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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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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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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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Chivas Regal 25 Year
Distiller Score 89
Chivas always delivers dried fruits initially, and this 25 year-old is no different, with raisin, dry apricots and peaches making an impression. In mouth, the body is actually lighter than the dark color would suggest. The taste starts with the same fruity approach, but with more citrus zests and fresh orange segments. Then come the sweetness, vanilla and cinnamon, plus a touch of smokiness that gives structure to the whisky. It all works very well together.
Reviewed by Julien Le Doaré
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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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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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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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Aultmore 21 Year
Distiller Score 90
Fragrant notes of floral honey and malt notes hit your senses before you even put the glass to your nose. As you dig a little deeper you get some lemony sweet tea, vanilla, and mint. The palate isn't very rich, but has more honey notes, this time more dark amber. The finish shows some milk chocolate and gentle wood spices. This would be a great gateway dram for a bourbon drinker who doesn't think they like Scotch.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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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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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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William Larue Weller Bourbon (Fall 2013)
Distiller Score 96
A nose full of caramel, molasses and maple sugar candy gives way to the palate of seeded fruit on toast with butter and cinnamon sugar. The finish is long and complex, with light tobacco, leather and more cinnamon sugar.
Reviewed by Rob Morton