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Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky
Distiller Score 91
This is not "Japanese Bourbon" or even "Japanese Corn Whiskey." This is quite something...else. There is no age statement, but the benchmark for this whisky is 8-12 years. The profile is carnival candy filled, and while it is slick, it is not sticky sweet on your palate. Some vanilla and cinnamon are added to the flavors found along with honey wine and peaches.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Suntory Royal
Distiller Score 94
Nose: Incense, Cocoa, Butter Cookie. Tongue: Butter Cookie, Green Apple, Bell Pepper and Banana, Roasted Almond. Notes: This whiskey is incredible, the best Japanese Blend I’ve ever tasted. Intricate, layered and long. Definite Mizunara influence.
Reviewed by Pedro Shanahan
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Penderyn Madeira
Distiller Score 85
The texture of the whisky is quite velvety and elegant. Juicy black fruits and vanilla make the line up as do honey and baking spices. Perhaps due to the slightly higher proof, the finish is snappy, but up to par.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Brenne French Single Malt Whisky
Distiller Score 85
It is a fairly safe bet to say you haven't tasted a whisky quite like this before. Violet candies, and coconut greet you on the nose with almond pastries, vanilla cream, and apricots to follow on your palate. The spice factor is minimal and the finish is not as rich as you might imagine. At the end of the day, the issue may be, is there enough whisky character left? The answer is just barely. This is certainly not your father's idea of whisky.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Crown Royal 75th Anniversary Blend
Distiller Score 90
The usual suspects appear on the nose with a vanilla and char smoke, but the whisky really shines on the palate. The dried fruit and barrel spices integrate well with the whisky brand's signature smooth finish. The rye in the whisky seems to provide depth and enhance the fruit. If you haven’t had Crown Royal in a while, seek this one out; it may surprise you.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Michel Couvreur Overaged Malt 12 Year
Distiller Score 87
Rich, malty notes are the first impression on the nose followed by a toasted nutty aroma. The palate is less fresh and juicy but rather focuses more on dark, dried fruits. There's a moderate amount of oil along with a fairly rich body. Though it is a bit of a one-hit-wonder on the flavor profile, there's enough of a tang there to keep you interested. Warming spiced notes hit you on the finish.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Hibiki 12 Year
Distiller Score 89
Naturally, as part of the whisky is aged in seasoned plum wine casks, the whisky is laced with bright fruit. Additionaly, floral aromas are detected along with pastry dough and vanilla. This is a thoughtfully integrated whisky and though we typically wouldn't dream of telling you how to enjoy your whisky, with this one, please do yourself a favor and drink it neat or with a modicum of water.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Johnett Swiss Single Malt Whisky
Distiller Score 83
If ever you have tried their fruit liqueurs before, you cannot help but think of Mirabelle and pear eaux-de-vie when you smell this whisky. On the palate, the fruitiness is still the main impression, along with soft barley flavors. The use of small column-still is key in the style which is very smooth, creamy, and sweet, though there is a dry, woody touch on the finish. This would be perfect after dinner with your dessert or for breakfast with pancakes.
Reviewed by Julien Le Doaré
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Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky
Distiller Score 89
The nose has darker aromas like pecan shells and a touch of char smoke. The palate is full of American whiskey flavors like vanilla, coconut, and maple, but the malt gives the whisky a balance that allows the whisky to not be oily and overly sweet. What also ties the room together is the spicy quality from the barrels that break up all of the sweet notes.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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J.P. Wiser's Legacy Canadian Whisky
Distiller Score 94
J.P. Wiser would be rolling in his grave. Not because this whisky insults the name, quite the opposite in fact – he’d be rolling to bust out and try it. The whisky’s nose pulses from one note to the next where a potpourri wafts in and out like a star-studded movie full of cameos. The cast includes maple, baking spices, vanilla, rye bread, charismatic oak and the full spectrum of orchard fruits. Missing is George Clooney. All of the same notes land in the palate mingled with a sweet and peppery citric zest. Toasted oak comes through and fades into tobacco as Legacy starts rolling its long list of delicious finishing credits.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Zuidam Millstone 100 Rye Whisky
Distiller Score 87
As you take your first sniff of this dark amber rye you immediately think of dry fruits of all sorts, with maybe an emphasis on dried apricot. In the mouth, the whisky is big and rich, with plenty of spices including cloves, tonka beans, cinnamon and a dash of vanilla bean. It feels full and bready, but still has enough of the fruits to make this spirit enjoyable and easy to drink.
Reviewed by Julien Le Doaré
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Mackmyra First Edition
Distiller Score 89
There is a fruity aroma of pears and oranges with a touch of grass. The malty quality shows up on the palate along with honey salted nuts. The finish is fairly long and has a bit of a bite.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno