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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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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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Bardstown Bourbon Co. Origin Series Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Distiller Score 92
The nose is rich and enticing, with butterscotch, caramel, and peanut brittle. That nuttiness continues onto the palate, which also offers a surprising of red fruits, including apples, orchard fruits, plums, and grapes. The finish is lengthy, and showcases chocolate syrup, Tootsie Rolls, tannic oak, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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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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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
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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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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 Rye Cognac Cask Finish
Distiller Score 93
The cognac is prominent on the nose with violets and dandelions atop oak, molasses, licorice, and mint. Those influences switch on a rich palate that's whiskey-forward upfront, offering rye spice, salted caramel, and brown sugar leading into grapes and blackcurrants. A lengthy, pleasing finish offers dark chocolate and vanilla, followed by a touch of heat wiped away with luscious raspberry syrup, leaving a close of tingling tannins and barrel char.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2023 BEP
Distiller Score 92
The nose is sweet, enticing and vanillin-laden, loaded with salted caramel and chocolate pudding. The palate is rich, almost sticky with toffee, gooey pecan pie, and brown sugar, and is backed up by oak, sour cherries, and wood spice. This finish is moderate and warming, and continues veering into a drier direction, with spearmint, cedar, cloves, and cassia bark.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Parker's Heritage Cognac Barrel Finish 10 Year Bourbon
Distiller Score 96
There is a definite cognac influence on the nose which gives this whiskey a definite floral character. Aromas of oak, hazelnut and caramel are also present. On the palate, this is an unctuous, mouth-coating whiskey that brings more roasted nut flavors, vanilla, oak, baking spices and honeysuckle. There is a noticeable rancio note to this whiskey too, think toasted walnuts and aged Gouda. The finish brings more gentle spice and vanilla, before slipping off of the tongue. With a unique richness imbued by the cognac finish, this is a bourbon that is best slowly savored with good friends.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Koval Single Barrel Oat
Distiller Score 86
The aroma, particularly on further inhalations, is heavy on breakfast oatmeal loaded with fresh cream and sugar. Some vanilla and a hint of mint is present as well as savory spices (think curry). The body is soft, but not substantial. The whiskey is young, but not raw. There's enough of a complexity in the whiskey that merits a purchase beyond simple curiosity.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Town Branch Rye
Distiller Score 88
Considering this rye is the brain child of an Irish immigrant, the taste is very much like that of Irish soda bread - with malted grain flavors, honey, raisins, butter and a pleasant yeasty quality. Robust spice, both sweet and peppery, draw out the finish cleanly.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster