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Locke's 8 Year Single Malt
Distiller Score 87
A big blast of vanilla on the nose, along with mint, oak, malted milk balls, and a hint of peat. On the palate there's peaches and cream, pepper, melon, honey, and oak. The peat doesn't show up until the finish, and then only briefly.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Tyrconnell Single Malt
Distiller Score 87
The aromas and tastes exuding from the glass such as toasted cereal, lemons, and a touch of honey are clean and pronounced. There is a slight charred taste on the finish along with some dried herbs action and it finishes with a gentle spicy bite.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Special Reserve
Distiller Score 90
The nose is not super intense, but you do find vanilla, char smoke, and other bourbon influences. There is more of the same on the palate with a touch of sweetness on the entry. The sherry wood character doesn't poke its head in until the very last minute as a dried fruit and nutty aftertaste.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Jameson Crested
Distiller Score 90
The makeover of the cult classic Crested Ten is hot on the nose but subdued with sweet maple butter and toffee. Pepper and ginger-spice puff from the bottle. Then it’s vanilla popping into silky honey and dried fruits in the mouth. The finish hits with a confident sherry scorched wood.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Knappogue Castle 12 Year Bourbon Cask Matured
Distiller Score 91
Golden honey emanates from the glass with notes of menthol and grassy herbs. The palate is rich with nougat and malt with moments of wood spices and mint.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Bushmills Black Bush
Distiller Score 85
As the name suggests, the color of the whiskey is dark as are the spices and fruits you find in the dram. The texture is nicely full and smooth. There are times when you want loads of complexity in your whiskey, a whiskey to ponder your future. And then there are other times, when you're at your favorite dive bar, you know, the one with the great jukebox and the crappy lighting. This is the whiskey that you order.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Tullamore D.E.W. 10 Year Single Malt
Distiller Score 86
The wine cask finishes certainly make an impact on the whiskey with a fruit punch and peachy nose. The malt is decently full on your palate and though the fruity tastes continue, it is not too sweet. Those that like sherry finishes on their Scotch should check this bottling out; it is quite the value.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Powers Gold Label
Distiller Score 85
On the nose you'll find oats, honey, Frosted Flakes and blooming, sun-drenched honeysuckle. The palate is creamy, with a slight malty flavor and full-fat Irish butter-slathered toast. A slight spice comes through at the beginning and also at the end. The finish is long and easy with some of that spiced honey coming through.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Method and Madness Single Grain Finished in Virgin Spanish Oak Casks
Distiller Score 88
The nose is quite light, delicate and floral with cupcake icing, vanilla, sandalwood and toffee bonbons. The palate is richer and warm, bringing aromas of oak, toasted bread, candied orange slices, honey and a full array of sweet and hotter spices. A short and spicy aftermath with drier notes follows. Overall, a very interesting single grain which participates in rising the interest towards this category of whiskey.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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Bushmills 10 Year Single Malt
Distiller Score 89
You pick up on vanilla, banana bread, and orchard fruits in this one. Pleasantly plump on the palate, the honey and malt pick up the pace in the mouth. You're not going to write home about this one, but having a nip after work on a Wednesday is not only accepted, it is encouraged.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye
Distiller Score 93
Milk chocolate, shortbread and steaming steel-cut oats only begin the aromatic parade in this remarkable Irish rye. Freshly peeled apples and pears join in and follow in the mouth, with that beguiling pot still roundness. Add ginger and vanilla to the mix and a refreshing bitter bite at the bottom and you have a remarkable and toothsome Irish rye - a welcome addition to any rye lover's cabinet.
Reviewed by Jack Robertiello
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Kilbeggan Single Pot Still
Distiller Score 85
The aroma of this whiskey falls on the breakfast-y side with toasted nutty cereal along with sweet honey and light vanilla notes. There's some tart lemon zest there too. As you taste the whiskey is on the medium side with more of the same flavors as the nose. The spice notes are on the mild/medium side and there's just a faint char smoke on the bittersweet and tangy finish. Not too complex, but a nice dram to have along side a pint of beer.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno