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Highland Park 30 Year
Distiller Score 97
It is wise to take your time with a dram of this nature. Honey dotted with salt crystals, raspberries and cream, ethereal wisps of peat smoke, these are a few images that come to mind by simply inhaling the whisky. As you taste, you'll find a lively whisky with more chocolate and barrels spices than juicy fruits with the continued haze of smoke on your palate.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Nikka Taketsuru 21 Year Pure Malt
Distiller Score 93
There are some incense qualities to the nose along with a nutty, sweet sherry'd aroma. A tinge of seaweed and moderate peat smoke tag along with bitter chocolate and coffee. The sweetness is displayed byway of dried fruits and sweet baking spices such as ginger and star anise. While richer than the 12 and 17 year old bottlings, the finish is quite dry.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Laphroaig 18 Year
Distiller Score 90
If you're looking for the peat, the whole peat, and nothing but the peat, you're in for a disappointment. That element comes at you like a gentle kitten rather than a feral tomcat. Age has a way of reducing the amount of peat phenols in the whisky and that has happened here. Floral, heathery notes are found with stone fruits and a lingering syrup sweetness to finish the dram.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Laphroaig 30 Year The Ian Hunter Story Book 1
Distiller Score 93
The nose starts with a teriyaki glazed roast, with honey and meatiness, alongside creamsicle, lemon zest, heather and seawater. More of Laphroaig's typical peat smoke, charcoal and salt come out to play on the palate, all working alongside sweet vanillins of toffee and fudge. A long lasting finish is minty, peppery and herbal, with oak and pine, ash, and canned peaches.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Bowmore 25 Year
Distiller Score 93
Strong sherry aroma on the nose with figs and orange peel standing out. Gentle peat follows with lots of almond aromas as well. The sherried, oxidized notes are dialed back just a bit on the palate, but you'll find a pleasant mix of sweet vanilla and malt along with peat smoke. The long finish is dry and spicy with a smoke ring surrounding it all.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Highland Park The Dark 17 Year
Distiller Score 91
Milk chocolate covered candied oranges lead on the nose, with sherried fruits and citrus peel, all atop of a sultry, smoky, salty side underneath. The palate gets started with more sherry, showcasing walnuts, dark red fruits, dark chocolate, and burnt caramel, along with sea salt, as well as iodine and seashell. A tingly finish showcases salt and pepper, with resonating smoke and earthy peat.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Oban 21 Year Cask Strength
Distiller Score 97
As this is cask strength, it strikes me a bit hot on the nose, but that quickly subsides to some lovely salt air and a bit of peppered caramel. The mouth-feel is soft but assertive, salty and crisp with a bit of cucumber. Once the vegetation subsides a very bold nuttiness ensues with rich roasted chestnuts. If the bar you are in has this, please don’t let it sit on the shelf, drink it!
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Highland Park Loki
Distiller Score 91
The peat aroma is certainly more intense than you might expect from Highland Park. On the palate there's a close race between the sweet maple notes and the spiced ones that ends with the latter winning in a photo finish. Fruit appears in the form of orange peels and dried cherries. The malty quality to the whisky isn't covered by the fruit. The finish is on the sweet-smoky-meaty side.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Ardbeg Arrrrrrrdbeg!
Distiller Score 90
The color of the dram is a pale gold and the aroma from the glass exhibits peat smoke, sweet malt, grassy and mossy notes, along with a sea spray and lemon zest. It's an inviting nose for sure. The whisky is somewhat plush and slightly oily on the palate and there's a peppery bite from the alcohol. But the sweet malt comes through and tames the spicy bite a bit. There's a touch of vanilla and chocolate notes along with some oak. The rye flavor comes through on further sips, but it's just a secondary note. With water it comes through a bit more but the barley nuttiness and the peat influences are still front and center. Overall it's another fun release from Ardbeg.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Lark Single Malt Distiller's Selection
Distiller Score 97
The aroma on the Distiller’s Edition focuses more on malt and dried herbs. A touch of barrel spices and seaweed join in on the fun and a faint hit of peat smokes wafts in the air. The peat reek increases on the palate and the fruit present is more of a citrus peel. The whisky is warming and inviting and finishes on the floral and dried fruit side.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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WhistlePig The Boss Hog Straight Rye Whiskey
Distiller Score 92
Please do try both without water and with to see how each drop of water opens up the rye. Vanilla and cherry wood, cinnamon butterscotch, spiced & charred wood, peppercorns, the flavors go on and on. The whiskey warms you from the inside and has an everlasting gobstopper of a spicy finish.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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