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Arran The Devil's Punch Bowl Chapter III The Fiendish Finale
Distiller Score 95
High-toned and mineral on the nose with ginger, fresh peach and citrus, and an unusual clay-like minerality. Spicy and warming on the palate with big notes of vanilla and cinnamon, candied apple and pear, white pepper and a waxy, oxidative, almost rancio quality. Balanced and harmonious at 53.4% abv, a little water helps the whole thing unwind and show additional layers of complexity
Reviewed by Duncan McRoberts
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Aberlour 16 Year Double Cask Matured
Distiller Score 90
The aromas pour forth with a rich and creamy nose of sweet juicy raisins, bold spice, mild oak and a prominent nuttiness. The mouth speaks of balance between the two finishes, first of ripe plum and a delicate nuttiness, the second of vanilla, toasted oak and delicate baking spices. This whisky draws a seductively long finish of honey, spice, vanilla and dried dark fruits, which will keep you longing for another sip.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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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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Scapa 16 Year
Distiller Score 87
The whisky is full of honey, vanilla, and malt. It feels full on your palate and continues with floral honey, cinnamon, and orange zest. There is a trace of char smoke on the finish along with some wood spices, but throughout the dram, the sea air is present.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Glengoyne 18 Year
Distiller Score 86
The first impression from the nose of this whisky is ‘generous’. There are so many fruits, fresh and dry, as well as soft spiciness that it is quite a vibrant invitation to taste. On the palate you get the same impression, although the wood gives just enough tannin to avoid a whisky that would be too sweet and easy otherwise. This dram is very pleasant, but even after a few minutes, the same fruity and spicy profile is all that is found with little depth or complexity. This is a very good dram, but not yet impressive.
Reviewed by Julien Le Doaré
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Auchroisk 10 Year Flora & Fauna
Distiller Score 88
The nose is heavy with lemon and malt, citrus-y and waxy like someone just cleaned a wood floor. On the palate, it's very dry. There is more spice than the nose indicates, with lots of licorice, orange zest, and white pepper. There's a whiff of smoke in there as well. A splash of water brings out salted caramel, pepper, and nuttiness.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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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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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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Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Red Wine Cask 19 Year
Distiller Score 86
The nose is light and sports honey, vanilla, apple, and toffee. In the mouth, it is spicy thanks to the influence of South American wine like Malbec, with additional notes of leather, pepper, stewed fruit, and chocolate. The finish is medium in length and brings additional hints of dry oak and a faint dash of smoke.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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The Glenrothes 1991
Distiller Score 89
Spice cake and honey are found on the nose, with licorice and something vaguely herbal. The mouth is a beautiful mix of flavors: butterscotch, nuts, bitter mint and orange peel, cream, stewed fruit, and oak. There's even some smokiness lurking in the shadows. Oak spice and gingerbread pop by for the long, enjoyable finish.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Glenmorangie Burgundy Wood Finish
Distiller Score 90
There's a very complex nose to this one, a swirl of crème brûlée, peppery spice, chocolate, and cherries all floating on top a whiff of salty sea air. In the mouth, it's a thick, well-balanced combination of oaky spice, red fruit, raisins, sea salt, and caramel. It's a warm, lingering finish full of dark fruit, oak, and cream.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Balblair 1989 2nd Release
Distiller Score 93
The aroma is filled with dark tea and fresh fruit such as orange and apricot, though the intensity is low. What came to mind as the whisky was tasted was a salted caramel apple dusted with crushed walnuts. The length on the finish is satisfying and what you should expect with a 20+ year old whisky.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno