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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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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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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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Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year
Distiller Score 92
Sweet and spicy notes of cinnamon, raisins, brownies, vanilla, oak, and maple are found on the nose. Honey, vanilla toffee, nuts, dark fruits, and baked apple pie greet you on the palate. Finish is LONG with plenty of spice and more baked apple pie drizzled with vanilla-laced honey.
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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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 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
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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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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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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon
Distiller Score 93
The nose will knock you off your feet. Lots of rye, barrel, heath bar and leather. The palate is ridiculously viscous, with cinnamon candies, rye, barrel, roasted vanilla bean and chocolate. The finish is long, smooth and robust with spice, roasted chestnuts and barrel.
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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Blood Oath Bourbon Pact No. 6
Distiller Score 92
Vanilla cream, peanuts, caramel, and apple peel are found on the nose. The bourbon is not too plush or oily with the high rye content bringing out a drier and tangy finish. The cognac barrels aren't super noticeable on the palate, but the cognac flavor comes through after you've tasted and exhaled. This experience is one you'll want to repeat making it a pleasant way to end an evening.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno