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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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Tullibardine Sovereign
Distiller Score 84
Lots of cereal malt, orange, vanilla, and coconut on the nose. The taste boasts white chocolate, peaches and cream, spice cake, toasted coconut, and a hint of cinnamon. It has a medium finish full of spice, vanilla cream, and orange zest.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Bruichladdich Rocks
Distiller Score 87
The red wine finishing has given this dram a pink hue. The nose is savory with a smoky, meaty quality along with bright red fruit and salt. This proceeds on the palate and has a creamy texture along with it. What remain on the finish are fruity smoke and gentle wood spices.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Auchentoshan Springwood
Distiller Score 84
A light, vanilla, honeyed and deliciously citrusy profile. The palate shows notes of chocolate and gourmet creamy vanilla. Its refreshing character makes it a perfect easy-drinking everyday dram and a go-to choice when high temperatures start showing up.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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The Glenrothes Alba Reserve
Distiller Score 87
The aroma are unmistakably markers for the American wood aging with aromas of vanilla and coconut. Cinnamon and ginger are in attendance and there is a beeswax quality to the texture and taste of the whisky.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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BenRiach Heart of Speyside
Distiller Score 84
This is a fairly straight forward whisky with sweet malt and vanilla on the nose. There is a trace of smoke, pear fruits, and a dash of salt as well. The pear continues on the palate, but is not as soft and creamy as one might expect from a Speyside malt. Wood spices draw the whisky to a close, but doesn't finish too sharply.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Arran The Robert Burns Single Malt
Distiller Score 83
Honey and cereal are abundant on the nose along with a dollop of vanilla. This malt continues with the breakfast notes and a dash of cinnamon on the palate. Pairing this with a serving of haggis and reciting a few verses of Robbie Burns' poems would do very nicely, but you could also simply raise a glass to the bard and enjoy.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Naked Grouse Blended Whisky (Discontinued)
Distiller Score 81
The color has more of an amber appearance than the standard Famous Grouse blend which would be explained by the aging in first-fill sherry casks. The dried fruits that appear on the nose are berry and citrus focused, especially orange aromas. The body is a little slick and peppery hot on the finish with dark honey and a moderate amount of malt on the palate. The finish is pleasant, though the blend is not as integrated and seamless as it could be. With the price hovering in the low $30 range however, it is a solid value.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Glencadam 12 Year Portwood Finish
Distiller Score 84
The nose is comes through with both woody and fruity profiles, with lots of apricots and also cinnamon. It is quite rich it being finished in port casks, it is easy to get the aromas of a Tawny Port in there. The palate starts with sweet dry fruits and a generous body, evolving into a more complex dram, with vanilla, more cinnamon and barley. The finish is long enough to be pleasant, with maybe just a bit too much of dry wood on the aftertaste. Not the most complex whisky ever, but recommended to anyone liking a rich, sweet whisky.
Reviewed by Julien Le Doaré
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Auchentoshan Classic
Distiller Score 80
The bourbon influence is clear with vanilla standing out. Cooked apples and lemon zest are on the palate along with more vanilla. What stands out the most is the soft, smooth texture to the dram. The finish is short and sweet.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Black Bull 12 Year (Duncan Taylor)
Distiller Score 86
This whisky shows a nice blend of fruit and malt. Dried cherry, apples, and sea salt are found on the palate along with vanilla and just a touch of peat smoke and dried grass. The finish is full of caramel popcorn, baking spices, and more dried fruits.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Girvan No. 4 Apps Single Grain
Distiller Score 88
Sweet cereal notes and a touch of barrel spice are detected along with a dollop of vanilla. The whisky has some roundness and softness on the mid-palate, so is not as sharp and angular as you might expect from the color (which is unadulterated). It is quite a delicate whisky; if you are looking for a big, bold, bruiser of a whisky, this will not be the whisky for you. That said it is a lovely start to the evening and would be a good sipper for someone who is just dipping their toes into the whisky waters.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno