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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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Old Overholt 4 Year Straight Rye Whiskey (86 Proof)
Distiller Score 86
Whole peanuts lead on the nose, with dark chocolate syrup, caramel, and spearmint. The palate is dry up front, with anise, tannic oak, black pepper, and toasted rye bread, along with sweet grape jelly in the back. The finish showcases a touch of heat, with fiery cinnamon and cloves, along with sour cherry, black licorice, malt balls, and menthol.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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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
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Ezra Brooks 90 Proof Straight Rye
Distiller Score 87
Ezra Brooks' rye whiskey debuts into an increasingly crowded category, but its flavor profile helps to separate it from the competition. The spiciness of the rye is toned down, shifting the emphasis to sweet notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak. As a straightforward whiskey to sip on the rocks, this one is likely to please. Those seeking a big, spicy rye to punch through cocktails may want to look elsewhere. Nonetheless, it's a welcome addition to the category, and priced well for casual drinking.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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Georgia Moon Corn Whiskey
Distiller Score 87
A lot of people see the funny packaging and drink it on a dare. Thing is, as far as this genre of corn whiskey goes, it really ain't half bad (that is, if you haven't spilled half of it while trying to pour it out of the jar.) It has a funky sweet and herbal smell, not unlike a rhum agricole - all dried fruits, sage and tarragon. On the palate it tastes a lot like rum raisin ice cream, with less of that herbal quality that was present in the aroma. The ABV isn't too high, so it doesn't finish nearly as hot as you'd expect it to. Seriously, you could do worse. Heck, it's probably great in a cocktail and no one would be the wiser.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Jim Beam Rye
Distiller Score 86
Banana, pepper, nutmeg, and tobacco are found on the nose. On the palate, you'll find a Thanksgiving baking spice bundle, summer fruits, and caramelized wood. The finish is smooth and easy going with a moderate level of wood and vanilla.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Old Bardstown Black Label Bourbon (90 Proof)
Distiller Score 86
The nose on this bourbon is sticky and sweet, with overtones of molasses and vanilla that fade into fruity notes of cherry. The aroma ends with the rich scent of coffee and brown sugar. Its taste is slightly bitter — walnuts and cloves give way to softer flavors of malt and peach. The finish is long and spicy.
Reviewed by Derek Gamlin
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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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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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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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Ezra Brooks 99 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Distiller Score 87
For the price point, there's a fair amount going on here. After the fumes wear off from the initial pour you'll find some peanuts, sweet corn, dried herbs and a touch of leather. The bourbon is warming on the palate, but not over the top. Pleasant flavors of corn and vanilla can be found as well as a moderate amount of baking spices. The bourbon is tangy and pleasant on the finish. Keep a bottle on hand for your cocktail needs, but it also serves as a solid every day drink.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Jim Beam Distiller's Cut
Distiller Score 88
Jim Beam's new Distiller's Cut is a gem of an affordable bourbon. At 100-proof and bottled without chill filtering, it's full-bodied and flavorful. The taste profile is classic bourbon: vanilla, leather, a touch of smoke from charred oak, and an enjoyable bit of black pepper spice that lingers on the finish. It's a straight-ahead whiskey that can serve just as well sipped neat as it does in cocktails, and it's a fantastic value for the price.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier