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Ranger Creek .36 Texas Bourbon
Distiller Score 87
For such a young whiskey, the aromas are fairly complex. In addition to the traditional sweet barrel spices and vanilla, there are also notes of straw, leather, and lightly smoked pepper. The tasting profile is not plush and soft, but isn't too tannic and dry either. Coffee, leather, and dark caramel are found with the finish more on the bitter and warming side. Though you can taste a little immature corn in the mid-palate, I like where this whiskey is going and look forward to trying their straight bourbon.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Coy Hill High Proof (2021 Special Release)
Distiller Score 96
The whiskey has a maple syrup/medium coffee color appearance. Moving on the nose (be gentle as it is high proof), you'll get some dill and other fresh green herbs along with tons of oak. Then as you taste (which at this proof is surprisingly not too difficult to do), you'll find cherry notes come through as well as the flavor of s'mores -- particularly the charred marshmallows. Adding a bit of water you'll get some cornbread with maple syrup come through as well as the classic Jack banana bread note. As for the spice level, it is seen throughout the whiskey, but isn't rough around the edges. A hearty whiskey with enough going on in the glass to keep you entertained.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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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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Benjamin Prichard's Double Barrel Bourbon
Distiller Score 83
The aroma is full of wood spices, vanilla, and just a touch of maple syrup. The palate is clean and grain filled with not a lot of body to it. Refrain from adding any water or ice to this whiskey as it will leave you with nothing but smoke and wood spices.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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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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FEW Single Malt Whisky
Distiller Score 87
The aroma is robust and on the nutty side of the tasting wheel, almost waxy. There is a sweet smoke, but it is very mild. If you take a big whiff, you can pick up sawdust. The malt has a nice weight to it and is more spice driven than fruity. The finish has a lot of oak influence, and though it does taste young, overall the whisky is a pleasant experience.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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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Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2013
Distiller Score 87
The aroma screams of astringents and wood. It's a lot like walking into your dad's wood workshop as a kid. Once it opens a little you start to get notes of cherry, chocolate and banana. The palate is quite a bit smoother than the nose with layers of molasses, vanilla and dark roast coffee. The finish continues with coffee, vanilla and butterscotch candies.
Reviewed by Rob Morton
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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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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