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Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey
Distiller Score 91
On first sniff, you’d swear you were getting notes of brine and peat, but wow, this is something quite different. Those expecting overwhelming mesquite on the palate will be pleasantly surprised by its subtle integration and almost gentle mouthfeel. The finish is assertive and long. This is a must try for peaty Scotch lovers looking for something quite different, yet equally satisfying.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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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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Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon
Distiller Score 91
Once the nose opens a little, the spice flows freely. It's warm with an inviting baked apple crisp with vanilla ice cream aroma. The palate finds more oats, apples, cinnamon, caramel and oak. The finish is long and spicy with the cinnamon prevailing note.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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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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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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Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A120
Distiller Score 85
Larceny's approachability is it's most endearing quality, but here the Barrel Proof expression comes out kicking. The nose is fairly nervy with wheat bread notes lifted up by apple and petrichor accents. The jolt is in the palate with lean, dry whiskey delivering a combination of dense fruit cake and molasses. The proof is aggressive, but reveals a more subtle texture with some water.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Journeyman Distillery Silver Cross Four Grain Whiskey
Distiller Score 91
The corn and barley are most prominent on the nose, offering complex aromas. You know right away you are about to sip a fine American whiskey. The palate has a lot of heat, but there are respectable showings of dried fruits and almonds. The wheat adds a bit of levity to what might otherwise be a heavy spirit. A drop or two of water opens the spirit significantly. The Silver Cross offers complexity rarely seen in such a young craft spirit.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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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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Weller 12 Year Bourbon
Distiller Score 93
The nose and flavor profile shows notes such as vanilla, orange peel, and chocolate all loaded up with warming baking spices. The proof helps to tighten up the whiskey and is less cloying as a result. Is pecan maple syrup a thing? Because if it is not, it should be. This whiskey seems to show this in spades. The whiskey warms in your throat and belly, so the only thing missing really is a fresh plate of flapjacks.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Booker's Bourbon
Distiller Score 88
This bourbon is not for the weak. A very complex and intense nose that runs from oak, leather, caramel and hints of fruits continues on the tongue with a very pleasant burn that gives way to more leather, oak, vanilla, and spice. Ridiculously long finish opens up hints of cherry along with more oak and leather.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Distiller Score 90
The nose is sweet and rich with chocolate, vanilla, corn and toffee. A palate of smooth sweetness with a well balanced hint of spice. Think vanilla, chocolate with hints of tobacco giving way to red hots and rye spice. A long finish, continuing with the sweetness of the vanilla and chocolate with more hints of red hots and spice.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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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