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Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon French Oak Finish
Distiller Score 91
A well-balanced use of French oak, which can be tricky with a spirit as muscular as bourbon. Right out of the glass is a rush of floral and pastry (think pound cake) notes that are held tightly together by sturdy rye and spice aromas. The palate is lush with nut and pear flavors that closes with a lingering tobacco note. Elegant and fun.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Bardstown Bourbon Co. Origin Series Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Distiller Score 92
The nose is rich and enticing, with butterscotch, caramel, and peanut brittle. That nuttiness continues onto the palate, which also offers a surprising of red fruits, including apples, orchard fruits, plums, and grapes. The finish is lengthy, and showcases chocolate syrup, Tootsie Rolls, tannic oak, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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George Dickel Barrel Select
Distiller Score 91
A nose full of oak and cocoa, with a nice whiff of banana lurking in the shadows. Taste is sweet but not overpowering, nicely balanced by a warm rye spice. There's also oak and char, cherry, and vanilla. Dry with a nice, warm finish characterized by caramel and juicy tropical fruit. For the price, the very definition of an exceptional "go-to" whisky.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Distiller Score 89
Daviess County Straight Bourbon presents a charmingly distinguished character on all fronts. The nose is gentle but expressive, with maple syrup, buttered biscuit, and sweet corn all evenly intertwined with a tempered barrel char. Flavors of caramel apple, baking spice, and vanilla coast across the palate. The body of the whiskey is smooth and lively. Great for sipping, but also bottled at a strong mixing proof.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Kinsey 7 Year Cask Strength Whiskey
Distiller Score 86
The first impression of this whiskey is rich and heady (as a cask strength should be). It reminds of your grandfather's bottle of Old Spice aftershave with a touch of sandalwood and leather. Once sipped, it fills your mouth with thick caramelized sugars, almost like Bananas Foster. The only hint that this spirit isn't cut down to proof is the tingle that sticks with you--a characteristic of Kinsey whiskeys.
Reviewed by Nicole Gilbert
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Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
Distiller Score 95
This bourbon offers a surprisingly gentle and aromatic bouquet for a spirit at 55% abv. Aromas of oak, cinnamon spice, vanilla pound cake predominate, with orange peel, coconut macaroon and grain notes playing a secondary role. On the palate, this is a flavorful, multilayered whiskey, with an initial hit of alcohol burn and a strong cinnamon and oak note giving way to vanilla, almond, toasted coconut, and mint before the cinnamon and baking spice notes return. The finish is long and enjoyable, with a distinct apple pie note followed by oak, baking spices, chocolate and finally, freshly baked snickerdoodle cookies before dissipating.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Old Fitzgerald 12 Year
Distiller Score 88
Soft, sweet corn, rolled oats, buttery cinnamon sugar cookies, vanilla, and toffee dominate the nose with subtle aromas of oak in the background. Big flavors of gooey vanilla toffee, cinnamon toast, and maple syrup stand up front with mild hints of spice, wood, and red delicious apples rounding out the palate. The finish lingers with all the spice and oak that was missing in the first tastes with round and sweet mouth-coating memories of buttery toffee.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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George Dickel 13 Year Bottled in Bond Tennessee Whisky (Fall 2005)
Distiller Score 89
Dickel's BIB presents with an excellent balance between bold and elegant. Aromas of brandied fruit, baking spices, and crusty bread emerge at an even pace and the palate is rich with classic black pepper and caramel. A great first showing from Nicole Austin, which will certainly be embraced by bartenders.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Legent Bourbon
Distiller Score 90
Each phase of Legent Bourbon highlights a different one of its components. The nose brightly showcases the wine influence, fruity and jammy with grapes and red wine. The palate is where the rich, chewy bourbon character shines through, with caramel, crème brûlée, and butterscotch. A long finish then offers up the sherry side, with a bitter streak and peanut shells, along with oak, rye spice, tingly black pepper, and vanilla.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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1792 High Rye Bourbon
Distiller Score 85
This whiskey opens like a beautiful apple and pear tart coming out of the oven: brightly fruity and deliciously warm. The baking spices don't disappear on the palate; in fact, candied ginger and orange peels demand your attention immediately. The rye punch you're expecting never happens. Instead, you get a balanced, sweet bourbon.
Reviewed by Nicole Gilbert
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1792 Aged Twelve Years
Distiller Score 88
The 1792 12-year has many of the same flavor traits of it younger siblings, while expressing its maturity through a host of more subtle and precise characteristics. The familiar sweetness comes through in a rich and layered maple syrup note that is countered by drier, rye-influenced Turkish apricot aromas. This bourbon rolls across the palate with a round and creamy structure that, while not overly complex, is immensely enjoyable and well balanced.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Jack Daniel's Gentleman Jack
Distiller Score 91
The nose, palate and finish can be summed up in one southern dessert: your grandmother's banana pudding. It's got it all, from the homemade vanilla pudding, to the Nilla Wafers and sliced bananas. There's even toasted meringue on the top coupled with a warm finish from the alcohol.
Reviewed by Rob Morton