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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 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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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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Hakushu Distiller's Reserve
Distiller Score 89
You're lying on the grass--spearmint growing on one side, pine on the other, and campfire smoke travels in the breeze. The palate introduces green apples and pears, more mint, and some yuzu citrus delivering an extra burst of freshness. There's the subtlest touch of creamy vanilla. Light smoke and oak define the delicate finish.
Reviewed by George Koutsakis
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Säntis Malt Appenzeller Single Malt Edition Dreifaltigkeit
Distiller Score 94
The aroma of smoked bacon is the first thing that comes to mind nosing this single malt, and the Dreifaltigkeit is indeed a meaty whisky. It's pungent and burly, with a roasty smokiness that's distinctively different from the briny peat of Islay. Though rich in color, the barrel ageing provides more char and mellowing sweetness than any over the top vanilla notes. It's a unique dram, and one that Smokeheads will take great pleasure in sipping by the fire.
Reviewed by Jacob Grier
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Gibson's Finest Rare 18 Year
Distiller Score 90
This is a loaded whisky that teeter-totters with fruity rye, a spicy oak-forward bouquet and sweet vanilla caramels on the nose. The palate is the reverse. It starts with the sweeter vanilla then the spicy oak soars with an undertone of fresh wood and sawdust. The whisky lands with a citrus pith parachute onto the same wood platform that has supported it through the entire ride. A Canadian classic.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Forty Creek John's Private Cask No. 1
Distiller Score 95
The nose is bursting with fragrant woods, citrus, brown sugar, vanilla, and figs. Avoid the temptation to splash a couple of drops behind the ears. In the mouth, hot ginger and solar spice flares start immediately, strong enough to disrupt cell phone reception. They don’t end, rather they build with each sip. The finish is long and loud where the spices smash guitars then kick over the drum kit. Don't spend too long reflecting on the fact that you may have cracked the seal on a collector’s item. Regret nothing.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Lohin McKinnon Canada Anniversary Limited Edition
Distiller Score 89
Fat raisins drenched in a smoky comforting blanket accented with a subtle trace of doused fireworks. Fresh cereals weave with the gentle peat from the nose. Smoke and honey are playful on the palate but it’s the rye-laced brightness with clove and cinnamon spice that makes this blend a showpiece. Threads of smoky oak and honey candy melt into the finish. A bang on representation of two whisky styles coming together as one.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips