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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
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Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon (2013)
Distiller Score 98
Hot on the nose with hints of rye bread, maple and peppermint. Coming in at barrel proof this whiskey does well with a touch of water to open up the aromas. Touches of lemon rind, green fig and nutmeg come through once opened. On the palate, chocolate, peppermint and maple are followed by a mild and ripe stone-fruit characteristic. The finish is long with woody notes and baking spices lingering throughout.
Reviewed by Dennis Gobis
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High West Rocky Mountain Rye 21 Year
Distiller Score 93
Imagine if you will, Little Red Riding Hood taking a wrong turn into a biker bar with her basket full of goodies. Cinnamon sugar cookies mingled with leather and tobacco might be strange to envision, but it is an accurate description of the whiskey. Vanilla and wood spices emerge, and as you sip, there's a momentary sweetness on your tongue. Dark rye grain and red apple skins linger on your palate. My, what big flavors you have! All the better to drink you up!
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Sazerac Rye 18 Year (Fall 2013)
Distiller Score 88
The nose finds rye, oak, orange, and pickle brine. A leathery palate of cinnamon, orange, crisp sugars and a rather oily mouthfeel. The finish is very, very long, with crisp sugar, clove, leather and tobacco.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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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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High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 10 (All Scenes)
Distiller Score 91
A pleasantly musty aroma that brings to mind a batch of grape jelly simmering on a stove near stacks of old books with leather bindings describes the nose. The palate brings serious rye realness, with warming flavors of toasted, seeded rye bread, oregano and thyme along with dried figs and dates, cloves, and a hint of marzipan adding to the long, dry-yet-fruity and spicy (and slightly leathery) finish.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Old Blowhard 26 Year Bourbon
Distiller Score 81
Naturally, with more age you will experience more barrel influence in the whiskey. In this case, the oak and char seem to overwhelm most of the character you happen to find. Vanilla and caramel can be sussed out along with overcooked apples. The finish is peppery and on the bitter side of life. It may not be a bad thing that there is not more of this to sell.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Hirsch Selection 28 Year Bourbon
Distiller Score 97
The nose is soft at first and but as you dive deeper you become bathed in the peppered, rich toffee and dried apricot notes. Vanilla, walnut and nutmeg enrich the complex woody whiskey. There’s a lingering finish of soft caramel and toffee with well-defined clove and earth. All of these flavors work in concert making this dangerously easy to drink. Please DO NOT mix this with Cola.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Angel's Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels (2020 Edition)
Distiller Score 94
There's a lot going on with the aroma including toasted peanuts, caramel, barrel spices, toasted grains, and fruit which all together is reminiscent of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. If you add just a splash of water the sweet corn comes through as does a fruit mélange. However, this is still a high proof bourbon so those fruit notes are just the accent. More spices and char smoke come through on the palate and the bourbon feels rich and slick. Overall a solid and fun dram. Enjoy as a nightcap; you deserve it.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2020)
Distiller Score 94
You'll find quite a wide array of aromas from the sweet (vanilla, milk chocolate, sweet corn,) to the fruity (lemon peel, apple & cherry fruits) to the savory (brown butter, gentle barrel spices, toast). As you taste, rye spice comes through as well as a moderate oaky flavor, but the bourbon isn't too chewy or tannic. You can still find those fruit and sweet notes too. A bit of leather shows up as well. The finish is lengthy with a tangy, bittersweet profile as well as a touch of green vegetal notes. A great bourbon that shows dimension. Would serve neat or with a splash of cool water.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Wild Turkey Master's Keep Revival
Distiller Score 95
Strawberry jam on warm cornbread pulls you in on the nose, with red fruits, rye spice, cocoa powder and oak. The palate kicks off with vanilla, syrupy pancakes, baking spices, and black pepper, with milk chocolate and oak coming on late. A long-lasting finish showcases brown sugar, rich vanilla sweetness, and a dose of spearmint, along with leather, and more oak and spice. Very much an amplified, fruitier Wild Turkey.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Lux Row Double Barrel Bourbon 12 Year
Distiller Score 91
The rye really comes through on this high-proof bourbon from Lux, offering a bold clove spice and mild medicinal note alongside rich vanilla and cherrywood. The finish is sweet and warming, and while it certainly brings some heat, it's smoother than one might expect for 118.2 proof. A few drops of water will help open it up, bringing out softer, nuttier notes.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier