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Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve
Distiller Score 92
A splendid nose shows notes of Yamazaki's signature berries with subtle floral notes and tropical fruits. The berriy bouquet keeps all its promises on the palate with cherries, strawberries and raspberries leading the way to dried fruits, woody aromas and a slight spiciness. A delightful finish of vanilla, custard cream and Christmas spices.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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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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Stauning Young Rye (Bottled June 2014)
Distiller Score 90
Initially, the Young Rye has a sharp, grainy nose but given time it reveals a lovely caramel and bread pudding scent. This is a sweet and spicy whisky with fantastic cracked black pepper, candied apple, and raisin notes. Dark chocolate and yeast linger on the back end. Adding a touch of water brings yet another layer: spiced oatmeal. Proof that sometimes age is just a number!
Reviewed by Nicole Gilbert
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Kavalan Distillery Select No. 1
Distiller Score 89
Honey-covered apples kick off the nose, with dried apricots and a range of tropical fruits including papaya and mango, all backed up by butterscotch. Dried fruits and walnuts show on the palate, with clover honey, bitter Baker's chocolate, and creamy toffee. More dried fruits on a short finish with flamed orange peel, oak, and spice. Big and robust despite the, for Kavalan, modest price and proof, as well as its "for cocktails" designation.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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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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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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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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Adnams Single Malt No. 1
Distiller Score 87
A yummy bomb bringing back to life childhood memories of candy floss (cotton candy), Christmas fruit pudding and marshmallows. Yes, this nose feels just like a sunny afternoon on Coney Island. And the palate doesn't disappoint, with plenty of caramel and pastry aromas with more grown-up hints of hot spices and pepper. A killer!
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
Distiller Score 86
This whisky is fairly dry on the nose, with hints of leather and barn wood, as well as subtle almond notes. What makes this whisky so accessible are its pleasing flavors — chocolate and caramel burst on the tongue before fading into more tropical notes of mango, citrus and boysenberry — and satisfying finish. The whisky exits the tongue quickly after drying the palate with hints of cedar.
Reviewed by Derek Gamlin
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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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PUNI Vina Marsala Edition
Distiller Score 88
Perhaps the interaction with other malts besides barley makes this Marsala finish a bit more unusual than most. The quintessential nuttiness is there, but the saltiness is not. Instead it drinks more like a port finish, with flavors of sticky toffee pudding, prunes and tart berry and cherry jam. It has a rich, viscous feel, but more of that tartness keeps it from tasting treacly.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster