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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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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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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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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
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Kavalan Manzanilla Single Cask
Distiller Score 92
Full-bodied nose with a tricky mix of roasted nuts, creamy chocolate, oak, exotic sandalwood and just a touch of sea spray. The flavors are just as integrated with fresh fruit, vanilla, toffee confections and a mineral saltiness. The finish is eye opening with Roman candle bursts of spice. This is what coffee drinks in the morning to wake up.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Canadian Club 40 Year
Distiller Score 96
This striking whisky balances old dusty oak with fresh lumber without being overwhelming. Instead, the oak gives the whisky a beautiful wood structure that allows big fruit flavors to sparkle. Dark plums, cloves, caramel, and cherry pipe tobacco slam the palate while a grapefruit pith quenches and curls in the mouth. A creamy spicy-sweet finish ends with a touch of straw. The Big Bad Wolf can huff and puff all he wants--this whisky’s full-bodied house is going nowhere.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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963 21 Year Fine Blended Whisky
Distiller Score 87
Intensity from the high ABV mellows out with the addition of caramel, wood spice, and smooth vanilla on the nose. The palate brings autumn pears and plums, as the vanilla builds. The balance is there but drops off nearing the end. The finish is oaky and sweet, lasting for a decent amount of time.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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Canadian Rockies 35 Year
Distiller Score 93
The nose is an assertive blend of caramel, herbal dilled pickle chips, cornhusk and old oak with a mention of cleaning solvents. A high-proof spicy heat melts the whisky in your mouth, not in your hands. Sweet dried fruits and vanilla seamlessly spring a finish that will out burn the sun. If you’re sitting across from someone drinking this stunner, apply sunscreen. Their bright smile may cause sunburn.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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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
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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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Heartwood The Revelation Single Malt
Distiller Score 94
The nose opens with vanilla-soaked cinnamon that escapes the prickling alcohol, and quickly moves to chocolate-covered berries, orange zest, grass, and honey. The charred oak finishes the nose comfortably. Hot in the mouth (it is, after all, 125 proof) with an incredibly wet syrup quality there’s an impressive balance of grass and chocolate. Floral caramel and sherried nuts are supported by the vanilla and oak, with a small hint of charred smoke at the end. The finish is long and reminiscent of toffee apples and sweet sugars. An incredible whisky.
Reviewed by Marcus Parmenter
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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