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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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Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
Distiller Score 90
The nose is full of cherries, pear, and chocolate along with some oak and toffee. The palate finds even more oak, darker fruits, and an additional hint of chocolate. The long, easy finish comes back to the cherries, sugars, and oak.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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New England Distilling Gunpowder Rye
Distiller Score 85
The nose is bright, young, and grassy. There's hay, honey, and juicy cantaloupe, but no rye spice to speak of. The rye asserts itself on the palate, however, with a healthy dose of spice that melts into something bitter and dry with oak notes and a bit of caramel. Rye often deals with a young age well, and that is certainly the case here.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Black Maple Hill Limited Edition Orange Label
Distiller Score 91
The aroma is freshly-heated cinnamon rolls, vanilla and some tropical fruits (think mango and coconut). On the palate you'll find dark pit fruits with an alcohol burn taking over after a second. Once that subsides get ready for more cinnamon rolls with extra sugar topping. The finish is long, with warm caramel, leather and Thanksgiving desserts.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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1792 Ridgemont Reserve Bourbon 8 Year
Distiller Score 90
This bourbon epitomizes Thanksgiving in a bottle. Nose is full of cinnamon, caramel and clove. Oily mouth feel is the perfect compliment to the front of tongue burn with pepper, cinnamon and spiced tea coming though a little bit of oak. Finish is between a medium and long with all of those fall spices still coming through nicely.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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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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High West Son of Bourye
Distiller Score 88
Nose, golden raisins, mint, vanilla and peppermint. Palate continues with sweet notes of mint and honeysuckle then intensifies with cinnamon and baking spices. Finish is medium/long with the cinnamon and baking spices continuing.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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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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Blanton's Original Single Barrel
Distiller Score 89
Eventually, the initial nose of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of tobacco gives way to toffee, chocolate orange and leather on the tongue. The front of tongue burn and medium/long finish are accentuated by the thick and coating mouth-feel. The complexity of this bourbon lives up to not only its packaging but is a fitting tribute to a true bourbon purist. It's perfect as a gift or an addition to any home bar.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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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
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High West Rendezvous Rye
Distiller Score 89
Nose, heat, mint, anise, cinnamon. Palate, molasses, mint, anise, fruit cake and dark chocolate. Finish is long, hot and satisfying.
Reviewed by Rob Morton