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Connemara Original Peated Single Malt
Distiller Score 83
Up front aromas of peat smoke speak of a tradition that has long since faltered, but this whiskey is anything but one-dimensional. Behind the peat are delicate floral and honey notes, backed by sweet tones of malted barley and charred oak. One sip reveals the complexity of this whiskey with rich notes of cocoa, smoked honey and toasted barley with distinct highlights of bright peat smoke. The finish lingers with layers of smoke, sea salt and heather honey.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey
Distiller Score 84
Rubbery peat and dried fruits hit the nose with orange zest and sweet spices. Lapsang souchon tea, vanilla, pear, cinnamon, clove, ginger, and allspice make up the main flavors of the palate. The smoke is fairly dominant, through the fruitiness and spice does get a chance, albeit a small one to come in. It's almost like sipping fruity whiskey from an ashtray instead of a more integrated flavor combination.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Locke's 8 Year Single Malt
Distiller Score 87
A big blast of vanilla on the nose, along with mint, oak, malted milk balls, and a hint of peat. On the palate there's peaches and cream, pepper, melon, honey, and oak. The peat doesn't show up until the finish, and then only briefly.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Tyrconnell Single Malt
Distiller Score 87
The aromas and tastes exuding from the glass such as toasted cereal, lemons, and a touch of honey are clean and pronounced. There is a slight charred taste on the finish along with some dried herbs action and it finishes with a gentle spicy bite.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Slane Special Edition Extra Virgin Oak
Distiller Score 84
This is more savory than sweet with some charred barrel notes, natural rope, vanilla, and a touch of lemon peel and dried red fruits. It's bittersweet on the palate and again more on the savory side. More oak flavors shine through, particularly the char. The grain whiskey peaks out with a touch of corn and overall there is a medium spice factor which makes it tingle on the gums. Solid proof. Try it on the rocks to go with the whole rock and roll theme.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Bushmills Original
Distiller Score 84
For a young blended Irish whiskey, there's quite a bit going on. Aromas of pear, honey, and yeasty fresh bread come out first to say hello followed by nods from wood spices, grass, and toasted sugar. The finish is short and sweet.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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The Pogues Irish Whiskey
Distiller Score 82
The aroma is filled with dark tones of leather, tar, and a touch of smoke with sweet honey notes hiding in the background. As you taste, the whiskey shows more of the grain flavors along with some cooked pears. There's a nice bite to the finish with more of the char smoke to end with. These characteristics don't stay with you for long but this whiskey seems to be built for those of us going where streams of whiskey are flowing.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Special Reserve
Distiller Score 90
The nose is not super intense, but you do find vanilla, char smoke, and other bourbon influences. There is more of the same on the palate with a touch of sweetness on the entry. The sherry wood character doesn't poke its head in until the very last minute as a dried fruit and nutty aftertaste.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Jameson Crested
Distiller Score 90
The makeover of the cult classic Crested Ten is hot on the nose but subdued with sweet maple butter and toffee. Pepper and ginger-spice puff from the bottle. Then it’s vanilla popping into silky honey and dried fruits in the mouth. The finish hits with a confident sherry scorched wood.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey
Distiller Score 84
This whiskey is all about the oak. Barrel spices, dark vanilla, and toasted nut and cereal notes all come through on the nose, but the wood is most prominent. The spices really come in as you taste with a moderately full body. Just enough sweetness to help smooth those rough edges down. You can almost see the oak barrels in your glass. The proof gives it a nice bite and it makes sense when making cocktails. Otherwise, expect a pretty dry finish if drinking neat.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Bushmills Black Bush
Distiller Score 85
As the name suggests, the color of the whiskey is dark as are the spices and fruits you find in the dram. The texture is nicely full and smooth. There are times when you want loads of complexity in your whiskey, a whiskey to ponder your future. And then there are other times, when you're at your favorite dive bar, you know, the one with the great jukebox and the crappy lighting. This is the whiskey that you order.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Knappogue Castle 12 Year Bourbon Cask Matured
Distiller Score 91
Golden honey emanates from the glass with notes of menthol and grassy herbs. The palate is rich with nougat and malt with moments of wood spices and mint.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno