-
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
-
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
-
Hibiki 17 Year Chrysanthemum & Crane
Distiller Score 93
Gentle fruit lead the nose with melon, juicy peaches, and apricots competing, as freshly cut roses and honey hide in the background. The palate rolls in smooth with dark cherries atop a thick base of caramel and vanilla. Juicy fruit return on the finish, and linger playfully.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
-
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
-
M&H APEX White Wine Cask
Distiller Score 92
The nose is buttery and creamy with the wine's influence, and also showcases fudge, vanilla pudding, and stone fruits. The palate is rich, with salted caramel and white wine, along with a savory and herbal undertone, with notes of thyme and sage. The finish offers waxy honey, cantaloupe, dried fruits and oak.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
-
Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel 2013
Distiller Score 91
The influence of the bourbon in the humid Japanese climate brings a swarm of pineapple and mango, with rich waves of vanilla, caramel, and sweet pastry notes. Rich, full, pleasantly sweet, and a magnificent end to a great range. Here's hoping it kicks off again.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
-
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
-
Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The Floor Malted
Distiller Score 90
The whisky brings a flurry of honey, apples, vanilla, and juicy peaches. Powerful cereal and malt on the palate join the fruit while bitter chocolate makes an appearance. The finish is long for a three year-old whisky, with malt and vanilla notes lasting the longest.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
-
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
-
Crown Royal Golden Apple 23 Year
Distiller Score 75
As you would expect, the aroma on the nose is that of apples, mostly tart Granny Smith. But there seems to be a mix of fresh, baked, and dried apple aromas here which seems promising. Whisky scents, however, are tough to find. As you taste, the apple flavors again are front and center and the taste is fairly sweet. Other notes like pastry crust and gentle oak are here, but you really have to search for them. It feels full and supple in the mouth. Unfortunately, while the aroma is inviting the taste doesn't deliver the nuance that you would expect for a extra aged whisky.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
-
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
-
Mars Tsunuki The First Single Malt
Distiller Score 94
People of a certain age will remember the taste of peach melba, and this whisky is exactly it in liquid form! This tropical, fruity whisky shows dominant flavors and aromas of tart peach, mango and pineapple, with creamy vanilla rice pudding and a hint of marzipan on the palate. The finish gets less fruit-jammy with a hint of tobacco, clove and dark chocolate. A pour or two of this could work well as an aperitif or a summer dessert whisky.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster