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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 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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Jack Daniel's Old No. 7
Distiller Score 85
Nose shows banana, vanilla, yeast and a strong corn profile. Palate is more of the same: strong banana, corn, char from the barrel and some heat even at 80 proof. Finish is long and full of candy corn, more tropical fruit and a little heat.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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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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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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Old Forester Classic 86 Proof
Distiller Score 85
Nose shows dried apricots, barrel, molasses and corn. Cinnamon-dusted apricots, oak, leather and nutmeg show up on the palate. The finish is of medium length with burnt sugars coming to the front.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Alberta Springs 10 Year
Distiller Score 85
Richly sweet with fiery pepper over layers of fruit, grain and rye spices. Dusty rye with a slight sourness on the nose becomes richly sweet on the palate with vanilla and crème caramel. Green apples, red grapes, and dried fruits ride waves of hot pepper and luscious caramel. Finishes in dry grain, hints of fresh-cut lumber and mild citrus pith. Deceivingly simple to begin with, then unfolds in many layers.
Reviewed by Davin de Kergommeaux
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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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Reilly's Mother's Milk
Distiller Score 87
This is a very easy drinking whiskey, with smooth vanilla, red apple and rich caramel flavors. Nuances of sweet spice, brown sugar and toasted oak develop upon further sipping. A slight burn in the finish reminds us that lads like Reilly like to go out swinging!
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Ancient Ancient Age 10 Year
Distiller Score 85
Nose is very straight forward with baking spice, honey and citrus. Palate continues along those lines adding anise and heat. Finish is simple with heat and length.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Larceny Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Distiller Score 88
Larceny is a very solid, classic bourbon for the money. Banana bread aromas (bananas, sugar and nuts) on the nose with more oak spice on the tongue. It's more on the sweet side of the bourbon spectrum, but still enjoyable, and doesn't finish too hot.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Early Times 354 Bourbon
Distiller Score 87
Tasting the two expressions side by side was a real treat. 354 has a lighter weight, but still tons of rich flavor. It's very peachy, with that Sugar Corn Pops cereal taste many bourbons possess, and a good hit of spice and pipe tobacco. Very pleasant and balanced. Tasted it with a novice bourbon drinker who was immediately taken with it, and more experienced ones will appreciate the mellow style for a nice change of bourbon pace.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster