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Glenmorangie Nectar D'or 12 Year
Distiller Score 88
Much like the Sauternes wine itself, the nose and palate present lots of apricot, peach, and honey. The whisky, however, is still present with grains and wood spices like ginger and cinnamon. In addition, white grapes, coconut, and vanilla round out the sweet notes. Clearly, this would make a great after dinner dram, but don't overlook daytime drinking snacking on some charcuterie. Ain't nothing wrong with that!
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Tullibardine 500 Sherry Finish
Distiller Score 89
A pronounced spicy, chocolate-y sherry character to the nose, with toasted malt, brown sugar, figs, and citrus zest. The taste is similarly big on the sherry influence, with dark stewed fruit, chocolate covered cherries, and cinnamon all underscored by Tullibardine's signature creamy texture.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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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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Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Finish
Distiller Score 87
The Burgundy wine lends this whisky a nose of ripe red fruit, chocolate, and spice with a faint whiff of alcohol. Cream, toasted wood, and strawberries are there as well. The taste is big and rich, full of crème brûlée, baked apples, orange peel, red fruit, and nutmeg. A slight spiciness and dry oak assert themselves on a long, warm finish.
Reviewed by Keith Allison
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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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Arran Amarone Cask Finish Single Malt
Distiller Score 91
Due to the red wine aging, you'll notice a pink hue to the whisky. The nose is quite floral and full of red fruits with a pinch of salt. The palate continues on the fruit train with apricots and cherries and smidgen of bitter chocolate. If you chose to add water, please do so judiciously.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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The Glenrothes 1995
Distiller Score 91
For those that like their whiskies on the sweet side, step right up. This is a creamy and rich whisky with notes of almond covered toffee. Ripe apple fruits covered with cinnamon syrup and hints of orange zest round out the flavor profile.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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Aberlour 16 Year Double Cask Matured
Distiller Score 90
The aromas pour forth with a rich and creamy nose of sweet juicy raisins, bold spice, mild oak and a prominent nuttiness. The mouth speaks of balance between the two finishes, first of ripe plum and a delicate nuttiness, the second of vanilla, toasted oak and delicate baking spices. This whisky draws a seductively long finish of honey, spice, vanilla and dried dark fruits, which will keep you longing for another sip.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Peach Street Colorado Straight Bourbon
Distiller Score 83
As you bring this whiskey up to your face you smell big vanilla, and bold oak character with notable cinnamon and baking spice. Delicate undertones of Baker’s chocolate and baked red delicious apples follow. With your first sip, you taste rich vanilla, cinnamon and corn, with a hint of bright citrus peel. The flavors are rounded out with cooked apple, lingering baking spice and delicate toasted oak characteristics. The finish is short although the flavors of vanilla and cinnamon do linger.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Arran Cask Strength 12 Year Batch 3
Distiller Score 87
The aromas of this island single malt are rich with lots of dried tropical and dark fruits, bold clove, nutmeg, and allspice, with hints of burnt dark bread and toasted oak vanilla notes. There is a big spice, candied citrus and roasted nutty profile upon first sip with more nuanced flavors of chocolate-chip-brioche-bread-pudding, and memories of grandma’s Christmas pound cake as you settle in with this complex single malt. Subtle undertones of bitter Baker’s cocoa and unsweetened coffee linger before this whisky finishes hot and spicy. There is no doubt it is a treat to behold this whisky at the cask strength of 107.8 proof, but after spending some time nosing this beauty, don’t be shy with adding a few drops of spring water to encourage it to soften as it opens up to you.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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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