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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 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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Hirsch Small Batch Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Distiller Score 87
The first whiff carried a lot of alcohol and promises a fiery, and perhaps a rough-around-the-edges bourbon. After that initial assault, caramel corn, honey, oak, vanilla, and spice emerge. The palate boasts a lot of oak and warm spice, and is just a little rough, but in an enjoyable way. Lots of corn, vanilla, and cinnamon are in there as well. The finish is short but pleasant, with a little spicy orange zest joining the chorus.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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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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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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Leopold Bros. Maryland-Style Rye
Distiller Score 86
The wood is notably light on the nose which allows the depth of the whiskey to really shine through. Aromas of baking spice, fennel, orange zest, and faint notes of eucalyptus and strawberries follow next. Upfront the flavors on the palate display a youthful spirit that has a nice mouth-feel for its age. Flavors of vanilla, cooked sugars, bright citrus and berries are then followed by Baker’s cocoa, clove, cinnamon, and a peppery and smoky rye spice. The finish rounds out this nuanced style of rye with a lingering vanilla and chocolate-covered berry sweetness that simply won’t let you forget this special dram.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Breaking & Entering Bourbon
Distiller Score 89
Warm banana nut bread and vanilla caramels dominate the nose with hints of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg rounding out the aromas. One sip will prove that the sweetness in the nose was supremely deceptive as nuttiness and spice pull forward with dominant cinnamon, white pepper, and a touch of menthol. A moderate finish persists with big wood, baking spice and caramel with lingering banana flambé.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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George Dickel Rye
Distiller Score 87
Easily one of the most unique and memorable rye whiskeys on the market, this George Dickel Rye sings of spicy herbaceous notes of eucalyptus, spearmint, dill, clove and white pepper followed by a hazel-nuttiness and hints of dried berries. The flavor is admittedly dry and spicy with a notable herbal profile reminiscent of the nose. This rye is not only great as a sipping tipple, but also a perfect base for a cocktail that features herbs like tarragon, mint, dill and rosemary. The finishes dry and spicy as expected with hints of white pepper, dill, and a whiff of delicate smoke.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Clayton James Tennessee Whiskey
Distiller Score 87
A surprising bouquet of apples and pears greets the nose, along with caramel, apricot, and most surprisingly agave. The taste is rich, with maple syrup, vanilla, spice, and that curious mezcal-esque agave again. Water brings out the whiskey's floral notes as well as accentuating caramel, smoke, charcoal, and even rosewater. A truly unique and surprising Tennessee offering unlike anything else being done in the state.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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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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Blade and Bow Bourbon
Distiller Score 90
A fairly straightforward nose of grain, oak, and vanilla predominates with a hint of toasted coconut and a bit of alcohol punch. In the mouth, the initial impression is of a fairly sweet bourbon with vanilla fudge and coconut macaroon, before a surprising secondary note of cinnamon and baking spices rushes in. As it recedes, flavors of oak, toasted almonds, apricot preserves, peppermint and milk chocolate appear. The finish is a bit short, but this bourbon packs a surprising amount of flavor into an approachable and easy drinking whiskey.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff