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90 points

Jameson Cold Brew, 30%

A limited-edition cold-brew coffee infusion of roasted Arabica beans, this might be the most moreish drink I’ve had all year. Dark ruby in color with a nutty, velvety coffee bean aroma and dark fruits. While Jameson fruitiness is evident, floral notes are harder to detect. Smooth and creamy across the tongue, with blocks of cacao, praline, and dark toffee, it still finds a classic pot still spiciness to finish.

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

90 points

Glen Garioch Virgin Oak, 48%

Glen Garioch spirit is sufficiently robust to cope well with virgin oak, and the nose of this expression yields the bold aromas you would expect from heavily-charred virgin oak maturation: spicy milk chocolate, buttery malt, and ripe peaches. Cocoa, malt, and cloves on the palate, plus lots of wood spice. The finish yields vanilla, ginger, and the inevitable oak.

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

90 points

Distillery 291 E Cherry and Peach Wine-Barrel Finished Bourbon (Batch 6), 61.3%

The nose is earthy, chalky, and herbal, with notes of caramel and baking spice. The palate shows its proof well, with lots of balanced oak and bitter herbs, plus cherry and orange. The finish has flavors of bitter chocolate, coffee ice cream, burnt almond, dried orange slices, and a deft influence of toasted oak. This is a big, robust whiskey, with impressive complexity and plenty to like. (303 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

90 points

Amrut 7 year old Single Grain Single Cask (No. 1431), 57.1%

Clean and sweet on the nose, with confectionary aromas of vanilla, coconut, lemon curd, shortbread, and almond halva; there’s also concentrated orchard fruit, milk chocolate, and jasmine. It’s dry and chewy on the palate, with plenty to enjoy—spiced plums, raspberries, incense, milk chocolate—though the complexity flattens out into the finish, which is sweet with vanilla custard, milk chocolate, fresh raspberries, and lingering floral notes. (108 bottles; U.S. exclusive)

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

90 points

anCnoc Vintage 2001, 46%

Matured in a mix of sherry casks and bourbon barrels for over 15 years, the nose is floral and fruity, with honeysuckle, nectarines, malt, and soft spices. Very smooth and creamy on the palate, with apple pie, butterscotch, honey, and tangerines, combining with dried fruits. Citrus fruit and spicy milk chocolate in the medium-length finish.

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

90 points

Benromach 15 year old, 43%

This spent 9 years in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, then 6 years in first-fill European oak oloroso casks. Sherry is to the fore on the nose, with apple pie, honey, vanilla, black pepper, and ultimately pipe tobacco. A viscous and rich palate, with more apple pie and vanilla, while the sherry is drier, with new leather and woodsmoke. Salted caramel and spicy oak on the finish.

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Blinking Owl Single Barrel Straight Rye (Batch 2), 45%

Is there such a thing as “beach rye?” Wafting breezes carry coconut, almond orgeat, and tropical fruit aromas, along with dried orange rind, chamomile tea, clove, mint, and earthy pecans. The easy-drinking palate has less fruit and more herbs, with licorice, spearmint, and allspice, underpinned by nuts and dry oak. Rounded out with orange blossom water, chai, dark berries, and more spearmint, allspice, and oak on the finish. This should come with a hammock.

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Glen Scotia 15 year old, 46%

After initial maturation in bourbon casks, this expression underwent a 2-month finish in first-fill oloroso sherry casks. Initially it offers char, then ginger, honey, and sweet smoke on the nose, with apricot tarts and toffee. The palate is quite earthy and peppery, with stone fruit, cinnamon, sea salt, and light smokiness. Medium length in the finish, with citrus fruit and salty oak.

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Cask & Crew Double Oaked Straight Rye, 48%

From Rochester, New York-based Cask & Crew, this was distilled in Canada, matured 4 years in new charred oak, then finished in another new charred oak barrel. Spice, pistachio, and a note of barrel char on the nose, and a nutty, creamy palate with notes of blueberry pie, chocolate, cooked plums, and light spice. The finish offers more spice, coffee cake, and almond nuttiness. The profile is young, but full of good flavors.

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Broken Barrel Isle of Peat American Blended Whiskey, 55%

A blend of American single malt and wheat whiskeys, finished on staves from peated Islay scotch casks using Broken Barrel’s proprietary process. The effect is herbaceous rather than smoky; this has tons of eucalyptus, bay leaves, black pepper, and juniper—more like an amaro in aroma than a whiskey. Dry and lean in the mouth, there’s mint, black pepper, eucalyptus, cola spices, dark chocolate, licorice, and honeyed lemon tea. The finish is medium-length with oak, mint, pepper, and persistent herbs. Profoundly outside the box, but it works. (6,600 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Dry Fly Cask and Release Series Beer Barrel-Finished Wheat Whiskey, 45%

It opens with floral and fruit aromas: strawberries, peach blossoms, dried apple rings, mulberries, plums. There’s also amaretto, dried ginger, licorice, and cacao nibs. Rich and a little hot on the palate, it’s chewy with dry-roasted almonds, cracked walnuts, coffee bean, chai spice, and grilled plums. Mouthwatering on the finish, drawing out chile heat, black pepper spice, chocolate-covered coffee bean, and dry oak. (450 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Saint Lawrence Spirits Kentucky Son Straight Bourbon, 45%

Rich aromas of marzipan, black tea, blackberry, cherry, chocolate, brown sugar, and tobacco leaves. The palate is chewy, with oak char, black tea, roasted nuts, semi-sweet chocolate, root beer spices, ginger, red apple, and mint; water brings out cinnamon and pecans. It shows vivaciousness into the finish, with more oak char, mint, black pepper, and chocolate-covered almonds. (2,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Saint Lawrence Spirits Rye Knot, 45%

The nose is layered with mature baking spices, cacao nibs, tobacco barn, Cherry Coke syrup, praline, pistachio, and dusty oak. Spiced and herbal on the palate, with bracing oak, coffee with almond cream, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, cinnamon, licorice, and peppermint, all pillowed by a creamy texture. It finishes with minty dark chocolate, espresso, leather, and integrated oak. No need for an after-dinner coffee; this’ll do. (2,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Midleton Dair Ghaelach Knockrath Forest (Tree 2), 56.3%

This has more vanilla and caramel, with less aggressive wood spices than Tree 1, and aromas of clove, sharpened pencils, and dried morel mushrooms. It’s fruity and mouth-drawing, yet less weighty than Tree 1, reminiscent of fruit Life Savers and baked apple, and when it peaks it breaks with more alcohol than spice.

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Paul John Nirvana, 40%

What I love about this is that it’s fresh and fruity with plenty of zip. The nose has hard candy, fresh laundry, floral notes, apple, and peach puree. A fruit medley with nectarine, pear, and satsuma, followed by vanilla, lime, almond, and five spice, becoming more rounded, with apple and fudge and a spiced citrus finish. Best Value

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Redemption High Rye Straight Bourbon (Batch 122), 46%

The nose offers caramel custard, chocolate, and maple syrup. An oak-driven palate has lots of heat and integrated spice, but is also loaded with chocolate, coffee beans, almonds, and maple syrup. The finish is the best part, with rich notes of chocolate, coffee, and spice, but plenty of finesse. Water brings out more chocolate on a slightly tart but rich finish. Lots of assertive flavors, but with a gentle, smooth texture.

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Belfour Spirits Limited Edition Straight Rye, 50%

A nose of lemon drops, tea leaves, light barrel char, and herb-garden notes. The palate is honeyed, with lemon, licorice, herbs, and earthiness, balancing against vanilla cream and spice, all integrating well with the barrel. A lengthy finish is well-textured and spiced, highlighted by notes of tobacco, herbs, and chocolate. Creamy, spicy, and a bit unusual, this whiskey offers spiced complexity and impressive flavor balance on the palate.

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)

89 points

Drayman’s Highveld 5 year old French Oak Reserve Single Malt, 43%

This is a highly fragrant young whisky with aromas of peeled satsumas, zested lime, rosebuds, graham cracker, sponge cake, and a trace of aromatic spice. Light to medium-bodied with sweet orange honey, marmalade, walnut, and malt, then a slow crescendo of cocoa, spice, and cereal notes to a finish of grated chocolate. (1,200 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Summer 2020)