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Kornog Peated Single Malt Whisky
Distiller Score 83
A creamy and smoky nose reveals notes of toffee, chocolate-covered toasted marshmallows and buttered vanilla while the palate offers richer flavours with hot spices and a more present smokiness. The finish is fruity, smoky and peppery. A French whisky with attitude!
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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Paul John Peated Select Cask Single Malt
Distiller Score 88
Islay-style peat but not Islay-style flavor dominates the nose and palate leaving little room for the distillery house-style to shine through. Although this whisky is somewhat one dimensional, it is so laced with the medicinal qualities favored by peat freaks that it brings a new dimension to the term “peat monster”. Hints of black licorice add interest, if not complexity.
Reviewed by Davin de Kergommeaux
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Penderyn Peated
Distiller Score 88
Round, juicy plum and apple notes muscle through the ash and wispy smoke, which are relegated to the background on the nose. There’s a lot of brawn behind the fruity brightness. A kinda surprising cinnamon spiciness pushes the fruit to the side on the palate. The water amplifies the spice and washes away the fruit, leaving a musty storage-room floor in its wake--in the best possible way. The cinnamon—with all the intensity of a fireball candy –lingers with a slow burn on the finish. A bold and dynamic dram, one that will definitely have people talking about the UK’s least talked about country.
Reviewed by Liza Weisstuch
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Hellyers Road Peated Single Malt
Distiller Score 83
The signature presence of Islay peat is hard to ignore, heavy on the nose at the forefront there. It gives way, however, to smoke mixed with green apples, vanilla, and honey in the middle, breaking through to salt and cinnamon in the rear. The taste is still initially that of the fabled Isle with a heavy peat reminiscent of Laphroaig, slowly moving down to smoke, salt and spice. A brilliant tribute to Islay whiskies.
Reviewed by Marcus Parmenter
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Hellyers Road Slightly Peated Single Malt
Distiller Score 92
Floral smoke begins this dram with mingling, delicate peat residing in the back, letting the delicate nuts and vanilla come through with honey sultanas and a leather twist, the whole adventure being rich and fulfilling. On the tongue the peat is doughy, and moves towards toasted malts before arriving at small orchid fruit, fragrant roses, and a cinnamon dusting. The finish is long and fulfilling, pleasantly glazed with hay, leather smoke and salty peat.
Reviewed by Marcus Parmenter
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Nikka Whisky From the Barrel
Distiller Score 92
The nose is very complex and tends to drift. Cedar cigar-box and exotic woods are ribboned with smoke and peat accents. A sherry influence is layered into the blend and if you wait long enough, soy sauce, celery and other umami components are part of the drift. This whisky dances across all taste buds with cloves, cinnamon and orange zest seasoned by salt spray. A walnut like bitterness accompanies the extended finish. A very rich blend.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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PUNI Alba
Distiller Score 80
The nose is quite surprising, with soft peat, malty notes and a winey profile coming from its maturation, showing aromas of summer berries. Although you can say it is a young whisky, this expression is more easy-drinking than the other 3-year-old release from PUNI (Nova). Slightly smoky, mineral & earthy with licorice, pepper and roasted walnuts and dark berries.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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High West Campfire
Distiller Score 90
A complex nose lets you hone in on what you're enjoying most, whether it's cinnamon buns and vanilla to, well, campfire-like smoke, with ashy cigars and charred meat. The palate is earthy and phenolic, dominated by peat and smoke, while also showcasing dark chocolate, orange peels, cardamom, and pumpernickel pretzels. A lengthy finish showcases both plums and prunes, black pepper, caramel, and rye spice.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Mackmyra Svensk Rök
Distiller Score 85
The whisky has a delicious citrusy nose with smoky hints as well as vanilla and toffee. The palate continues to feature those earthy notes but adds a very spicy note, all wrapped into a sweet vanilla cloud. The finish is smoky and woody. Overall, this Mackmyra expression a definite must-try for any Islay whisky enthusiast willing to try something new!
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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J.P. Wiser's Union 52
Distiller Score 96
This whisky deserves applause breaks between sips. The usual suspects of caramel and vanilla drift from the nose, but they’re chaperoned by spearmint, rye bread, pipe tobacco, cherry, earthy oak and roasted nuts. All of these ravishing flavors carry on to the palate capped off by flourishing smoke. Then the shape shifting begins from smoky to sweet accented by a dry spiciness. This large and lovely whisky comes in a chunky bottle that can take a high five. Something you’ll feel inclined to do.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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English Whisky Co. 5 Year (That Boutique-y Whisky Co.)
Distiller Score 82
A delightful smoky nose with gourmet notes of pastries, butter cookies and some pleasant underlying fruity hints. The palate offers a full bouquet of orchard fruits & sweet spices while the finish brings back the smoky side of this expression. Despite the obvious youthfulness of this whisky, St George's Distillery once again proves that it deserves its place on the whisky map.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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High West Campfire (Discontinued)
Distiller Score 81
On the nose fine dried peaches, apricots, Heath bar, and peat. The palate shows vanilla, more peat, cinnamon, nutmeg, and leather. The dry finish has smoked fruits shine through. Interesting, but definitely an acquired taste. This is perfect for someone who is over all the old standbys on the shelf and want a new added layer to the regular, vanilla, fruit and oak tasting notes.
Reviewed by Rob Morton