A blast of peat bonfire starts on the nose, before moving into more subtle peat on the palate. Here it creates a delicate overlay to notes of vanilla, toasted marshmallow, peaches and cream, dried red fruits, and pepper. The finish offers length, more dried red fruits, peat, and peppery spice, with an earthy note of char at the end. Delicate, refined, and balanced, particularly in light of its relative youth. (6,192 bottles)

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2020)

This evokes walking into a cabin deep in the woods, surrounded by fresh cut oak, as wisps of pine boughs and resin pour in on the wind, along with earth and warm cocoa. The palate is pleasingly plush, with vanilla sweetness that suggests orange Creamsicle, almond pastry, and plenty of toasty oak. There is also some fresh orange zest and grated ginger, with only a gentle suggestion of spice.

Reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth (Fall 2020)

A nose of mint and red and blue fruits suggests teaberry, with crushed herbs adding savory appeal. On the palate, the fruit really leaps forward; decadent black plum and red Hawaiian Punch turn ever-more dark and deep, as raisin and currants meet distinctive clove and cinnamon-spice notes for a finish of Christmas cake. Unconventional, but lovely in the way it combines lush sherried fruit with rye-like spice.

Reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth (Fall 2020)

This balances sweetness, vanilla, and smoke extremely well, and I found it preferable to Monkey Shoulder for sipping neat. On the palate, there’s sweet smoke from blackened oak logs, fragrant spices, a well-developed vanilla note, and a hint of orange peel. The structure hangs lightly, and more weight behind the smoke would have been preferable, but the sweetness and spice yield to lovely creamy vanilla flavors, banana, and a finish of milky coffee. £32

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

A revival brand from Lux Row Distillers’ owner Luxco, and part of a trio that also features a cabernet cask-finished bourbon and another finished in new toasted French oak casks. This one is herbal and earthy on the nose, with a light note of citrus. The palate is delicate, with flavors of vanilla cream, cola, and raspberry. Well-balanced and smooth on the finish, ending with pleasant notes of spice.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2020)

Made at B.R. Distilling Co. in Memphis, this rye has a fragrant nose of dried herbs and a subtle scent of lemon grove, tempered by an earthy minerality. Light and dry on the palate, with flavors of cracked pepper, aged herbs, and tilled earth, set against rich, sweet undernotes of cinnamon baked apple, blackberry tart, honeysuckle, and vanilla. The finish is smooth, malty, and fruity, with balanced sweetness and earthiness. (4,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2020)

This gem from Forty Creek revives the tradition of adding herbs to whisky. Subdued toffee on the nose rolls into a general earthiness, followed by prune juice and gentle spirit. The palate immediately shows white pepper with sweet soothing caramels behind, finishing in a long, vaguely woody herbal essence. Added herbs subtly enhance the whisky flavors rather than offering their own. If ever a whisky sparkled, this is it. $35 CAD

Reviewed by: Davin de Kergommeaux (Fall 2020)

Released in 2017 to replace the well-regarded 27 year old, this Tomintoul presents a nose of malt and gentle spice, with lemon drizzle cake. Medium-bodied on the palate, very sweet, with brittle toffee, honey, sultanas, wood spice, and black tea with sugar. Vanilla, licorice, allspice, and subtle oak in the finish.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)

Juicy and punchy nose with highly promising sherry notes; blueberry, bramble, nutmeg, and fine pepper, with date, currant, stewed Bramley apples, and fruity Madagascan dark chocolate. The palate doesn’t quite reach the heights of the nose, but sweet fruit sugar, barley, and orange peel keep the peppery spice in check, before settling down to a final plateau of strawberry jam with hints of tobacco and plum.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

Freshly polished oak, walnuts, damsons, vanilla, and orange blossom are present on the nose. The slightly oily and peppery palate features sweet sherry, more vanilla, nutmeg, then black currants and raisins. Prunes, drying oak, and black coffee in the medium-length finish. A very solid Highlander for lovers of sherry cask maturation. (298 bottles; U.S. exclusive)

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)

A 2020 addition to the Fettercairn stable, this expression was distilled using chocolate malt, and matured in first-fill bourbon casks before a finishing in sherry and port casks. The nose is slightly meaty, with raisins, black treacle, white pepper, and dark chocolate. Smooth on the substantial palate, with drinking chocolate, plums, black pepper, cinnamon, and a savory note. Ginger, chile, instant coffee, and pipe tobacco in the finish. £70

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)

Apricots and candle wax aromas on the early nose, with honey, caramel, and a hint of cinnamon. Supple on the palate, with juicy peaches, ripe banana, malt, licorice, and wood spices. The finish is long, with aniseed, spicy oak, dark chocolate, and black pepper. (1,468 bottles) £65

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)

Blended from select stocks by Irish whiskey bonder Louise McGuane, this new batch has a fine combination of aromas of lemon, white flowers, lychee, peach, lime, grapefruit peel, white pepper, sliced cucumber, and cold-pressed olive oil. Initially mouth drawing, it has a medium-weight, silky, buttery texture that explores melon, vanilla, pepper, cream-filled doughnuts, and sweet banana, with lemon and nimble spices on the finish. (3,500 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)

Rose blossom, vanilla, and cocoa powder to start, while sultana, walnut, and oloroso notes develop in time on the nose. Soft on the palate, with tingling spices, malt extract, cake mix, raisins, dates, figs, and dark chocolate, all set against relatively dry oak. Dates, prunes, and spicy dark chocolate in the lingering finish.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)

The grain shows itself richly on the nose, with baking spice, peppermint stick, and nutty aromas; with time, candied fruit notes emerge. They reappear on the palate, especially after adding a few drops of water, as cherry skins and grape jelly. There’s also peppermint, cocoa powder, roasted walnuts, chicory, and black pepper. The finish veers toward bitterness, with dark chocolate and coffee bean, but retains a peppermint verve.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

An unconventional flavor profile with a nose featuring fresh mint and chocolate in abundance, along with secondary notes of candle wax tinged with a bit of alcohol heat. It’s the chocolate that sticks around through the palate, as gentle sweetness is quickly swept up in warming spices and bitter Mexican chocolate, supported by flavors of nutty, honeyed malt. Enjoyable and highly original.

Reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth (Fall 2020)

As with most of the Tomintoul range, the nose is quiet, with diluted orange juice and fondant cream in time. The fruity palate majors in canned peaches in cream, with encroaching nuttiness and white pepper. Fruit remains a feature in the medium-length finish, with cocoa and malt.

Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2020)

Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery has two Forsyths pot stills and a four-plate copper column, giving them plenty of options. An encouraging step toward their flagship single malt, this lemon-pale dram evokes aromas of lemon, herb gardens, clotted cream, marshmallow, and a little vanilla. It’s sweet as candy, with flavors of sugared almonds, Sweethearts, butter icing, candied lemon peel, pancakes, and a finish of peppery arugula leaves. (6,000 bottles) £55

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2020)