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Elijah Craig 21 Year Single Barrel Bourbon
Distiller Score 87
The 21 year is “slow to warm up” but as it does, you will enjoy smells of slightly burnt orange, dark dried fruits, dark salted caramel and of earthy leather and dusty woody chips. The palate speaks of a nuttiness that is reminiscent of toasted almonds and candied walnuts, toffee and dark caramel, and rich baking spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and clove from time in barrel with a round spicy white pepper to balance with the sweet baking spice. The finish is anything but abrupt; you’ll enjoy a rich finish of baking spice, vanilla caramel, and subtle dried fruits. This is a whiskey that should neither be rushed nor neglected, it is truly a choose your own adventure whiskey. Although it may be great in a simple classic cocktail, do its makers a favor and enjoy it eye to eye; it lends itself best to being enjoyed neat, with just a touch of water, or over a large ice cube.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve (2009 Release)
Distiller Score 85
The nose offers up big sweet fruit aromas of black plums, honeydew melons and nutty banana bread with underlying spicy notes of clove, nutmeg, warm cinnamon, and fennel fronds. On the palate, this mildly sweet whiskey displays notable woody characteristics, ripe red berries, caramelized bananas, and a decadent fudgy dark chocolate. This is followed by an exquisitely long finish bouncing back from grain to fruit and spice.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Macallan Fine Oak 25 Year
Distiller Score 93
A robust aroma of peach, blood orange and coconut greet you as you take bring the glass to your nose. There are wood spices found, but become integrated on the palate. The retro-nasal flavor profile is fruit, floral, and fresh despite the 25 years of age. A slight smoke lingers on your palate on the finish.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Glenmorangie Burgundy Wood Finish
Distiller Score 90
There's a very complex nose to this one, a swirl of crème brûlée, peppery spice, chocolate, and cherries all floating on top a whiff of salty sea air. In the mouth, it's a thick, well-balanced combination of oaky spice, red fruit, raisins, sea salt, and caramel. It's a warm, lingering finish full of dark fruit, oak, and cream.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Dalmore King Alexander III
Distiller Score 88
With all of those wine finishes, you'd expect the nose to be fruit filled, but it is also floral. Each one of the wines themselves are so expressive, providing red fruit, nuts, winter spices, and chocolate. The dark malty character is still there underneath it all.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Dewar's Signature
Distiller Score 93
If anything is Dewar's signature, it's honey. This bottling has it in spades. The texture is chewy and also includes berries, vanilla cream, and chocolate. Kudos to their former Master Blender, Tom Aitken for creating this blend.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Glenfarclas 40 Year
Distiller Score 94
Dark honey, roasted cereal, dark molasses, baked pears, cinnamon, maybe some walnut; these are some of the aromas found in this whisky. Going back for more you'll find orange peel, black tea, tobacco; this is something you'll want to drink by the fireplace. The finish is slightly bitter, but is lengthy.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak Cask
Distiller Score 90
They've brought us some figgy pudding, indeed. Rich dried fruits like figs and dates, some toasted nuts and and a scent of freshly peeled oranges are what you'll find with this whisky. These flavors stay with you for quite some time and eventually turn bitter with some charred smoke from the barrels.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Tullibardine 20 Year
Distiller Score 89
The nose is wonderful and brings honey and vanilla, allspice, oatmeal cookies, even something a little tropical like cocoa butter and papaya. The taste follows suit, with lots of vanilla, salted caramel, malt, orange oil, and oak. The wood threatens the other flavors but never goes overboard. The finish is medium and sweet, and full of Tullibardine's signature vanilla note as well as gingerbread and raisin.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Glenlivet 25 Year
Distiller Score 92
The nose is quite aromatic with candied orange, vanilla, and wood spices. Sweetness takes over the palate with caramel, more vanilla, and sweet malt cereal. The sherry influence comes through on the finish with dried fruit and almonds.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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The Glenrothes 1985 2nd Edition
Distiller Score 93
Rich, sweet, and fruity on the nose, full of caramel, malt, buttery cinnamon toast, pears, and cream. The taste sticks with what the nose suggests then adds oak, chocolate, and orange zest to the mix. The long finish drifts dreamily from oak spice and chocolate-orange sweetness.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Compass Box Hedonism Quindecimus
Distiller Score 88
The first approach is very soft and not very expressive. This whisky needs a bit of time in the glass to develop and reveal its complexity. Eventually, fruit appears - specifically a fair amount of white peaches, melon and baked lemon. On the palate, it is mellow leading to oak which provides just enough of dryness and even hint of smokiness to balance the overall gentle character of the whisky. This is a very good whisky, even more elaborate and complex than the standard Hedonism bottlng.
Reviewed by Julien Le Doaré