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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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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
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GlenDronach Tawny Port Finish 15 Year
Distiller Score 90
The nose of this whisky brings to mind a lovely Sunday brunch with flaky maple-glazed pastries and red berries alongside candied citrus peels. Salted caramel is present in both aroma and flavor with rich baking spices and espresso. This is a dram you should sip slowly; it matures as it opens and gets darker and richer, revealing whispers of cocoa, black pepper, and a Cointreau-esque orange flavor.
Reviewed by Nicole Gilbert
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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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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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Tullibardine Artisan
Distiller Score 92
Fruity aromas of quince, pear, green apple and honey meet the nose. More fruitiness in the form of tart cherry and dried figs mingle with marzipan, vanilla, salty, buttered pastry dough, dark chocolate and sweet spices play with the malty richness on the tongue. The overall effect is somewhat creamy and rich, but the tartness and roastiness add a delicate balance to this lovely Christmas pudding of a whisky that has a long, satisfying finish.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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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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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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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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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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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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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