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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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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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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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Yellow Spot 12 Year Single Pot Still
Distiller Score 96
The wine barrels have certainly shown influence on this whisky with a juicy red fruit filled nose and palate. Hidden in between the layers of fruit you'll discover a taste you may recognize if you've ever eaten Ferrero Rocher chocolate hazelnut candies. As you continue to taste, the fruity flavors deepen into toffee, dried Clementine, and bitter walnuts. This is less creamy than the Green Spot and finishes with a gentle bite from the proof.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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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
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Heaven Hill Select Stock Bourbon
Distiller Score 84
The high ABV makes itself immediately known in the nose, with a strong whiff of fiery spirit. Past that, there's orange oil, raisins, and something floral. In the mouth, it's fiery due to the high proof. Tamed by some water or left to breathe, one gets a very fruity bourbon, with apricots, banana, chocolate covered cherries, and caramel corn. Finish is hot, with some citrus bitterness. An odd bird, more ambitious than successful.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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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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Bushmills 21 Year Single Malt
Distiller Score 97
As Veruca Salt would say, "I want it now!" With the intensity of the sweet fruit and chocolate notes on the nose, could you blame her? The trail mix filled dram also has deep malt flavors with the texture creamy, not cloying. Towards the finish, the whiskey becomes dry and spicy. A comparable Scotch whisky would be almost double the price so snatch up what you can
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Teeling Silver Reserve 21 Year Single Malt
Distiller Score 93
Tropical fruits hit the senses with this whiskey, mango perhaps? Cooked banana? These notes continue on the palate with a bit of dried ginger, fresh grass, and pastry dough. Depending on your palate, this may be too fruit-forward for you, but I'd suggest trying this with a cheese plate for your dessert.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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The Glenrothes 1995
Distiller Score 91
For those that like their whiskies on the sweet side, step right up. This is a creamy and rich whisky with notes of almond covered toffee. Ripe apple fruits covered with cinnamon syrup and hints of orange zest round out the flavor profile.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno