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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 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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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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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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Macallan 1824 Series Ruby
Distiller Score 90
Obviously the color is dark and invites one to think of red fruits. Not a bad idea since I get on the nose plenty of dry fruits like prunes and raisins, but also dark chocolate and tobacco. On the mouth, the body is actually lighter than you would expect, but also spicier, with cinnamon and almost chili pepper. Then it comes back to the dry fruits and chocolate listed above, before showing more caramel aromas, without being over sweet. This is a complex whisky that is constantly evolving and changing its profile. In a very good way.
Reviewed by Julien Le Doaré
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Buchanan's Red Seal
Distiller Score 94
An intense mixture of dried fruits - dates, figs, raisins, prunes - adds jammy sweetness to initial sips. Then the dram opens up to vanilla, toffee and caramel notes with some golden apple and pear. The medium to long finish is lightly smoky with malted chocolate and hints of nutmeg, with that tart fruit hanging in the balance. A very elegant and regal-tasting blend indeed!
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Auchentoshan 21 Year
Distiller Score 90
There is a rich milk chocolate note coupled with vanilla that is immediately apparent. Holiday spices are present, but don't bully their way to be noticed. Creamy and full, the aroma follows through on the palate with a side order of dried apricots and ginger.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 1
Distiller Score 98
This is a most delicate and enjoyable whisky. The various casks and decades represented each have a unique story to tell in terms of flavor and aroma that unfold with each sip - milk chocolate, toffee, vanilla, citrus peel, honey, salty pretzels, gingerbread spices, even a fragrant bouquet of spring flowers. It sounds like there's a lot going on, but each of these flavors compliments the other instead of fighting them. It's quite the treat if you can get your hands on it!
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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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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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
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Teeling Silver Reserve 21 Year Single Malt
Distiller Score 93
Tropical fruits hit the senses with this whiskey, mango perhaps? Cooked banana? These notes continue on the palate with a bit of dried ginger, fresh grass, and pastry dough. Depending on your palate, this may be too fruit-forward for you, but I'd suggest trying this with a cheese plate for your dessert.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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