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Tyrconnell 16 Year Oloroso & Moscatel Cask Finish
Distiller Score 92
This Irish single malt emerges slowly from the glass with a summer-like blend of fruit, herbs, and flowers. On the palate, its off-to-the-races with loads of dried fruit, powdered sugar, light chili spice and even a salty note to close out the finish. An even hand with the Oloroso & Moscatel cask finishing makes this an exciting whiskey to explore.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Bushmills 21 Year Single Malt
Distiller Score 97
As Veruca Salt would say, "I want it now!" With the intensity of the sweet fruit and chocolate notes on the nose, could you blame her? The trail mix filled dram also has deep malt flavors with the texture creamy, not cloying. Towards the finish, the whiskey becomes dry and spicy. A comparable Scotch whisky would be almost double the price so snatch up what you can
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Waterford Rathclogh Edition 1.1
Distiller Score 89
Raspberry-filled dark chocolate truffles kick off the nose, along with cacao and coffee grounds. The palate shifts gears towards fruitiness, with raspberry sorbet, peaches and cream, and dried apricots. Moving to the finish you'll find vanilla wafers, black pepper, and a big bowl of fruit salad, alongside softer notes of wood spice and tannins.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Yellow Spot 12 Year Single Pot Still
Distiller Score 96
The wine barrels have certainly shown influence on this whisky with a juicy red fruit filled nose and palate. Hidden in between the layers of fruit you'll discover a taste you may recognize if you've ever eaten Ferrero Rocher chocolate hazelnut candies. As you continue to taste, the fruity flavors deepen into toffee, dried Clementine, and bitter walnuts. This is less creamy than the Green Spot and finishes with a gentle bite from the proof.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Bushmills 16 Year Single Malt
Distiller Score 92
The fragrance on the nose is quite intense with dried fruit and nuts due to the wine finishes on most of the whiskey. Oatmeal raisin cookies, nuts, a dose of dark chocolate, these are all presented on a silver platter. There is an amiable amount of char smoke throughout the dram.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Teeling The Revival 15 Year Single Malt (Volume IV)
Distiller Score 89
The nose is lively, sweet, fragrant and fruity with pear drops, apricots, exotic fruits, vanilla and some floral notes in the background. The tropical fruits are still there in the mouth, along with juicy oranges, grapes, vanilla, toffee and sweet spices. Drier notes appear towards the end. Another beautiful expression from Teeling where the finish brings a very interesting influence to the spirit without overpowering the character of the whisky. Well done!
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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A Drop of the Irish Sherry Cask Finish (Blackadder)
Distiller Score 88
The first whiff of this whiskey will have you wondering if this is really an Irish spirit. Sweet tobacco and toffee take the reins to guide you in. The first sip is punchy, full of rich spiciness, charred wood, and that beautiful sherry finish. It finishes strong with sea salt and smoky dark chocolate. Blackadder has bottled a spirit for the complex whiskey lover to pick apart.
Reviewed by Nicole Gilbert
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Teeling Silver Reserve 21 Year Single Malt
Distiller Score 93
Tropical fruits hit the senses with this whiskey, mango perhaps? Cooked banana? These notes continue on the palate with a bit of dried ginger, fresh grass, and pastry dough. Depending on your palate, this may be too fruit-forward for you, but I'd suggest trying this with a cheese plate for your dessert.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Tyrconnell 15 Year Madeira Cask Finish
Distiller Score 93
This is a beautiful whiskey from Tyrconnell, with its long time in wood and unique finish giving it complex layers of flavor. With ripe pear and vanilla up front, it gradually unfolds into notes of floral nectar, orange peel, and the elegant, sweet fruitiness of a Tokaji or Sauternes dessert wine. Pour this one neat and enjoy.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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Jameson 18 Year Limited Reserve
Distiller Score 89
Amber honey is what you smell, but it is also what you see as the color of the whiskey. On the mid palate you are given more sweets in caramel and sugared cereal tastes but there's a touch of oil as well. The finish winds up on the bitter side with cocoa nibs and walnut husks.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Waterford The Cuvée
Distiller Score 91
The nose offers black cherry vanilla ice cream, along with beeswax, heather, butterscotch, and lemon oleo saccharum. The palate showcases swirls of flavor, interweaving milk chocolate, clover honey, and hay, with bright pops of citrus, blackberries, and a peppery undercurrent. The finish is lengthy, with sweet orange creamsicle, Christmas spice, tart lingonberries, and tannic oak.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Knappogue Castle 16 Year Sherry Cask Finished
Distiller Score 87
The nose clues us in on the sherry barrels with nutty and raisin-y aromas with an almost rancio, rummy note as well. The fruit stays with you on the palate along with maple syrup, lemon flavored tea, and coffee grounds. The whiskey finishes dry and bitter, but has a sufficient length.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno