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Sazerac Rye 18 Year (Fall 2017)
Distiller Score 97
Lots of leather and dark rye spice on the nose so much that it is reminiscent of a saloon. Smells tough somehow. Apple skins and vanilla accompany the leather and rye. As to be expected these aromas translate on to the palate with the sweetness dialed down. Toasted vanilla and brown butter join in and the rye has a tangy finish. Damn good rye.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Westland Peat Week 2019
Distiller Score 89
Westland's Peat Week release strikes a marvelous balance between smoke and fruit, delivering a heavy dose of both. The peat is immediately evident on the aroma, but the palate also offers plum, caramelized sugar, sea salt, and vanilla. Smoke lingers sweetly on the palate for the finish. This one is extremely limited, but absolutely worth picking up.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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George T. Stagg Bourbon (Fall 2019)
Distiller Score 98
Lots of oak shows up on the nose along with char smoke and carnival candy--think popcorn, funnel cakes, and caramel-covered red apples. Moving on to the taste, it is less sweet than the nose may suggest displaying a savoriness that makes you just want to dive in. Water isn't necessary here, but if you do prefer it, just add a touch. The finish lasts for days so you can take your time with this one. Top pick in the BTAC for 2019, despite its lower than usual proof.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Westland Coldfoot Edition 1
Distiller Score 87
Coldfoot Ed. 1 definitely calls out for a cold night in the great outdoors. Aromas of savory stewed fruit and earthy mushrooms are densely packed together in the nose. A heavy, broth-y waft sets a dense backdrop as the spirit opens up. The palate opens with a dry crack of sage and apple followed by more heavy umami flavors. The finish is a bit tannic, like black walnut, but overall a very adventurous single malt.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Manatawny Still Works 7th Anniversary Single Malt Peated (Batch 21B)
Distiller Score 87
Butterscotch mixes with cigar smoke at the front of the nose, followed by sour cherries, citrus peel, and menthol. The palate offers sourdough pretzels, with honey, dried fruits, and fresh berries, all underpinned by black pepper and ashy fireplace. A warm, lengthy finish offers plenty of peat smoke and earthy soil backed up by ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Eagle Rare 17 Year Bourbon (Fall 2013)
Distiller Score 95
Complex doesn't cut it for the nose, with English breakfast tea, cherries, nutmeg, and cinnamon. A palate of tobacco, leather, almond, clove, and pepper finds its way to a truly lengthy finish of citrus, additional almond and a return visit from the cherries.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary Bourbon
Distiller Score 97
Strong aromatics such as peanut brittle, smoky vanilla, and both dried and fresh grass undertones strike you first. The bourbon isn't extraordinarily chewy, but there is smoke that seems to sidle next to both the fruity and spicy flavors on the palate. The whiskey continues to develop as it sits in your glass with notes such as menthol and cherry syrup. This is a whiskey that you want to spend time with which is a sentiment you have when you’re around the man this bourbon honors.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Knob Creek 15 Year Bourbon (2020 Release)
Distiller Score 94
The nose shows a swirl of caramel and chocolate, but there's a fair amount of char and oak as well showing some depth. Also, there's something savory here as well to help balance the sweet notes. The bourbon is tangy and spicy while being dry, but not too dry. Some herbal notes and cherry add some complexity and there's a touch of leather found as well. Overall the oak is really nicely integrated here. The middle is sweet and the finish is bitter. Enjoy on a stormy evening and find comfort in the glass.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year
Distiller Score 89
A nose of sun-dried cherries dipped in honey and a bowl of cinnamon-sprinkled cereal. The palate tastes of a melted Heath bar, vanilla saltwater taffy, and charred cinnamon. The finish shows charred wood, cinnamon sugar and wheat.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 6 (All Scenes)
Distiller Score 86
The nose is all spice upfront, with baking spices of cinnamon and cloves alongside strong rye spice, all ahead of raspberries, cereal grain, red wine, and vanilla extract. The palate is dry, with astringent oak, pine, light spearmint, black pepper, dark red fruits, and more rye spice. A medium-length finish showcases mint and dark chocolate a la mint chocolate chip ice cream, along with cinnamon, licorice, and yet more spice. (Review from Scene 3)
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Redwood Empire Rocket Top Bottled in Bond Rye (Spring 2016 Vintage)
Distiller Score 90
There's a warming spice element here along with cherry, leather, oak and dried herbs showing a fair amount of complexity. As you taste the rye is dry and mildly tannic with more barrel spices balancing things out. and the grains have a hearty quality to them. The length is moderately long and shows a bit of dark chocolate and tobacco. Overall, just a nuanced rye whiskey with some herbal elements and without all the sweet and vanilla notes you often see.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Wild Turkey Master's Keep Revival
Distiller Score 95
Strawberry jam on warm cornbread pulls you in on the nose, with red fruits, rye spice, cocoa powder and oak. The palate kicks off with vanilla, syrupy pancakes, baking spices, and black pepper, with milk chocolate and oak coming on late. A long-lasting finish showcases brown sugar, rich vanilla sweetness, and a dose of spearmint, along with leather, and more oak and spice. Very much an amplified, fruitier Wild Turkey.
Reviewed by Jake Emen