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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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Heaven Hill Select Stock Bourbon
Distiller Score 84
The high ABV makes itself immediately known in the nose, with a strong whiff of fiery spirit. Past that, there's orange oil, raisins, and something floral. In the mouth, it's fiery due to the high proof. Tamed by some water or left to breathe, one gets a very fruity bourbon, with apricots, banana, chocolate covered cherries, and caramel corn. Finish is hot, with some citrus bitterness. An odd bird, more ambitious than successful.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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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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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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Michter's 20 Year Single Barrel Bourbon
Distiller Score 94
Deep, dark caramel, molasses, vanilla and baking spices mixed with bittersweet chocolate and cashews. There's a subtle twang of cedar and patchouli to cut the sweetness, and a good, strong, classic leathery finish with only a slight burn.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Angel's Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels (2021 Edition)
Distiller Score 92
The whiskey is a beautiful red-hued dark brown in the glass. Juicy plums and red berries lead on the nose, along with peanuts, vanilla, cinnamon, and a spicy oak influence. The palate is rather approachable in spite of the high proof, and offers blackberries, red wine, spearmint, and toffee. A warming finish offers rich chocolate syrup, barrel char, sawdust, and peanut brittle.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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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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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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Angel's Envy Bourbon Finished in Tawny Port Wine Barrels (2020 Cellar Collection)
Distiller Score 92
At first sip, one might never guess the proof of this bourbon. It's delightfully rich, landing sweetly on the palate with notes of plum, pipe tobacco, and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. A subtle vanilla note lingers on the finish. Yet for all that, it's 111.6 proof. The bourbon wears its high abv remarkably well, softened (and given the slightest reddish hue) by its time in port barrel. It's an excellent sipping whiskey, the kind to end a night a with.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye (2019 Release)
Distiller Score 94
Chocolate opens up the nose—the coveted, crispy and burnt corners of brownies, along with cinnamon, cloves, and sour cherries, as well as oak and cedar. The palate showcases vanilla taffy and salted caramel moving towards the back end, with tannic, slightly green oak. The finish is a smooth drive into a vanilla extract, chocolate syrup, and rye spice sunset. (Barrel #19F965).
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Angel's Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels (2023 Edition)
Distiller Score 93
Tart lingonberries show up prominently on the nose, followed by brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. The palate showcases salted caramel, spearmint, candied orange peel, barrel char, and prunes. The finish is sweet, with raspberry syrup, grape juice, and dark chocolate, and closing notes of almonds, oak, and leather.
Reviewed by Jake Emen