit more creamy.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013
Distiller Score 94
The stellar influence of sherry gives way to raisins, plums, figs, dates, and Maraschino cherries all dipped in dark, bitter chocolate. The aforementioned notes only intensify on the palate, now joined by cinnamon and pepper. The finish is long, as a battle between sweet, bitter, and sour notes ensues.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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Sullivans Cove Double Cask
Distiller Score 88
This expression is probably the easiest drinking of the three expressions. Ripe orange zest and vanilla in the nose and fore palate lend to an interesting spiciness similar to candied ginger. The mid-palate lends more to the French port cask and becomes zestfully sweet in a hazelnut and bitter chocolate finish.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Nikka Miyagikyo 12 Year
Distiller Score 87
There is a quiet nature about this whisky. Afternoon tea time comes to mind with vanilla sweet cakes and honeyed tea. The cereal notes are mild yet pleasant with the finish dry and wood spice filled.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Yamazaki 12 Year
Distiller Score 91
Did someone say "breakfast"? Buttered toast and cereal with a dollop of honey and vanilla are found here. There's also some orange notes playing along in the background with the faintest hint of dried cranberries. A subtle smokiness can be found on the finish — not so much in an earthy peaty sense, but more like a just lit incense candle.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Kavalan Ex-Bourbon Oak Single Malt
Distiller Score 86
Initially, you will experience barrel notes such as menthol, coconut, and vanilla. The palate continues with these flavors and adds toasted cereal to the mix. The whisky is tangy and finishes relatively smooth with wood spices relatively mild.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Navazos-Palazzi Palo Cortado Cask Grain Whisky (July 2014)
Distiller Score 87
The salted walnut aroma from the sherry influence is immediately apparent on the nose. On the palate, a creamy caramel sweetness wafts in with more salty nut flavors, pineapple, mango and sweet spice. It's a sweet style of whisky, but with just enough weight and spicy grip to keep it elegant and satisfying.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Sullivans Cove American Oak Bourbon Cask
Distiller Score 89
Knowing that it uses new American Oak casks and that the whisky tasted for review was aged exactly 13 years to the day, you might expect that this whisky would be a little more full-bodied. It has a pretty high vanilla character all the way through, with Asian pear and Gala apples reigning throughout the first sip. Soon after, the character develops and takes an almost 180 degree turn to Tellicherry black peppercorns with the whisky finishing on the slightly smoky side.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Navazos-Palazzi Palo Cortado Cask Malt Whisky (July 2014)
Distiller Score 92
The sweetness and sherry influence is more subtle than the single grain version by this same producer. There is more tart fruit flavor and spicy complexity mixed in with vanilla and caramel. The finish is deliciously reminiscent of salted, dark chocolate covered pretzels. Best midnight snack ever!
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Crown Royal Cask No. 16
Distiller Score 88
It's like drinking fruit cake. Super sweet, with brown sugar, gingerbread, dates, raisins, prunes and dried figs, maybe some apricot for the slightest bit of acid balance. The Cognac influence definitely comes through with a brandied texture. If you have a sweet palate, this is for you. If you don't, it probably isn't.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster