More peated and peated cask-finished Irish whiskeys are emerging and this one is no half-measure. It’s smoky but balanced, with vanilla sponge, lemon zest, golden syrup, rock pools, iodine, and maritime notes, with a whiff of creosote. Elegant and smooth, with vanilla cream, lemon meringue pie, and developing creamy fudge notes with pepper and smoke. Lots of top-quality American oak at play and plenty of smoke on the finish.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2021)

Named after the founding date of Dunville’s Irish whiskey, this stellar blend combines barley, honey, finely ground pepper, nutmeg, and aniseed balls, with light vanilla and soft fudge aromas. The beautiful transition through phases of flavor is impressive: light citrus, vanilla, and honey initially, becoming tangy with orange flan and mandarin, then hitting a baked orange note as the sweetness rises. Spices push through, concluding with cantaloupe and mango notes.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2021)

The Dewar’s 8 year old line is developing into one of the best series in contemporary blending. This noses of vanilla sponge cake, roasted spices, exotic woods, lemongrass stalks, walnuts, and spun sugar nests. Vanilla, honey, yellow apple, lemongrass, and some understated herbal notes; the smoothness is noteworthy, and its glossy mouth-coating finish is studded with spices. (Editors' Choice)  

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2021)

Sweet and beguiling smokiness, with wild mint, vanilla bean, and chocolate-coated raspberries on a complex, vibrant nose. The mouthfeel is thick and flavorful, with warm notes of sweetened peat, red berries, and dark chocolate, followed by a long, velvety finish offering notes of orange tart, more chocolate, licorice, dark espresso, and a touch of wood-fired brisket. Lively, agreeable, and inviting—like the warm hearth of a mountain cabin at nightfall.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Summer 2021)

Banana-flavored candy, royal icing, and cocoa powder, with tangerine, cantaloupe, and soft pear on the nose. It’s lush, groaning with fruit, but still has plenty of body. Expect fresh fruity flavors of pear and apple strewn across a bed of honeyed sugary sweetness propped up by a big wedge of vanilla. Structured around whiskies of the now-closed Imperial Distillery, it’s one to sip and savor as it weaves its magic spells. (5,538 bottles, 1,800 for U.S.)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2021)

A good single cask pick should stand up proudly at cask strength yet still show plenty of character after dilution: This aged Welsh whisky does both superbly. Aromas of stewed rhubarb, cherry syrup, five spice, fresh oak, ripening black currants, and ground ginger. It opens with sweet flavors of lemon shortbread, vanilla, cherry gummy bears, and raspberry, building to a climax of clove, cinnamon bark, and tannic fruit skins. Don’t miss!

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2021)

Distilled in Kentucky from a mashbill of 78% corn, 13% rye, and 9% malted barley, the nose showcases notes of orange peel, butterscotch, flan, and honey-roasted peanuts. The palate is tart and acidic; orange marmalade and lemon peel, with loads of nuts and spices. Even with water added, dried citrus peel and roasted nuts break through. The finish is mouthwatering, with tingling spice and rich oak. Well-balanced and flavorful with density and dimension. (1,290 bottles)

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Summer 2021)

Substantial wood character, caramel-drizzled pecans, pears poached in red wine, and bananas Foster, balanced handsomely by the pot still spice. Sweet orchard fruits—from pulpy pear to a rounded Cox’s apple note—plus dark toffee, the heat of red chiles, red currant, more wood, and milk chocolate. A soothing finish, with raisins and a flare of spices that linger with the fruit. Dark and wood-driven, but this never topples the balance. €95

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2021)

Aromas of fresh orange peel burst with tart acidity, mixed with milk chocolate, stone fruit, peppercorns, chile flakes, five spice, and red Twizzlers. A lithe and supple character of mandarin and runny caramels on the palate, with elements of walnut and gentle spices, then developing greater tanginess, creaminess, and red berry fruits. Longevity is quite attainable with rice whiskies, though don’t expect them to match the body and texture of 30 year old malts.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2021)

Toasted malt, fresh grapefruit and lemon, coconut, vanilla, honeysuckle, poached pears, saline, candle wax, and campfire smoke on the nose. Despite the high proof, the mouthfeel is silky, fizzing with lemon and dry with chalky minerality, though savory malt and a smoky backbone make up the meat of the flavors. The finish is ashy, with oak char, coffee bean, and the slight tang of lemon peel. (229 bottles)

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Summer 2021)

Complex and layered on the nose; what starts off as herbaceous, with pine cone, tea leaf, lemon oil, and toasted nuts, develops into sweet aromas of candied nuts, cinnamon challah bread, maple syrup, and toffee. A full-bodied and chewy palate is heavily spiced with cinnamon, pepper, caraway, and roasted elements once water is added. A mouthwatering finish shows good length, herbaceous oak, licorice, and coffee bean. Time and water both help this whiskey’s full plumage to emerge.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Summer 2021)

The nose presents a complex, almost condensed array of aromas: cantaloupe, vanilla, Rocket Pop, raspberry jam, sandalwood, tobacco leaf, fancy mixed nuts, and incense. Equally complex and layered on the palate, which highlights herbal and delicate spice notes of clove, mint, cedar, sandalwood, and black pepper, along with dark fruit—raspberry, blackberry, grape—and roasted nuts. Cacao nibs, Andes mint chocolates, clove, nutmeg, and charred oak overflow on the lengthy finish.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Summer 2021)

Starlight’s straight bourbon gets an 8-month finish in new vanilla toast American white oak barrels from Napa Valley cooperage Seguin Moreau. That oak influence shows itself on the nose as pecans, rich caramel, and antique bookcase. A youthfulness emerges with water. The palate is chewy, with generous oak, root beer, and a dark earthiness. Cocoa powder, mint, and tea leaf highlight the finish. The structure is clean and the flavors work with or without water.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Summer 2021)

Bakery shop aromas of shortbread, vanilla cupcake, sugared almond, melted marshmallow, and banana bread batter form a base for fragrant herbs, spice, and orange. The palate expands on the herbal character with cedar boughs, incense, and chamomile alongside orange peel, orange blossom water, black cherries, allspice, and lively pepper. Sweetened herbal tea, black pepper, dried ginger, cinnamon, cooked cherry, and toasted oak to finish.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Summer 2021)

A pleasant, pretty nose with sweetened notes of almond, vanilla milkshake, milk chocolate, candy corn, caramel, and grape hard candy. Smooth and delicate on a palate that is draped in flavors, with notes of spiced chocolate, candied orange slices, and toffee. Water brings out a fresh array of sweet flavors—vanilla cream, birthday cake, raspberry tart, creamy chocolate, and a light influence of tobacco leaf. The finish continues the theme, offering length and delicate flavor.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Summer 2021)

Sweet barbecue smoke, vanilla bean, milk chocolate, sesame breadstick, grilled apples, and charred peppers on the nose. On the palate, the smoke is sweet and savory, a little meaty—grilled sausage—and supported by dark chocolate and tobacco leaf. There’s also lemon and orange oil, raspberry, vanilla, and satisfying nuttiness. More sweet-savory smoke into the gently fading finish, overlaid on cocoa powder, mint leaf, and vanilla. (2,500 bottles)

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Summer 2021)

An attractive proposition of granola, toasted nuts, dried fruits, vanilla pod, grist box, and wood spices greets the nose. It’s light bodied but tasty, with nutty flavors, initially whole almond and nougat, then walnut, as orange peel flavors blossom into marmalade on hot buttered toast, with baked muffin and cinnamon, while the spices rip along under the tongue. Warm fruitcake on the finish.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2021)

Cereal-led aromas on a classic Irish whiskey nose with wood shavings, straw, crisp spices, hints of honey, burlap, extra virgin olive oil, and other savory notes. A scrumptious palate of lemon, white chocolate, soft-serve vanilla ice cream, and sweet honey followed by tangerine, gentle peppery spices, hints of lemon and lime, and an ebullient spicy aftertaste. Perfect for a lazy Sunday: There’s very little wrong with this. (Best Value)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2021)