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Nikka Yoichi 20 Year
Distiller Score 96
Big and powerful throughout, the Yoichi 20 starts of with strong aromas of peat, licorice, and wood. On the palate dark chocolate and abundant smoke lead, as subtle, sweet fruit notes follow closely. The peat and rich sweetness rise and balance out on the finish, as the satisfying, creamy mouthfeel lingers on for what seems like forever.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The Peated 2015 Cask Strength
Distiller Score 92
This wonderful addition to Chichibu's The Peated range delivers greater power and peat than the releases before it. A salty sea breeze carrying earth, pine needles, grass, and smoked peat invades the nose. Depth and darkness define the palate, with charcoal, dark chocolate and licorice first, followed by cinnamon and pepper. The rich, oily mouthfeel and mineral-forward, sweet earthy finish make this one of the most complex Chichibu releases to date.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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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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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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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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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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Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The Peated 2012
Distiller Score 89
On the nose powerful oak and smoke make one believe this gem has aged much longer than three years. Balance is found, as creamy vanilla joins the bold smoke on the palate, with a touch of juicy forest fruit kicking in. Finishing with oak and gentle citrus, this is a peaty release that rivals many of the greats from Islay.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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The Essence of Suntory Whisky: Yamazaki Peated Malt
Distiller Score 89
Smoke comes through gently on the nose as if there's a fire burning in the distance. Some fruit aromas, (blackberries, cassis, and some sour citrus) lead to the palate, where the smoke builds, joined by cinnamon and cake spice. The palate remains light, allowing the peat to create a fresh earthiness, which lingers through the medium finish.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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Bakery Hill Cask Strength Classic Single Malt
Distiller Score 93
Wood smoke gives way to orange rind and some eucalyptus with some spice notes hanging in the back, present but evasive. The citrus is a zesty reminder that is present through the entire act of tasting. Beneath everything lies a slight hint of acetone, more noticeable if cut with water. There’s a pleasant vanilla taste in front of dark chocolate on the tongue which is sweeter than expected, though dismissed by the smoke and coal when they arrive. The finish is pleasantly long, very warming and peppery with some grass notes.
Reviewed by Marcus Parmenter
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Nikka Yoichi Woody & Vanillic
Distiller Score 89
Unexpectedly fruity with apple pie, roasted nuts, juicy apricots, and young oak on the nose. The palate introduces the vanilla alongside rich smoke. Creamy vanilla, cocoa, and juicy fruit bring a long finish, warmed by the rising presence of smoke.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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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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Bakery Hill Cask Strength Peated Malt
Distiller Score 92
The first smell from the whisky is that of an old mine-shaft, strong coal and mineral notes abundant. Old timbers surround these notes, and it descends into old books with light vanilla just at the edge and an after note of burnt wood. A viscous mouth-feel gives way to strong charcoal, and char grilled, salty peat. The finish is oily and medium, quickly evaporating and leaving remnants of fruit orchids, vanilla and soft smoke.
Reviewed by Marcus Parmenter