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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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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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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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Bushmills Red Bush
Distiller Score 85
The aroma is quite sweet on the Demerara sugar side. This mingles with light cereal grains and light barrel spices. The sweet palate continues on the medium-light bodied whiskey. A dash of vanilla comes out along with a touch of char smoke. There's just a bit of a peppery bite in the easy-to-drink (shoot) dram. Overall, a nice balance of sweet and spice. Finish is on the short side. Recommended served next to a glass of lager or a Half & Half.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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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
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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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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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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 Straight Rye Whiskey (80 proof)
Distiller Score 86
Next time you take a shot of this rye, take a minute and actually smell the whiskey. You'll notice a pleasing aroma full of dark grain, char smoke, and cherry vanilla cola. The whiskey is quite hollow on your palate and not very full, but the finish is pleasing enough. You are left with the dark grain and char wood aromas.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Stalk & Barrel Red Blend
Distiller Score 89
Still Waters had the same moment as the guy who discovered how good peanut butter and chocolate go together. For the distillery, it’s how good their rye and single malt go together in this blend. The nose is bright with sweet barley working together with blossoming floral rye. On the palate it’s all about those rye spices and flavor symmetry. This stylish blend wraps up with a little oak and a spray of citrus pith.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips