This latest unpeated vintage has aromas of maple syrup, peanut brittle, sesame snaps, aged balsamic, stretchy cherry taffy, toasted coconut, and snuff tobacco. It’s 6 years old, comprising a primary maturation in refill red wine barrels and a 2-year finish in cream sherry casks, producing a syrupy-textured dram with baked desserts of plum and orange, brown sugar, ginger pudding, vanilla, chocolate-covered nuts, and a burnt sugar finish. (2,400 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

Coca-Cola, rich spice, dark chocolate, roasted walnuts, licorice root, maple syrup, Luxardo cherries, and varnish on the nose. Without water, the palate is chewy and full of puckering tannins; add a few drops to unleash dark chocolate, candied ginger, cooked berries, tea leaf, walnuts in maple syrup, black pepper, and a hint of orange oil. The lengthy finish offers chocolate-covered cherries, black tea leaves, and white pepper. Layered and engaging. Editors' Choice

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

Fragrant and inviting on the nose, with a juxtaposition of floral and fruit notes—rose petals, fresh cherries—then saddle leather, spice, mint oil, tea leaves, and almonds. Those aromas are echoed on the palate’s robust Gobstopper of flavors: dark chocolate-covered cherries, cinnamon, maple syrup, Italian plums, walnuts, and undertones of mint. More dark chocolate, mint, and almonds on the finish, which has remarkable length. Water is transformative, bringing out more fruit, but with or without it, this is an outstanding whiskey.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

Cranberry, red apple, candied peel, glacé cherry, red licorice, and black pepper, with heather honey, florals, and festive spices on the nose. A fruity concoction of cherry lip balm, cranberry sauce, caramel, peppercorn, and a hint of apple, the fruit sails through as the spice and sugar fade. Water softens the impact, but widens the flavor spectrum to embrace plum, orange, walnut, and cranberry. Price per 500 ml. (912 bottles) €490

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

Deep, complex, and ever-developing flavor that doesn’t quit. The nose shows cherry Robitussin, leather sofa, old books, polished oak, and a refined sweet nuttiness, like Jordan almonds. Chewy and oak-driven on the palate, with cherry cough syrup, roasted pecans, dried ginger, white and black pepper, and ample oak; flavors of burnt ends and burnt marshmallow hint at the peat—which comes from the use of peated malt whiskey backset—but could just as easily be mistaken for barrel char. The peppery, ashy, chocolaty finish keeps going and going. (2,250 bottles)

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

Larceny’s barrel proof expression, released in three batches annually (January, May, and September) is a treat worth waiting for. A fragrant herbal nose offers notes of fennel, dark chocolate, peppermint, and light coconut. The palate is notably smooth, with flavors of chocolate, cooked dark fruit, black pepper, and generous spice, all underpinned by balanced oak. Water smooths it out even more, bringing out candied orange, pepper spice, and bitter chocolate.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2020)

Honey, vanilla, poached pears in cream, driftwood bonfires, and a sprinkle of wood spices comprise a clean, focused, and well-balanced nose. A golden and silky palate of sweet honey, vanilla, white chocolate, and lemon zest, with plenty of body. Enter caramel; the smoke cuts to the front, outstripping aromatic spices, orchard fruit, and baked citrus flavors. Compelling and moreish: drink whenever it’s raining in Glasgow and you can’t go wrong.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

Blended in Co. Clare, this concoction of rare Irish whiskeys from 1991 is an utter delight. Honeydew, orange frangipane, rose Turkish delight, vanilla icing, and beguiling floral perfumes. Golden syrup, orange oils, vanilla, and caramel, sprinkled with lemon and lime zest; this has a slightly waxy mouthfeel that melts to become creamy and silken, with heavenly spun sugar and candied orange slice flavors. (60 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

On the nose, figs, nuts, and integrated spice mingle with caramel-swirl brownie and tobacco barn; candy apple and grape Kool-Aid emerge with water. The palate has nutty, sweet, savory, and spicy flavors in abundance: dark chocolate-covered mint, Cherry Coke, cinnamon, pepper, allspice, roasted pecans, maple syrup, and polished oak. It’s consistent into the finish, which has cinnamon, black pepper, mint, dark chocolate, and lengthy varnish. Seamless to the last and, for a whiskey this mature, no water is necessary. (2,500 bottles)

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

An exceptional blend from first-fill American oak casks, which has Glenburgie whisky at its heart. Dry oak, Rolos, cantaloupe, dried mango strips, papaya, and cinnamon on the nose. Rewarding and weighty, with caramel, orange, raspberry, layers of spice, and dark toffee, with a concentrated fruitiness and a smear of spices leading to a warm, dark, lengthy finish. (Travel Retail exclusive)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

Thanks to its finishing casks, there are dried and syrupy fruits on the nose—cherry cordial candies, raisins, figs—along with sugared pecans, maple syrup, candied ginger, and leather. That finishing asserts itself even more strongly on the palate, which is fruity and sweet, becoming better integrated with water: cherries, blackberry and raspberry jams, figs, raisins, pecans, milk chocolate, ginger, white pepper, and coffee bean. Incredible length on the finish, with more dried fruit, leather, hazelnuts, ginger, and white pepper. (1,974 bottles)

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

The smoke on the nose is comfortingly thick and peaty, layered over cooked peaches in syrup, mango, and hints of ripening strawberry, becoming almost gum-like, with a back wall of oak and mild dry spices. On the palate, intense fruitiness assails the senses, with bitter plain chocolate, spices, and smoke. Be kind and add a generous dash of water, or prepare your taste buds for a pummeling from the cask-strength alcohol. (900 bottles, 150 for U.S.)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

Grain takes pride of place here, with kettle corn, honey peanuts, and corn muffin on the nose, as well as milk chocolate, licorice root, blueberry jam, cinnamon, allspice, and brown sugar. More sweet grain and nuts on the palate, along with blueberry, fresh ginger, cinnamon, and a hint of mint. Add some water to lift the veil on the more subtle flavors. The rounded finish continues with nutty sweetness, milk chocolate, and well-integrated oak. Excellent balance.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

This is a colossal rye, the result of 2 years in first-fill and refill red wine barrels, and 2 years in malaga casks. The nose suggests a thick, velvety dram of dark rye bread, cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary, prune juice, sultana, and pecan pie, with herbal undertones. On the palate there is dark smooth toffee, stewed plum, bramble, and spun sugar stalked by ginger, pepper, and cinnamon. Oh, the Manhattans you will make. (2,400 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

This new recipe Monster brings aromas of waxed lemon and firm peat smoke layered with charcoal, iodine, Band-Aids, custard creams, and blowtorched peaks of lemon meringue pie. Vanilla, fudge, and white chocolate on the palate quickly succumb to a dustbowl of aromatic peat smoke bristling with spices. Lemon bonbons and honeydew leave hints of cocoa to finish. This type of monster you do want to find under your bed.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

It’s all about the grain with this whiskey, made with two high-rye bourbons and a wheated bourbon. Honey Nut Cheerios, strawberry shortcake, lemon tart, almonds, pistachios, candied ginger, and a touch of coconut cream on the nose. The palate keeps the mashbill in play, with sweetness and warm pastry notes, but showcases the barrel’s best qualities: chocolate, cinnamon, and integrated spice. Consistent into the finish, which is peppery and warm with cinnamon-laced dark chocolate, nuts, and toasted cereals. (30,600 bottles)

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

Full-on Ardbeg on the nose! Hot tar, lemon juice, charcuterie, thick peat smoke, ginger, and a hint of Jaffa oranges. The palate is oily and well-integrated, with black pepper, coal tar soap, cloves, vanilla, and orchard fruits. Spicy in the lengthy finish, with more tar, peat, and salty oak.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)

This final reprise of one of Forty Creek’s original whiskies is one juicy, succulent dram. Fruity hints of red grapes on the nose mingle with sherry-sweetened pipe tobacco and herbal earthiness. Sizzling peppers bolster a palate rich in nutty waxy barley, soft oily corn, and dry dusty rye. Suggestions of halva and citrus zest lead into a long, briskly spicy herbal finish.

Reviewed by: Davin de Kergommeaux (Fall 2020)