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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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Michter's US*1 Sour Mash Whiskey
Distiller Score 84
As a unique bourbon/rye hybrid, the nose lends aromas of chewy caramel and nougat, sweet stewed stone fruits, vanilla and spice. The flavors are rich and sweet with honey, butterscotch, and more vanilla, delicate eucalyptus, and bold spice with candied berries and orange peel. The finish lingers with spicy ginger, black pepper and cinnamon spice with hints of cooked fruits on the tail end.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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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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Big Bottom Barlow Trail Port Cask Finish
Distiller Score 91
After the initial alcohol heat has time to dissipate, the whiskey has a lively nose with Madagascar vanilla, flan, oak, fresh orange peel and raspberry. On the palate, an initial rush of vanilla fudge and caramel sauce gives way to baked raspberry crisp, with hints of toasted almonds, white peppercorns, cinnamon sugar, raisins, baking spices and oat cakes. The finish starts with warm alcohol and cinnamon, then into black pepper, but quickly dissolves leaving oak, tawny port, dried plum, and toasted cereal grains on the palate.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Journeyman Distillery Last Feather Organic Rye
Distiller Score 82
The nose is spicy but has clear notes of raw grain mash and prairie grass, (as you will find in most younger rye whiskeys) similar to grass cut in late September and October before the first freeze. There is a lot of vanilla and as such is quite sweet on the palate, surely from the new and smaller barrels which lends more to a bourbon-drinker. Finishes with light baking spices and fresh honey. Certain notes of citrus zest and peach aroma make this a perfect rye for cocktails such as a the Ward Eight.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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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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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
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Bowman Brothers Small Batch Bourbon
Distiller Score 82
Mint, thyme and tobacco jump off the nose to accompany our usual vanilla and spice. On the palate hints of chocolate, ginger, and black pepper accompany a mild fruit. The finish is short with a slight sweetness.
Reviewed by Dennis Gobis
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Tacoma New West Bourbon
Distiller Score 78
Nose is full of sweet corn, fresh caramel, and vanilla. On the palate the bourbon is creamy and grassy, but also very youthful. The profile continues with a little under-ripe fig and crushed nuts. The finish is slow burning and shows a little bit olive and brine.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Bernheim 7 Year Original Wheat Whiskey
Distiller Score 91
Heavily toasted bread, mild vanilla, and gentle wood spices are found as you bring the glass to your nose. Light honey and a touch of oak join the aromatics on the palate with a soft and easy to drink profile.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Leopold Bros. American Small Batch Whiskey
Distiller Score 83
The nose is a nice balance of spice and sugars with notes of caramel, brown sugar, and hints of molasses. This is soon followed by a nice rye and light baking-spice, baked apple, and delicate under-ripe strawberries. On the palate, this whiskey tastes of corn, baking spice, and caramelized sugars with hints of Bartlett pear and vanilla bean. The wood tannins are soft and perhaps a little on the light side for the modern whiskey palate, but perhaps right on for the pre-Prohibition-style that Leopold Bros. set out to recreate.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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1792 Sweet Wheat
Distiller Score 80
This is a very soft bourbon that is indeed a bit sweeter in style. The flavors are almost akin to a banana split sundae, with heaps of tropical fruits, caramel, vanilla, milk chocolate, cinnamon and even a cherry on top! What keeps it from being too cloying is a tart citrus bite and hot peppery spices, with some oak and leather. This is definitely for those who prefer a sweeter style of whiskey, but might be too sweet for true bourbon aficionados.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster