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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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Hibiki 17 Year
Distiller Score 92
On the nose: honey, brown sugar, caramel, juicy pear and flowers. The taste is surprising and complex. Somehow light and rich, very warm with herbal notes, cocoa, and hazelnut. There is also an earthy, salty character, like a blue cheese or a Highland single malt. A bit of water brings out some chocolate. Finish is exceptionally warm and soothing.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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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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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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Barrell Seagrass
Distiller Score 93
Apricot jam and peach preserves lead off on the nose, along with spearmint, anise, and rye spice. The palate is big, and multi-layered as you might expect, with notes of dark chocolate and cacao, raspberries and Jolly Ranchers, and thyme, followed by molasses, maple syrup, and Seville oranges. The finish offers vanilla, pecan pie, cinnamon, and cloves, with dried fruits and a lengthy, warming flourish of heat.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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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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M&H APEX Pomegranate Wine Cask
Distiller Score 90
Plums and red berries show first on a rich and inviting nose, along with butterscotch and vanilla. The palate offers raspberry syrup, anise, and dark chocolate atop a heavily floral and perfumed base with violets, lavender, potpourri, and honey. A hot, lengthy finish has tannic oak, barrel char, and dark chocolate covered berries.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Kavalan Concertmaster Port Cask Finish Single Malt
Distiller Score 84
Aromas of mixed berry jam and baking spices such as clove and allspice to begin with followed by more fruit and spice. The palate gets a brief reprieve on these notes on the mid-palate with vanilla, wet tobacco, and honey, but then reverts back to finish with more spices and berries. Must love Port!
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Nikka Yoichi 15 Year
Distiller Score 96
White fleshed fruits and maple syrup pay a visit along with a fair amount of peat smoke. A lovely richness coats the inside of your mouth while you detect some sherry notes on your palate. Almonds and gentle dark baking spices along with caramel apples put the finishing touches on the whisky.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength
Distiller Score 88
While extremely light on the palate, the flavors are very deep and complex. The grapey-ness of the wine influence really comes through, mixed with the cereal notes of the malted barley and the vanilla from the oak itself. The finish reminds a bit of a root-beer-flavored Life Saver candy, which makes it a fun sip. A drop of water makes the hot finish a bit more creamy.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Stauning Young Rye (Bottled June 2014)
Distiller Score 90
Initially, the Young Rye has a sharp, grainy nose but given time it reveals a lovely caramel and bread pudding scent. This is a sweet and spicy whisky with fantastic cracked black pepper, candied apple, and raisin notes. Dark chocolate and yeast linger on the back end. Adding a touch of water brings yet another layer: spiced oatmeal. Proof that sometimes age is just a number!
Reviewed by Nicole Gilbert
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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