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Barrell Craft Spirits Gray Label Seagrass (2022 Release)
Distiller Score 92
The nose offers creamy vanilla, rice pudding, and banana bread flecked with cinnamon. The palate has a multitude of sugary fruits, including watermelon Jolly Ranchers, canned peaches in syrup, and macerated grapes. The lengthy finish is rich and flavorful, with dried apricots, spearmint, baking spices, and vanilla bean ice cream. Almost startling how little heat there is given the proof.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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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
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Hibiki 30 Year
Distiller Score 97
Orange marmalade, rich dark chocolate, and apricots come first. Then, aromas of coffee, pepper, and tangerines. The nose is complex, to say the least. Oak and spice lead the palate. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper blend in with rich oak, thick caramel, roasted marshmallows, and sweet malt. The long finish brings a touch of spearmint through the dark oak.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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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
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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
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Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength
Distiller Score 93
Nose starts surprisingly with honeysuckle, before moving to candied fruits, citrus zest, and dark brown sugar. The mouthfeel is syrupy, with bitter dark chocolate, red fruits and berries, nuttiness, molasses, and maple syrup drenched brioche. The cask strength shows with heat on a supremely lengthy but resoundingly smooth finish, with hints of leather and shoe polish mingling with oak, nuts, candied orange peel, and citrus oils. Add water, and more rich chocolate and sweetness emerges, followed by touches of raspberry and spice.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Kavalan Solist Fino Single Cask Strength
Distiller Score 87
A rich and winey opening on the nose, dark sugars atop a bed of fruits in the hot summer sun. On the tongue, it is full and rich with dark plums, cherries, cinnamon, toffee and cinnamon-raisin toast coming through and surprisingly the palate with their vigor. The finish is long and well spiced, tingling the tongue with Muscat-soaked nuts and cream that rests perfectly on the tongue.
Reviewed by Marcus Parmenter
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Yamazaki 25 Year (Discontinued)
Distiller Score 96
The nose is exceptional. Dried figs, peaches, apples and walnuts. Aromas of old oak, roasted almonds, and rich sherry join the fruit. The mouth-coating, rich mouthfeel allows the fruit notes to escalate, as the presence of cinnamon and winter spice becomes evident. The finish is long, rich and oily, with hints of dark chocolate, licorice, and sweet, aged plums throughout.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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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
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Whistlepig 18 Year Double Malt Rye (1st Edition)
Distiller Score 83
The nose brings together an interesting mix of lemon and tomato leaf that form a somewhat soapy aroma. That palate is light with vanilla and bread notes up front. Some pepper notes perk up right near the finish.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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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
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Canadian Club Chronicles 41 Year
Distiller Score 96
The history of Canadian Club is steeped into this elegantly layered whisky. Its close-knit flavor profile develops from a nose of buttery vanilla, almond and brown sugar through creamy sweet maple tones and rich stone fruits. These flavors and textures transition onto the palate with a crisp dry oak supporting the sweetness with grace. Rye spices and ginger develop on the roof of the mouth through the classiest of finishes.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips