Sweet toasted grain, almonds, frozen banana on a Popsicle stick, vanilla, and green tea on the nose. Without water, the palate is overwhelmed by its proof; add a generous amount and you’ll find vanilla, almonds, toasted grain, sweet oak, green banana, and the freshness of mint leaves. The finish is sweet and velvety, with more almonds, toasted grain, and oak. Atypical profile for Booker’s, but plenty to like.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

A rich, full nose interweaves red wine, canned pears, smidgens of barrel wood, and dark maple syrup into a plush Christmas cake palate. Weighty and mouth-filling amid unsweetened breakfast cereal and mild tannins, balanced by candied fruit, prunes, crisp apples, and dried pears and apricots. Glowing peppery heat moves to the middle of the tongue before a long, spicy, and pithy yet creamy finish.

Reviewed by: Davin de Kergommeaux (Fall 2020)

Using kosher-certified oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, this Tel Avivian whisky evokes dried strawberry, plum pudding, and black cherry aromas, with strong peppercorn notes and a dusting of cocoa powder. With early red fruits and black cherry, this glides through milky coffee and chocolate pudding, buffeted by growing spices and a rasp of oak char, before a pleasant finish of baking chocolate and bourbon biscuits.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

Distilled in 2014, this is the first rye from Rhode Island’s Newport Craft Brewing and Distilling. Lemon and potpourri start things off on the nose, followed by appealing notes of dried seaweed, seashells, licorice, peat, and wood char. The palate is rich and full-bodied; along with the finish, it offers lemon pie, espresso, herbs, more peat, and barrel char. Bold, spicy, and earthy, but also refined and balanced at the same time. (1,110 bottles)

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2020)

A kind of luscious sweetness appears up front, as pecan pie, glazed banana chips, dried pineapple, dates, and green apple candies meet gentle spice. The maturity is really lovely, with sweet waxy notes of honeycomb, and a palate that smacks of chewy nougat, milk chocolate, and toasted nuts, ending with cinnamon and peppercorn spice; the oak is perfectly restrained. (4,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth (Fall 2020)

A 2015 addition to the Tomintoul range of single malts carrying age statements, this expression was matured in bourbon casks like the rest of the lineup, but has a slighter higher ABV than most. Toffee, peaches, and newly polished furniture on the nose. Pleasing rounded mouthfeel, with Jaffa orange, honey, malt, black pepper, and developing tannins. The finish yields more malt, lively spices, green apples, black tea, and nutty oak.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)

The nose is lightly tropical, with notes of oak, pine, herbs, and orange peel. A buttery mouthfeel, and a palate that offers almond, butterscotch, chocolate fudge, caramel, and oak tannins, along with spice and black pepper. The finish has notes of salted peanuts as well as peanut butter, which sweeten to flavors of rich chocolate with a hint of marshmallow. Full-bodied, sometimes jagged, but with a spicy, nutty finish

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2020)

The label of this distinctive blend of Highland and Speyside whiskies suggests it is designed for hotter and drier climates, and it works well in a variety of serves. Peach slices, pecan, peanut, cinnamon, nutmeg, grated milk chocolate, baked cookies, and toasted bakery aromas. It’s medium-bodied and eschews sweetness and fruitiness to inhabit a world of dark toffee, Brazil nut, dry oak, malt, plain chocolate, hot peppery spice, and licorice. (3,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

From the first sniff, this whiskey defines itself as intense and full-flavored: candied kiwi, papaya, mango, pineapple, and jackfruit crowd out almost all other aromas, though if it sits for a while, brown sugar and pecans emerge. The palate is consistent, with plenty of tropical fruit but also cocoa powder, oak, and dry nuttiness. More pineapple, kiwi, and jackfruit on the finish, but they fade fairly quickly to allow vanilla bean and dry oak to shine.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

If you’re searching for the perfect whiskey to pair with ribs, look no further. Chili powder spices of paprika, cumin, black pepper, and dried chiles leap out of the glass, along with tea leaf, dark berries, dark chocolate, and candied orange peel. The palate, chewy and textured, stays consistent with savory and spicy notes of Spanish chorizo, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, red pepper flakes, blackberry, raspberry, and orange peel. It finishes short but satisfying, with more chili powder, black pepper, and smoked almonds.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

While the nose showcases primarily grain aromas, including cracked corn and peanut shell, it also has notes of white pepper, dark cherries, brown sugar, and Hershey’s chocolate syrup—a harbinger of things to come. The palate is a chocolate lover’s dream, rich and tantalizing without heaviness. There’s also mint, cinnamon, cashew butter, and well-integrated oak; time and water bring out sweet orange. It finishes with milk chocolate, toasted nuts, and lingering cinnamon.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

Boosting the ABV gives this more versatility for whisky-based cocktails, but neat, there are aromas of honey, barley, exotic woods, ripening pear, box-fresh sneakers, citrus, and fruity acids, with the spices turned down low. A convoluted profile winds through vanilla, sugar cubes, and honey fudge, followed by pear, apricot, and a gentle crescendo of spice, before hitting a plateau of honey, breakfast cereal, nougat, and white chocolate to finish. Best Value

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

Cherry pound cake, ground almond, and light vanilla, with delicious layers of sherry and top notes of acacia honey on the nose. Surprisingly nimble on the palate, with apple, waves of sherry, black cherry jelly, and a gentle buildup of spice, then caramel, dark sugar, vanilla, and red apple in later phases, though it is still light on its feet. A smooth clean finish propels more vigorous spice notes across the palate. (Travel Retail exclusive)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

Melon, honey, red apples, buttercups, and butterscotch on the nose, with classic Clynelish wax on the palate. Herbal, with lemon juice that has a little sea salt mixed into it. Licorice and white pepper in the slightly oily finish. Price is for entire Prima & Ultima Collection, of which this whisky is a part. (941 bottles) £20,000

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)

Sweet antiseptic, brine, new leather, and spice on the nose. The palate is lightly oily, with lemon juice, grapefruit, salt water, soft peat, and fish smoked on a beach barbecue. Smoky citrus fruits in the lengthy, gingery finish. Price is for entire Prima & Ultima Collection, of which this whisky is a part. (499 bottles) £20,000

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)

Dull tropical fruits, followed by emerging vanilla, and more fragrant and perfumed notes on the nose. Full-bodied, with very sweet citrus fruits on the early palate, which turn to green berries and dry slowly. Bitter orange, fennel, and oak tannins in the lengthy finish. Price is for entire Prima & Ultima Collection, of which this whisky is a part. (469 bottles) £20,000

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)

Initially, the nose is neutral and alcohol-laden, but notes of lemon, grape, and dried apricots gradually emerge, along with sandalwood, licorice, and herbaceousness. Spice, dark chocolate, bitter orange, and lemon show on the palate, as well as oak char, espresso, roasted walnuts, and herbs. More dark chocolate and spices ride on a long finish. Smooth but powerful, with light fruit notes emerging to balance refined herbs and spice. (1,382 bottles)

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2020)

Hand-rolled tobacco on the early nose, floral, with sweet peat smoke, vanilla, ripe apples, and raspberries heated over a wood fire. Smooth and mildly herbal on the palate, with spicy smoke and rich soft fruit notes, and lingering peat, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Licorice, smoky fruit, and tannins in the finish. (1,350 bottles for U.S.)

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)