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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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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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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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Glenfiddich 18 Year
Distiller Score 90
If ever there was a whisky that brings to mind "liquid fruitcake", this is it. The dried candied fruits, ginger, vanilla, baking spices and toffee just screams "fruitcake" from the top of the highest mountain. In fact, if you happen to get one for the holidays, do yourself and family a favor and pour a glass or two on top of the cake for a lovely treat.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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Glenmorangie 18 Year
Distiller Score 93
Desserts galore come to mind with this whisky. The aroma is bursting of fresh lemon hand pies with the taste profile moving towards cherry pie with a rich, buttery crust. As you continue down the dessert list, crème brûlée with its just torched sugar crust is paired with a cinnamon honey and citrus hot toddy. Even with all of these sweet, heavy descriptors, there is a zing to this whisky that keeps it fresh and alive.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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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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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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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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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