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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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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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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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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 The Boss Hog VII: Magellan's Atlantic
Distiller Score 96
The aroma of this whiskey is rather unique with the teakwood bringing a musky almost incense like aroma. The spices found are more of the sweet nature rather than the hot/peppery ones. As you taste, the rye is moderately full on the palate with those notes found in the aroma continuing on the taste. The rye is warming on the palate, but not harsh without water. The finish has almost a mulled wine quality to it. The length is long lasting and thought provoking. It's refreshing not to have yet another wine finished whiskey.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Hakushu 25 Year
Distiller Score 95
Smoke is evident on the nose alongside the expected floral purity, accompanied by rich toffee and spiced apples. The palate is dominated by sherry and smoked oak. Rhubarb, strawberries, walnuts, and a touch of spearmint all dance atop a rich and oily canvas. Oak, smoke, and fresh herbs lead a long, lingering finish.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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Sullivans Cove French Oak Port Cask
Distiller Score 93
Caramelized barley lends to a peaty backbone that barely gives the smoke any legs at all. The proof is subtle and lends to a vegetal green pepper/purple radish flavor before the peat picks up again. It ends with a molasses and smoked banana fruitiness similar to 15-20 year aged rums, no doubt due to the French ex-port barrel.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Heartwood Convict Resurrection Single Malt
Distiller Score 92
Wood, cherry, sultanas and leather open with a hint of onions. It is heavy on the nose, almost sleeping, but can be coaxed to release honey, allspice, red-wine-vinegar, and pepper before slight chocolate-honey notes. It has an initial viscous burn in the mouth, before moving into an almost meaty territory. Cloying, it follows with rum, hay and grass, before a faint leathered tobacco and spiced vanilla. Quite salty, with a long finish of mossy sulfur and smoke.
Reviewed by Marcus Parmenter
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Yamazaki 18 Year
Distiller Score 97
There is a rich and milky feel to the whisky. The flavors found here sound like they would make a fabulous dessert: dates, figs, honey, walnuts, and cinnamon. Despite these sweet descriptors, the whisky finishes dry with those tastes pleasantly remaining on your palate.
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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WhistlePig The Boss Hog 六: The Samurai Scientist
Distiller Score 92
This cask strength rye is both substantial and very fun. It's spicy up front, with a bit of a savory and herbaceous qualities alongside the vanilla and charred oak. A few drops of water open it up to reveal sweeter notes of apple and cardamom; it finishes dry but with a subtle fruit note. It's difficult to say how much of the flavor comes from the umeshu barrel, but it's a unique and enjoyable rye -- and at 120 proof or more, a little goes a long way.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier