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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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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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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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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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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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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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The Nikka 12 Year
Distiller Score 90
A hit of rich butterscotch is followed by pepper, cinnamon and fruit--first red berries and then citrus as the nose opens up. The palate turns the spice sweet, joined by vanilla and caramel. A new serving of fruit brings green apples, plums, a hint of orange. The finish is long and satisfying, with the freshness cutting through the sweetness at the very end.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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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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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