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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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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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Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt
Distiller Score 85
A perfect introduction to Japanese whisky: a rather light body but still a whole bouquet of delicious flavours. This Nikka expression boasts an elegant fruitiness, some nutty/sherried notes and a soft smokiness in the background. Definitely one of the best "value for money" Japanese whiskies on the market today.
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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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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J.P. Wiser's Last Barrels
Distiller Score 95
Subtlety stacked on top of subtlety like the blender had blended his flavors in a Zen Garden. This whisky blooms with an umbrella of perfumed spices, pristine timber, big caramel, and a shade of exotic pizzazz. Symmetry builds in the mouth with all the flavors of a fresh fruit market, lush black-cherry ice cream, and lumber. Trademark rye spices lead into a fulfilling long finish.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Gooderham & Worts Three Grain Little Trinity 17 Year
Distiller Score 94
Master Blender Dr. Don Livermore must moonlight as a tightrope walker to fill this bottle with so much poise and balance. This dazzling sipper has a touch of malty rye bread, warm rye spices, vanilla, dried fruit and dusty oak that shift to the palate giving the flavors of all food groups. A honeyed nuttiness pins down the rye spices through the finish. A very complex blend that doesn’t require a safety net.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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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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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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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