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Ledaig 10 Year
Distiller Score 90
There is a pleasant sweet bacon smoke on the nose along with some peanut brittle. The whisky is full and soft on the palate with a nice bit of bite. The smoke is more akin to roasting coals rather than wood and finishes with some baking spices
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Compass Box Great King St Glasgow Blend
Distiller Score 88
The most pronounced aroma is peat smoke, much like soot you'd find in a chimney. Hidden underneath all of that are sweet, malty notes. As you taste, there's a sweet middle that hits your tongue with a mixed fruit salad of mandarin, apples, and cherry. As you exhale, you feel as if you've just exhaled a puff of smoke. Overall, the peat and fruit seem to be arm-wrestling and the outcome keeps changing as to which one is going over the top.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Johnnie Walker Black Label: The Jane Walker Edition
Distiller Score 84
The Black Label is definitely known as the peated Johnnie, but what people don't discuss much are all the other goodies in the stocking. The nose displays vanilla cream, citrus zest, and nectarine and as you continue the journey, toasted malt, butterscotch, and golden raisins are there to greet you. The peat smoke present and accounted for, but is a smoldering fire at best.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Johnnie Walker Double Black
Distiller Score 85
Johnnie Walker has clearly turned the smoke knob to 11. Coal. Tar. Campfire. This might sound a bit intimidating, but if you chose to continue this journey, you'll find a nougat and honey center as well. But that nougat and honey center is wrapped in a cloak of charred smoke.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Ardmore Traditional Cask
Distiller Score 87
A variety of aromas hit the nose such as hay, dark chocolate, orange zest, and moss. Peat smoke is present, but plays a minor part here. The body has a slight oily quality to it and the taste is full of malt, barrel spices, and honey. The peat smoke turns up the volume on the finish and is the last to leave the party.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Kilkerran 12 Year
Distiller Score 92
Wow, where to begin? This has the bouquet of a feast. Bold smoked meat, butter cookies, grilled fruits, and milk chocolate. Smoke is noticeable throughout the palate. Herbaceous peat plays a smaller role but enough to give this an earthy dimension. Sweet vanilla malt and rich fruit are what tie everything together. The layered texture is great for something so packed with character. Add water to tame the smoke and embellish the fruit of this 12 year old savant.
Reviewed by Sam Davies
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Port Askaig 8 Year
Distiller Score 83
Zesty lemon, smoke, and iodine notes come say "hello" at first sniff, followed by buttery vanilla and cut grass. The palate is surprisingly sweet with caramel paste, honey-glazed barbecued bacon slices, lemongrass and charcoal. The finish is a bit spicier. The perfect companion for a BBQ evening with some friends.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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Highland Park 10 Year
Distiller Score 87
This fun whisky gives you a glimpse of what Highland Park was up to before its classic teen years. The new make’s peaty influence smacks with citrus fruit peel at their peak with a touch of the sea. In the mouth, smoke and grapefruit zest is still king but sweet honey, agave, and vanilla are at hand. The consistent smoke and citrus guide the unhurried finish. This is a respectable Highland Park prequel to the complex timeless classics.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Johnnie Walker Black Label
Distiller Score 84
The Black Label is definitely known as the peated Johnnie, but what people don't discuss much are all the other goodies in the stocking. The nose displays vanilla cream, citrus zest, and nectarine and as you continue the journey, toasted malt, butterscotch, and golden raisins are there to greet you. The peat smoke present and accounted for, but is a smoldering fire at best.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Té Bheag Connoisseurs' Blended Whisky
Distiller Score 89
A spirit-forward nose breaks into coastal-heavy sea spray with iodine and a splash of rubber cement. A floating peatiness brings the whisky loads of cozy warmth. Mild vanilla and lavender help to distract from the day at the beach. Raisins, apple and candied nuts fire up the mouth for the smoke show that drives the palate into a long hot and spicy finish.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Bowmore Legend
Distiller Score 83
The peat smoke is present, but not aggressively so. This allows the drinker to find the lemony citrus notes along with the maritime sea air and buttery toffee. The saltiness allows the mouth to water making this a suitable before dinner whisky. All in all, while there isn't a tremendous amount of depth to be found, it is pleasant both on the tongue and your pocketbook.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Compass Box Spice Tree
Distiller Score 94
A honeyed and unctuous whisky full of baking spices found in holiday desserts like orange peel, cloves, ginger and cinnamon. You don't have to put on your smoking jacket and slippers for this one, but it wouldn't hurt.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno