Like previous releases, this was matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks. Jaffa oranges, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and dried fruits on the nose, plus warm leather. The palate is rich and spicy, with more orange, vanilla, and burning logs. Smoky sherry, ginger, dried fruits, and seasoned oak in the 
full finish.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2019)

Of all the Caskmates, this edition representing Brooklyn is more complex, and offers a greater balance between the fruit and pot still spices than all the rest. There are bright floral notes, citrus, dry spices, and roasted barley—everything in perfect harmony. Clementine, honey, nuts, tropical fruit, a few savory elements, with finely ground spices fizzling away under waves of citrus fruit, candied peel, and flakes of chocolate.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2019)

A brilliant collaboration with the Los Angeles craft brewery, the nose has red apple, dry grasses, orange pith, toasted bakery goods, and background spices. The beer influence is every bit as good as Caskmates IPA. The palate is classic Jameson: honeyed, soft, light fruit, vanilla, and peppercorn, developing a wonderful creaminess, dark orange, further spices, and lastly, chocolate notes. Glowing and kind of dreamy.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2019)

This was previously exclusive to Travel Retail, but is now available in the U.S. Cereal and succulent tropical fruits on the nose, plus Craigellachie’s signature sulfur, along with cloves and polished oak. Toffee and orchard fruits on the muscular palate, with oatmeal and a mineral quality. The finish is long and yields another whiff of sulfur, lemon, and a hint of mint. A quirky dram of true quality. (1,700 bottles)

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2019)

Scents of zested lemon, caramel, peanut brittle, and crystalized pineapple, with excelling smoke. What begins as a medley of toffee and caramel mingling with mandarin and lime soon shows plenty of bite: an eruption of peppercorn spices falls back to earth with flavors of hazelnut, ripe banana, and chocolate chip cookies. The finish dispenses dark toffees, Brazil nut, plain chocolate, and a little spice.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2019)

Cinnamon-baked apples on the nose, with ripe banana, peach, chocolate, almond, toasted coconut, and sassafras. The palate is velvety and gentle, with burnt orange, strawberry, milk chocolate, almond, white pepper, and tobacco leaf. The finish is creamy, with milk chocolate, drizzled caramel, sweet corn, brown sugar, and leather, wrapped in toasted oak. Depth, balance, and plenty of pizzazz.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Summer 2019)

Before a regulation required British Columbia distillers to source their ingredients within the province, Shelter Point bought some 100% rye spirit from Alberta Distillers. Nine years later, it has developed flavors of halvah and honey, which caress blue clay, turning it sweet, floral, and fruity, then hot and spicy, with cloves, rose water, and more rye spices. Clean and crisp with deep complexity, it sizzles on the tongue, ending in hints of grain. (Canada only-CAD$125)

Reviewed by: Davin de Kergommeaux (Summer 2019)

After several years off the market, this welcome return from Mackmyra was composed from a mixture of cask types, including Swedish oak, and matured underground in the Bodås mine. Floral notes, honey, citrus, vanilla, and pears poached in cream, with balancing tartness from gooseberry and grapefruit. A delicious summer whisky with sweet lemon biscuits, clementine, apricot, vanilla fudge, and active spices which mellow to expose banana, honeydew melon, and a finish of bitter lemon and mixed peel. (4,800 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2019)

Nashville restaurant Peg Leg Porker’s pitmaster Carey Bringle filters this whiskey through hickory charcoal. Malted milk balls, peanuts in the shell, toasted grain, Swiss Miss hot cocoa mix, licorice, root beer, and tea leaves to start, with lots of oak, dark chocolate, blackberry, white pepper, cinnamon, cherry cough syrup, and more root beer on the sweet, spiced palate. The finish is delicate and fruited with sweet cherries and blackberries, as well as a sprinkling of cloves and subtle oak.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Summer 2019)

Harmonious and symphonious throughout, starting with the nose of cooked cherries, sarsaparilla, spearmint, clove, cinnamon, dill, maple syrup, tobacco leaf, and loads of oak. The chewy, broad palate yields bowls full of cherries and blueberry jam, along with roasted peanuts, dark chocolate, white pepper, spearmint oil, cinnamon, and dried chili. There’s more chili, bittersweet chocolate, dried blueberries, and lengthy oak to finish.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Summer 2019)

Lemon and lime, grapefruit peel, fondant, and pine needles, with the softness of marshmallows and musty spices. Lemon peel, zested lime, pear, honey, and vanilla flavors, with gentle spice supporting the citrus and stubborn black pepper growing in confidence to play a greater role. Mouthfeel is silky and light, becoming creamy. The finish buzzes with spices and hints of baked citrus. €60

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2019)

Finely ground spice, vanilla sponge cake, light honey, and brown sugar cubes, as well as the mizunara fingerprints of aromatic wood and incense. Pastry, egg custard, and allspice flavors; there’s just enough body apparent as the spices settle down, unleashing a substantial wave of vanilla creaminess. Leaves a long aftertaste, like a light-hearted pillow fight between the vanilla cream and the fading spices.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2019)

Rather luxurious aromas of orange peel, walnut, stewed fruits, fleshy plum, peach pit, sherry fruit, gentle oak, and wood spices. Spiced marmalade, dark Seville orange, plum, vanilla, and plump raisin; this lays down a rich blanket of flavor, though it’s slit open by a piercing blade of spice. I like the subtlety of the sherry influence and the mouth-coating finish of orange peel, ginger, and spice.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2019)

A combination of 6, 8, 10, and 12 year old bourbons distilled at Wild Turkey. It has that glorious peanut-rich Turkey nose, along with orange soda, Golden Delicious apples, cooked blackberries and blueberries, pomegranate syrup, white pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and iced tea. Beautifully balanced on the palate, with plenty of spice, roasted peanuts, cherry cough syrup, blackberry jam, cola, dill, and dark chocolate. It ends lusciously, with warming spices, chocolate, and oak.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Summer 2019)

Rich dried fruits, candied peel, dried apricot, mango strips, white pepper, herbal notes, almond paste, and sweet grapefruit flesh—this has signature notes of Powers all over it. Thick and velvety, there’s warm marmalade, sugared almonds, golden barley, citrus, and green apple. It’s all quite mellow until the spices work themselves up into a bit of a frenzy. Long fruity finish, with toasted coconut and a luscious, billowing spiciness.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2019)

The nose feels dense and richly layered as cedary oak and sandalwood incense take the lead, while a deeper dive reveals toasted walnuts, licorice, and cocoa. The palate serves up plenty of sweet butterscotch, juicy grapefruit, and shaved coconut, before drying oak tannins sweep in, delivering coffee and dark chocolate cake on the finish. A supple mouthfeel and long finish enhance the overall delicious impression made by this bourbon. Shows best at full proof. Best Value

Reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth (Summer 2019)

Six different cask finishes were used for this bottling. Fudge, resin, tropical fruit, Seville oranges, and milk chocolate on the nose. Supple and smooth on the palate; complex, with red berries, orange rind, cream, cinnamon, and ginger. Long in the finish, with nougat, pepper, and dark berry fruits.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2019)

Arran’s latest addition to its core range is matured in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks. Mellow on the nose, with baked apple and toffee, then developing tropical fruits and icing sugar aromas in time. Sweet and balanced on the palate; spicy, with milk chocolate and peaches in syrup. Lengthy in the finish, with tangy fruit notes, restrained oak, and gentle spices. (9,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2019)