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Glen Moray 12 Year
Distiller Score 85
This is a sweet one. The nose is big on vanilla and honey and cereal grains--Honey Smacks, actually. The scent of fresh cut grass lingers somewhere beneath all the sweetness. On the palate, it's lighter than the nose suggests. Crisp and fruity with white chocolate, toffee. Softly malty with some floral character. Finish is short and fruity. It's a solid baseline Speyside, not overly complex, and with an ABV that is well-suited for enjoying the whisky neat. Perfectly suited for casual sipping.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Aberlour 12 Year Double Cask Matured
Distiller Score 86
This is a slow to get going whisky, but once it has an opportunity to sit in the glass for just a minute, it really opens up. The dark sherried notes come through on the nose, but also checking in for a visit are honey, orange peels, and cooked apples. Some dark chocolate and cinnamon appear and chewy oak tannins arrive fashionably late to the party.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt
Distiller Score 86
Wakey wakey to a sunshine-y orange marmalade with a drizzling of honey on warm toast. The mid-palate shows more malted barley than the nose with some added cinnamon sprinkled in mix. More malt and herbs show up with continued tasting such as anise and mint. The finish is of average length, but while it's around is quite dandy.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Dewar's Scratched Cask
Distiller Score 93
The aromas from this Scotch are compelling and varied with cereal grains, milk chocolate, pear crisp, and orange peel coming to the forefront. Sea salt caramels, vanilla, and Fuji apple follow suit. The mouthfeel is mild and smooth, with more of the same qualities on the nose as on the palate with cinnamon, mint and toasted almonds coming into the mix. The finish features a big chocolate orange note that is classically Dewar's followed by more cinnamon and soft oak. This will be a very easy whisky to gift, given its smooth and unique flavor profile. A home run for the House of Dewar's.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Compass Box Asyla
Distiller Score 90
Bright sunshine-y orange and lemon are first to greet you on the nose. A moderately full whisky, the mid-palate is sweet and finishes with gentle cinnamon and vanilla. If the weather turns chilly or if you're feeling under the weather, the whisky makes an excellent hot toddy.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Glenmorangie The Original 10 Year
Distiller Score 85
There is an easy like Sunday morning-ness to Glenmorangie The Original. What comes to mind upon tasting is the soft and round nature to the whisky as it soothes and coats your mouth. The taste of honey and nuts is soon followed by a burst of zesty orange. As your tasting experience comes to a close, notes of vanilla and chocolate cream emerge.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Aberfeldy 12 Year
Distiller Score 90
Sweet aromas of caramel, toffee and beeswax are presented with the tasting profile of more of the same. Additionally, there's a slight nutty and wood spice finish which winds up on the dry side.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Auchentoshan 12 Year
Distiller Score 85
The aroma is full of tropical fruits and toasted cereal. Upon tasting, you'll get coconut, vanilla, and caramel. This isn't a P-Funkadelic, malty Scotch whisky, but rather a smooth jazz version. Soothing and mellow, this is a whisky perfect for bourbon drinkers longing to make the leap to Scotch-land.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Tobermory 10 Year
Distiller Score 90
There are bright aromas of breakfast cereal topped with fresh berries, lemon curd, and a small amount of salt. The whisky tingles the gums and has a bit of dry wood tannins to chew on. The finish continues with lemon peel, cinnamon, wood spices and a touch of anise.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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The Glenrothes Select Reserve
Distiller Score 87
The nose is full of vanilla, caramel, and toasted barley. The profile of the whisky is fruity and soft, a very mellow sort of dram save for the baking spices on the finish. This is a nice little dram to start the evening with.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Dewar's 12 Year The Ancestor (Discontinued)
Distiller Score 85
The nose offers carnival candy, fudge, and stone fruit. For a blended whisky, even one with 12 years of age, the richness of the whisky is a nice surprise. The finish suggests wood spices and salty caramel and just a dash white pepper.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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anCnoc 12 Year
Distiller Score 85
For a 12 year old whisky, there is a fair amount of complexity here. Whipped cream and heaps of citrus fruits are discovered initially that then turn to a bowl of cereal with dried red fruit on top. It finishes up with dashes of cinnamon and salt. The weight of the whisky is pleasantly plump. All in all, a nice treat to enjoy when you've got a craving for something sweet.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno