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Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Four Wood Bourbon
Distiller Score 96
The nose on this bourbon couldn't be more complex. Vanilla, caramel, red wine, freshly chopped firewood, candied citrus, the list goes on. The first sip is like taking a drag off a slightly harsh cigar, and then instantly mellows. The palate then explodes and coats the mouth with sweet citrus, well integrated wood, cool smoke, and a non-cloying sweet, lingering finish. Gorgeous, meticulously complex, yet still approachable.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon (2014)
Distiller Score 98
Baking spices smacks the olfactory receptors as you waft this over-proof spirit. Next, ripe red and stone fruits follow with cacao and mild tobacco notes coming next. The palate is full of chocolate and caramel with a rich oily mouthfeel. The finish is less spicy than anticipated, with a medium-long length. The bottling tasted was from warehouse HW, the Barrel No. was 47-2J.
Reviewed by Dennis Gobis
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Four Roses Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Small Batch Bourbon (2017)
Distiller Score 94
The nose offers baking spices, oak, a range of vanillins, and overripe apples. The palate then starts lighter and sweeter than expected, with a ton more vanilla but also a tart side; think vanilla taffy. There's also butterscotch, orchard fruits, and berries. It gets a bit hot on the finish, but that's soon smoothed over by the underlying vanilla sweetness, with vanilla pudding, biscuit and oak, as well as cinnamon and cloves.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select
Distiller Score 90
Honey, applejack and ripe peaches on the nose, but it's on the palate that the Sinatra barrel makes itself known. The distillery says that the grooves in the barrel double the surface area, which is evident from the get-go. On-the-stove caramel, vanilla and peppery smoke prevail. The extra sweetness is balanced nicely by the higher proof. This is a smokier, bigger and bolder Jack; I can see why Sinatra wanted to be buried with it.
Reviewed by Michael J. Neff
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High West A Midwinter Night's Dram
Distiller Score 92
The robust spicy rye notes are still present in the glass, but as it sits, red fruit tempers that just a bit. As you taste, the spicy rye comes again to the forefront along with vanilla and more red fruit. The finish is warm and spice filled with hints of chocolate and fresh whipped cream with a dash of white pepper.
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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Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Brandy Cask Finish
Distiller Score 91
This long awaited whiskey starts off with a very breakfasty aroma: maple-covered granola with dried fruits, nuts, and a bit of milk chocolate. It has a certain rich smoothness that is almost silky along with more toasted nuts, caramel, and lovely baking spices. An all around solid whiskey to enjoy neat so you don't miss the raisin notes brought about by two years in brandy casks.
Reviewed by Nicole Gilbert
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Wild Turkey Master's Keep 17 Year
Distiller Score 95
A bouquet that is reminiscent of classic Wild Turkey, with big oak, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg, along with salted caramels, fresh orange peel, and just a hint of barbecue smoke. On the palate, Master's Keep is satisfying and complex. Hints of orange peel hide behind the initial wave of vanilla and caramel, before a big oak note comes through, finishing with a flavor reminiscent of an extinguished campfire with a subtle graham cracker and chocolate note emerging. The finish brings baking spice, oak, and warm caramel right at the end. A truly satisfying and enjoyable bourbon whiskey.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Parker's Heritage Wheat Whiskey 13 Year
Distiller Score 94
Heaven Hill seems to have turned their Bernheim Wheat Whiskey up to 11 with this special release. Almost twice the age, this is the bigger and bolder older sibling with caramel, vanilla, and milk chocolate notes dominating without venturing into carnival candy land. The barrel spices are well integrated with just a slight cinnamon prickle towards the finish. Adding water expands these flavors, but isn't absolutely necessary.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2016)
Distiller Score 96
A spicy nose soon reveals orchard fruit and ripe apples, along with vanilla. Dark brown sugar comes strong on the palate, with vanilla, white chocolate, and tart cherries. The finish is quite sweet and rich, then moves into drier oak with cinnamon, but the sweetness continues to linger and never leaves. Incredibly smooth especially at the proof.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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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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Belle Meade Bourbon Madeira Cask Finish
Distiller Score 94
Nose offers a combination of vanilla and baking spices, dry oak and a red wine influence, along with light mint and herbal notes. The palate is rich, with more vanilla, dark red fruits and wine tannins, oak, clover honey, and rye spice. A moderate length finish continues on the sweet and rich sweet side, with vanilla, char, chocolate, brown sugar, and just a touch of black pepper. Delicious, and an excellent job interweaving the Madeira influence with the bourbon itself.
Reviewed by Jake Emen