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Jim Beam Bonded Bourbon
Distiller Score 90
It's Jim Beam and then some. Honey and spice on the nose, along with oak, cherry, and butterscotch. It's a bold taste, rustic but refined, with vanilla, strong mint, bitter chocolate, and pepper. There's also charcoal, tobacco, and hay. Finish is short but warm, with more wood and mint as well as a bit of caramel. Water tames a bit of the bitterness and accentuates red fruits, chocolate, and pepper.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Old Forester 100 Proof Bourbon
Distiller Score 88
The initial nose boasts a powerful whiff of alcohol that fades to yeasty bread. Given a little time to breathe, the scent of crème brûlée, brown sugar, and woody floor wax make themselves known. Taste starts off with minty bitterness and chocolate, like an Andes Mint made with dark chocolate. Vanilla and oak appear shortly thereafter, followed by dryness, wood, and fire from the high proof. The finish is warm and lingers, giving off a rye spiciness, though not particularly long. This is a business bourbon with little in the way of subtlety but an excellent reflection of Brown-Forman's urban setting.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Jim Beam Pre-Prohibition Style Rye
Distiller Score 90
This is a rye that tastes like what you think a rye whiskey would taste like: big rye spice and pepper on the nose, but also strawberries, chocolate covered cherries, and faint floral notes. Flavor is big and bold, with a burly helping of spice alongside a medicinal tang. Licorice, bitter mint, and caramel come along for the ride. It's heavy and substantial, the kind of whiskey that holds up to a cocktail while still being sippable neat.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon 100 Proof
Distiller Score 86
Noticeably spicy and dark for a wheated bourbon. Upfront, there are notes of pipe ash and cinnamon that are buoyed by spiced honey characters. Across the palate, sweeter bread crust and vanilla flavors are offered up within pleasantly smooth sip from front to back.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Mars Iwai Tradition Wine Cask Finish
Distiller Score 89
The first whiff brings red fruit and lots of it. The nose then delivers honey, vanilla, and milk cherry chocolate. Rich decadence from the wine influence. The palate is just as exciting with ginger, port, and subtle spice joining the sweet, rich notes from the nose. Dried figs, milk chocolate, and port notes lead the medium finish. A delightful experience through and through.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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2 Gingers
Distiller Score 85
The nose is full of malt and honey along with lemon curd. The palate continues with a tangy quality and finishes just ever so slightly bitter. The wood spices come through right at the finish line. The double distillation may account for the fullness of the whiskey.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Hochstadter's Slow & Low Rock & Rye (84 Proof)
Distiller Score 88
On the nose, there's an aroma that recalls strong black tea and old-timey cough drops. On the palate, there's plenty of lemon peel and mild vanilla with a dry and long finish of bitter herbs. Adding an ice cube is recommended. It could be doctored with some additional citrus bitters or sweetener, but ultimately, this stands on its own as a well-composed bottled cocktail.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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Famous Grouse
Distiller Score 85
Whoa! This is an intensely aromatic whisky with loads of malt on your nose. This mingles along with salty sea air, chewy caramels, and orange zest. The body of the whisky is greater than your average blend. As the dram winds down, honey and citrus are the last guests at the party.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Old Overholt Bonded Straight Rye Whiskey
Distiller Score 86
Spicy rye opens on the nose with pumpernickel bread, rich vanilla with brown sugar, and hints of sour cherries. The palate offers baking spices such as allspice, nutmeg and cloves, with dry oak and peanut shells. A moderate-lengthy finish showcases more rye spice and oak, with a bitter-burnt note of toast, and spearmint. Altogether—the hearty punch you'd expect from the category with an unexpected bonus in the form of rich, vanilla-infused sweetness. A whiskey begging to be used in an Old Fashioned.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Dewar's French Cask Smooth
Distiller Score 89
This whisky is like two desserts in one! The nose is all spiced apple cake slathered in vanilla frosting, with hints of sandalwood. The palate is tarte tartin with flavors of baked granny smith apples, orange and lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a generous dollop of vanilla cream. There is a slight toasty, sesame-like element that pulls the flavors out of the cloying realm and carries them into a roasty, spicy, and fruity finish with more of that vanilla having the final word. It's definitely a dessert whisky, or one to sip as an aperitif with mild cheeses and pate.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Canadian Club Chairman's Select 100% Rye
Distiller Score 88
This is a familiar rye with textbook floral notes on the nose. Popping toasted grains swirl with oaky vanilla leading your mouth on a journey of rye spiciness and creamy caramel. Orange citrus mixed with baking spices, such as clove and hot cinnamon, hang around a long time like they’ve been charged by the Energizer Bunny. This whisky is a prodigy for cocktails but just as delicious as a sipper.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Canadian Club 100% Rye
Distiller Score 88
This is a familiar rye with textbook floral notes on the nose. Popping toasted grains swirl with oaky vanilla leading your mouth on a journey of rye spiciness and creamy caramel. Orange citrus mixed with baking spices, such as clove and hot cinnamon, hang around a long time like they’ve been charged by the Energizer Bunny. This whisky is a prodigy for cocktails but just as delicious as a sipper.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips