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Westland Solum Edition 2
Distiller Score 89
Fireplace shows up early on the nose, along with cherrywood, black pepper, vanilla pudding, and green-herbal characteristics. On the palate, find barrel char, peat smoke side by side with fresh, wet soil, macerated berries, and dark chocolate brownies. The finish offer a simmering mesquite BBQ type smoke, along with tannic oak and sour cherries.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year
Distiller Score 89
Nose is full of oak, baking spices, vanilla and char. The palate is thick and viscous with more oak, spice, leather, and tobacco. Finish is long and can at certain points be unwanted. Overpowering burnt sugar, charred wood, and wood.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year
Distiller Score 92
A nose of honey, clove, rye, oak and the initial blast of heat. The palate is filled with spicy cinnamon and Szechuan peppercorns before fruity notes of cherry and pear appear. Maple sugar candy rounds off the taste. Finish is long and complex with cherries and pepper notes continuing through.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Westland Garryana 2019 Edition 41
Distiller Score 88
Westland Distillery does a great job of reflecting a certain Pacific Northwest character in their malts. Brooding notes of dark malt and wood char give way to to lighter briny/ green olive/ peppermint aromas on the nose. The palate is muscular and savory. Dark bread and black pepper linger long afterwards and bristle at the sides of the tongue.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Charbay Hop Flavored Whiskey Release III
Distiller Score 94
There's almost a cognac-like elegance to the nose of this whiskey. The palate is quite hot and the flavors are massively concentrated. There's deep espresso, savory and floral hops, and secondary citrus flavors. A bit of water is a must. With a few drops, everything comes alive, particularly the hops which are clear and present all the way into the never-ending finish. This is a must for lovers of hoppy beer and those looking for something completely outside the box.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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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
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Sazerac Rye 18 Year (Fall 2013)
Distiller Score 88
The nose finds rye, oak, orange, and pickle brine. A leathery palate of cinnamon, orange, crisp sugars and a rather oily mouthfeel. The finish is very, very long, with crisp sugar, clove, leather and tobacco.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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Angel's Envy Bourbon Finished in Mizunara Oak
Distiller Score 91
The nose offers caramel, cinnamon, sour cherries and peanuts, along with a waft of incense. The palate showcases black pepper, oak, Baker's chocolate, berries and green apple, with the Mizunara presence really coming on strong towards the back, with black pepper, cedar and sandalwood. A long finish is tannic and spice forward, with smoky undertones.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Hirsch Selection 28 Year Bourbon
Distiller Score 97
The nose is soft at first and but as you dive deeper you become bathed in the peppered, rich toffee and dried apricot notes. Vanilla, walnut and nutmeg enrich the complex woody whiskey. There’s a lingering finish of soft caramel and toffee with well-defined clove and earth. All of these flavors work in concert making this dangerously easy to drink. Please DO NOT mix this with Cola.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Wild Turkey Master's Keep Revival
Distiller Score 95
Strawberry jam on warm cornbread pulls you in on the nose, with red fruits, rye spice, cocoa powder and oak. The palate kicks off with vanilla, syrupy pancakes, baking spices, and black pepper, with milk chocolate and oak coming on late. A long-lasting finish showcases brown sugar, rich vanilla sweetness, and a dose of spearmint, along with leather, and more oak and spice. Very much an amplified, fruitier Wild Turkey.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon (2013)
Distiller Score 98
Hot on the nose with hints of rye bread, maple and peppermint. Coming in at barrel proof this whiskey does well with a touch of water to open up the aromas. Touches of lemon rind, green fig and nutmeg come through once opened. On the palate, chocolate, peppermint and maple are followed by a mild and ripe stone-fruit characteristic. The finish is long with woody notes and baking spices lingering throughout.
Reviewed by Dennis Gobis
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Heaven's Door The Bootleg Series Volume IV: Lighthouse in Maine
Distiller Score 93
The nose presents a pleasant aroma of light caramel, toasted oak, toasted wheat bread and a touch of apple skin. Gentle peat smoke is present as a back note. Tasting at cask strength is a little tannic and tight, but not a huge chore. The taste leans more savory than sweet, but there's enough sweetness here for balance. Again, the peat smoke is relegated to the background, but this soft touch is appreciated. Would recommend adding a splash of water to really open those aromas on the nose and to make the taste have a gentler landing. Barrel spices are well integrated and the long finish winds up on the bittersweet side with a touch of smoke. This won't please the intense peat heads perhaps, but it's an approachable solid whiskey for everyone else.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno