-
Yamazaki 18 Year
Distiller Score 97
There is a rich and milky feel to the whisky. The flavors found here sound like they would make a fabulous dessert: dates, figs, honey, walnuts, and cinnamon. Despite these sweet descriptors, the whisky finishes dry with those tastes pleasantly remaining on your palate.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength
Distiller Score 87
Rich and extremely aromatic, the nose is dominated by an assortment of red fruits and chocolate, but there’s also mint, paint thinner, and soy. The palate is rich and fruity, with blackberries and plums, but it also has a nutty element, as well as cloves. Finally the finish shifts to a drier note, highlighted by tobacco leaves and cocoa.
Reviewed by Thijs Klaverstijn
-
WhistlePig The Boss Hog Straight Rye Whiskey
Distiller Score 92
Please do try both without water and with to see how each drop of water opens up the rye. Vanilla and cherry wood, cinnamon butterscotch, spiced & charred wood, peppercorns, the flavors go on and on. The whiskey warms you from the inside and has an everlasting gobstopper of a spicy finish.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Nikka Taketsuru 21 Year Pure Malt
Distiller Score 93
There are some incense qualities to the nose along with a nutty, sweet sherry'd aroma. A tinge of seaweed and moderate peat smoke tag along with bitter chocolate and coffee. The sweetness is displayed byway of dried fruits and sweet baking spices such as ginger and star anise. While richer than the 12 and 17 year old bottlings, the finish is quite dry.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Yamazaki 1984
Distiller Score 93
Fragrant with dark baking spices, incense, dark dried berries, and a dash of vanilla bean. These are the flavors that haunt my memories in the best possible way.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Lark Single Malt Distiller's Selection
Distiller Score 97
The aroma on the Distiller’s Edition focuses more on malt and dried herbs. A touch of barrel spices and seaweed join in on the fun and a faint hit of peat smokes wafts in the air. The peat reek increases on the palate and the fruit present is more of a citrus peel. The whisky is warming and inviting and finishes on the floral and dried fruit side.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The First
Distiller Score 85
Despite being bottled at 118 proof, the whisky is surprisingly easy to drink without water. The intensity picks up just a bit by adding a few drops of water to bring fresh nectarine, apple skin, vanilla, and cinnamon to the forefront. It is hard to believe the whisky is only three years old as many young whiskies aren't very dynamic. The First is a fantastic preview of what is to come from Ichiro and his Chichibu Distillery.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Sullivans Cove American Oak Bourbon Cask
Distiller Score 89
Knowing that it uses new American Oak casks and that the whisky tasted for review was aged exactly 13 years to the day, you might expect that this whisky would be a little more full-bodied. It has a pretty high vanilla character all the way through, with Asian pear and Gala apples reigning throughout the first sip. Soon after, the character develops and takes an almost 180 degree turn to Tellicherry black peppercorns with the whisky finishing on the slightly smoky side.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
-
Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength
Distiller Score 88
While extremely light on the palate, the flavors are very deep and complex. The grapey-ness of the wine influence really comes through, mixed with the cereal notes of the malted barley and the vanilla from the oak itself. The finish reminds a bit of a root-beer-flavored Life Saver candy, which makes it a fun sip. A drop of water makes the hot finish a bit more creamy.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
-
Lark Single Malt Cask Strength
Distiller Score 95
The smoke is initially muted, but opens up given time and water. What comes across is a rich malty character and red fruit. A vanilla ice cream sundae replete with chocolate sauce and cherries hits you on the palate though the finish is dry and spice filled. Peat smoke weaves in and out and there is a tinge of mossy, medicinal vegetation.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
Hakushu 18 Year
Distiller Score 90
Nose: Melon, Linen and Cinnamon. Tongue: Peat, Ink, lush Grass, Dark Chocolate, Honey. Notes: Exquisite, like a beautiful lover.
Reviewed by Pedro Shanahan
-
Hibiki 21 Year
Distiller Score 99
Tasting this whisky was one of those moments where your surroundings come to a halt and all of your senses are heightened. There is a beautiful marriage of grain and fruit expressed in this whisky. The sherry casks are quite evident with stone fruit and cherry mixed with warm baking spices and a light floral incense. The malt, however, is standing firm and not being over-powered by the fruit. There is a gentle wisp of smoke with the finish and it acts much like adding salt and pepper to your dish. Kudos to their master blender for a harmonious and elegant whisky.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno