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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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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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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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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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Arran 10 Year
Distiller Score 79
As you bring the glass to your nose, herbal and fruity aromas will greet you with notes of dry grasses, apple, honeydew, tart white raspberries, green raisins and delicate vanilla. On the palate this whisky has a pleasant rich creamy texture and flavors of tart green apple, big biscuity malts, and dried citrus peels. The finish lingers with a slightly syrupy citrus tail and toasted malt that speaks to the purity of this youthful island single malt.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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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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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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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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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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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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Auchentoshan American Oak
Distiller Score 87
Traditional bourbon characteristics pop out when smelling Auchentoshan American Oak such as vanilla and cinnamon but there's a trace of lemon zest as well. Diving a bit deeper into the dram, you'll find ginger, char smoke, and a trace of coconut.
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