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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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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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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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Amrut Intermediate Sherry
Distiller Score 91
A layered nose of spiced Christmas fruit cake and toffee with figs and jam. The bourbon casks detonate to contain what could have been a sherry bomb. Loads of vanilla and arid oak offer a counterpoint to the juicy sherry. The finish is stretched allowing the spicy hit to dwindle into the natural caramels compliments of the ex-bourbon casks. An impressive single malt.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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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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Kavalan Sherry Oak Single Malt
Distiller Score 77
Can you hear Steve Perry singing, "Oh Sherry?" If you are a sherry lover, this is the whisky for you. Kavalan Sherry Cask is deeply aromatic and floral and has sherry written all over it. With the tropical climate and angel's share taking five times that of Scotland, aging whisky is a bit tricky here. The finish is perhaps a bit too chewy and tannic.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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Johnett Swiss Single Malt Whisky
Distiller Score 83
If ever you have tried their fruit liqueurs before, you cannot help but think of Mirabelle and pear eaux-de-vie when you smell this whisky. On the palate, the fruitiness is still the main impression, along with soft barley flavors. The use of small column-still is key in the style which is very smooth, creamy, and sweet, though there is a dry, woody touch on the finish. This would be perfect after dinner with your dessert or for breakfast with pancakes.
Reviewed by Julien Le Doaré
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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
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Mackmyra Moment Bärnsten
Distiller Score 90
A gourmet expression with plenty of dark berries, toffee and red wine influence. The mouth is without surprise--incredibly sweet and if you have no idea of what cloudberry was, you then find out! A wonderful fruity bouquet for drammers with a sweet tooth.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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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