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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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Parker's Heritage Wheat Whiskey 13 Year
Distiller Score 94
Heaven Hill seems to have turned their Bernheim Wheat Whiskey up to 11 with this special release. Almost twice the age, this is the bigger and bolder older sibling with caramel, vanilla, and milk chocolate notes dominating without venturing into carnival candy land. The barrel spices are well integrated with just a slight cinnamon prickle towards the finish. Adding water expands these flavors, but isn't absolutely necessary.
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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Blanton's Single Barrel Silver Edition
Distiller Score 89
Classic nose for a Blanton’s, with maybe a softer approach than the Gold and Straight From The Barrel bottlings (both only available outside the US). Aromas of tropical fruits like pineapple come through a first layer of honey. The palate is very smooth with more fruit, this time including quince and mandarins. There are enough soft spices such as cinnamon and vanilla to give structure to the whiskey and the finish is perfectly sweet and smooth.
Reviewed by Julien Le Doaré
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Jim Beam Signature Craft Brown Rice Bourbon 11 Year
Distiller Score 89
An exceptionally pleasant nose full of brown sugar, toasted marshmallow, dark fruit, and honey. The taste boasts caramel and oak, candied walnuts, plums, and even an odd but not unwelcome tartness. It's rich and oily, and there's spicy wood and caramel on the finish, which is warm and medium-length.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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High West Bourye (2015 Release)
Distiller Score 89
The spirit opens with spiced honey and caramel followed by whiffs of vanilla bean. Baked pear commands the glass on tasting; imagine the fruit drizzled with creamy toffee/butterscotch and dusted with white pepper for a lilting accent. The moderately long finish offers up oak and toasty spice that the incautious might be tempted to call curry-like, a quality, real or imagined, that helps make for a mean Perfect Manhattan.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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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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Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Finish
Distiller Score 84
The nose bursts with sweet notes of lavender and cinnamon which underlie the tones of baked cherry pie in this garnet colored whiskey. Clove studded orange peel and nutmeg lead to a rich, full bodied mouthfeel and flavor. The pinot noir barrel is easily recognized by the rich spiced-berry notes in the finish.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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William Larue Weller Bourbon (Fall 2013)
Distiller Score 96
A nose full of caramel, molasses and maple sugar candy gives way to the palate of seeded fruit on toast with butter and cinnamon sugar. The finish is long and complex, with light tobacco, leather and more cinnamon sugar.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Lost Prophet 22 Year Bourbon
Distiller Score 90
Sweet banana bread, vanilla and cinnamon draw you in, and tart apple, leather and espresso see you out the door. As can sometimes be expected with older whiskeys, the finish is a bit musty and drying. However, there are substantial reasons to keep on sipping and hang out with this creamy, full-bodied whiskey for a spell.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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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 (2017)
Distiller Score 92
This takes the Four Roses fruit & floral character to the extreme with a nose of plum, fig and apricot jam plus tart cherry and dry grains. The palate is fruity and sweet with a balance from coconut, leather and hints of lavender and green apple. Finish begins with sweet fruit followed by leather and pepper, plus cinnamon and clove.
Reviewed by Tim Knittel