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Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
Distiller Score 95
This bourbon offers a surprisingly gentle and aromatic bouquet for a spirit at 55% abv. Aromas of oak, cinnamon spice, vanilla pound cake predominate, with orange peel, coconut macaroon and grain notes playing a secondary role. On the palate, this is a flavorful, multilayered whiskey, with an initial hit of alcohol burn and a strong cinnamon and oak note giving way to vanilla, almond, toasted coconut, and mint before the cinnamon and baking spice notes return. The finish is long and enjoyable, with a distinct apple pie note followed by oak, baking spices, chocolate and finally, freshly baked snickerdoodle cookies before dissipating.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Hancock's President's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
Distiller Score 88
A light, sweet nose with caramel, tobacco, tropical fruit, and apple greets you on the nose. For a high-rye bourbon, the rye spice certainly doesn't exert itself, leaving the palate to lush, rich caramel, mocha, mango, toasted oak, and orange. The rye spice sneaks in at the end but doesn't draw much attention. The finish delivers dried apricots, oak, and caramel.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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I.W. Harper 15 Year Bourbon
Distiller Score 94
The nose on this bourbon is soft and mildly sweet, with vanilla, oak, toasted almond, freshly baked pound cake and a hint of orange blossom. On the palate, it is obvious that this is a high-corn bourbon, as an initial wave of sweetness and grain notes appears immediately, giving way to cinnamon, oak and hints of dried plum and chocolate. The mouthfeel is perfectly balanced at 86 proof, being neither too unctuous nor watery. A long satisfying finish with fresh mint, orange peel, milk chocolate and toasted almonds ends things nicely.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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High West Bourye (2015 Release)
Distiller Score 89
The spirit opens with spiced honey and caramel followed by whiffs of vanilla bean. Baked pear commands the glass on tasting; imagine the fruit drizzled with creamy toffee/butterscotch and dusted with white pepper for a lilting accent. The moderately long finish offers up oak and toasty spice that the incautious might be tempted to call curry-like, a quality, real or imagined, that helps make for a mean Perfect Manhattan.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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Rock Hill Farms Bourbon
Distiller Score 91
This whiskey greets you with a complex nose of dusty oak, wet saddle leather, dried figs, sweet Werther’s candies and a bouquet of baking spices. At first sip, soft dark chocolate, tobacco and a bit of toasted oak are followed shortly by poached pears, salted caramel and the spicy bite of rye. This whiskey finishes with as much complexity as it has expressed all along. You will enjoy mint, salty toasted walnuts, vanilla creme and a big baking spice and rye-biting tail. This whiskey is one to enjoy amongst great friends with plenty of time to savor.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Hirsch Small Batch Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Distiller Score 87
The first whiff carried a lot of alcohol and promises a fiery, and perhaps a rough-around-the-edges bourbon. After that initial assault, caramel corn, honey, oak, vanilla, and spice emerge. The palate boasts a lot of oak and warm spice, and is just a little rough, but in an enjoyable way. Lots of corn, vanilla, and cinnamon are in there as well. The finish is short but pleasant, with a little spicy orange zest joining the chorus.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Leopold Bros. Maryland-Style Rye
Distiller Score 86
The wood is notably light on the nose which allows the depth of the whiskey to really shine through. Aromas of baking spice, fennel, orange zest, and faint notes of eucalyptus and strawberries follow next. Upfront the flavors on the palate display a youthful spirit that has a nice mouth-feel for its age. Flavors of vanilla, cooked sugars, bright citrus and berries are then followed by Baker’s cocoa, clove, cinnamon, and a peppery and smoky rye spice. The finish rounds out this nuanced style of rye with a lingering vanilla and chocolate-covered berry sweetness that simply won’t let you forget this special dram.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Maker's Mark Cask Strength
Distiller Score 90
The nose is very grassy with hints of eucalyptus, tobacco, banana and hay. The heat comes on the palate much stronger than on the nose. Bright citrus brightens the char characteristics with orange zest and is followed by apricot. The finish is medium short with salinity holding up the last hints of vanilla and honeysuckle.
Reviewed by Dennis Gobis
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MB Roland Still and Barrel Proof Bourbon
Distiller Score 90
The high proof and youth delivers a whiff of alcohol on first nosing, but that settles down into honey, butterscotch, old earth, and cherries. Even with water, it's big and fiery, youthful but well-balanced. There's Andes Mints, caramel, and spice, all delivered with a real kick. This is a young bourbon done very well.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage 3
Distiller Score 86
The aroma is fairly intense with vanilla and barrel spices, but fruity aromas of cherries and apples were discovered as well. The body is decently full with more of the same qualities as the aroma. There's a peanut-y quality on the finish along with a fair dose of char smoke. Try as I might, I couldn't detect any sea salt.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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George T. Stagg Bourbon (Fall 2014)
Distiller Score 92
Very concentrated flavors of dark dried fruits (figs, dates), bittersweet chocolate (at least 80% strength), vanilla, dark pie cherries, molasses and cedar. The flavors are tight as a sausage casing until some water is added, then it really blossoms. As with many older bourbons, it has a certain mustiness, here very pleasant. Stagg always has a bit of a burn, but for fans, that's part of the fun!
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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St. George Single Malt Lot 14
Distiller Score 93
On the nose, you’ll find heavy cocoa, ripe mango, Gala apple, almonds and Nutella. The palate reveals a load of bready grain and honeysuckle under a prominent cocoa flavor. Overall, the whiskey is a lot of fun; it begins mildly, ripens to a viscous, malty crescendo that explodes in the middle, and then dries out for a lengthy finish. For extra credit, pair with a light lager for an interesting combination of light and bold flavors.
Reviewed by Michael J. Neff