Some candied notes on the nose, but also very piney, with fresh wood and hints of mint. Lots of chocolate and mint-chocolate chip ice cream on the palate, pine nuts, and notes of pine bough, menthol, dark chocolate, and coffee. This is lively and spiced, but not overly so. The finish has good length, with more fresh woodsy notes and a balanced underlying sweetness. Savory and sippable overall.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2022)

Tart and tangy, this leans into citrus, with lime juice, lemon peel, and grapefruit at the fore. Give it a moment and richer, if a little artificial, notes arrive: chocolate syrup, Swiss Miss, and Yoo-hoo. Those flavors lend themselves to a creamy palate resplendent with hot fudge, orange-infused chocolate, cinnamon spice, vanilla bean, and more citrus. The finish is smooth and long-lasting, and has a touch of menthol at the tail end.

Reviewed by: Julia Higgins (Fall 2022)

The official whisky of the 122nd U.S. Open was finished in bourbon, new oak, and rye barrels and oozes class and elegance. On the nose, honey sweetness, banana bread, toffee, cinnamon buns, maple syrup on pancakes, dried fruits, and cream soda make the cut. Rich honey, spun sugar, barley sugar, and butterscotch play around on the palate, adding nutmeg, cinnamon, toffee, red apple, plum, and some late creaminess to its scorecard.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)

Chocolate comes forth on the nose: chocolate pudding, chocolate babka, hot fudge, chocolate-covered almonds, and chocolate Ovaltine. Delightfully, those rich chocolaty flavors shine through to the palate, though they’re now supplemented by red fruit. The heat on this one is incredible, so add water (and even then, the fire will remain) for a less spicy affair. The spicy, chocolate-fueled finish ties this up in the neatest of bows. (3,571 bottles)

Reviewed by: Julia Higgins (Fall 2022)

Rock pool saltiness, orange peel, dried tropical fruits, smoky agave, dry grassy notes, and lemon curd achieve an excellent balance of aromas. This demonstrates a superior mouthfeel and texture compared to other mezcal and tequila cask-finished scotches, with an invigorating palate of lemon Jell-O, gooseberry, sharp fruitiness, hot smoke, honeydew, and spices. (300 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)

Combining Texas-grown corn, barley, and rye in the mashbill, this is complex, with tropical aromas and zesty lime, but also burnt notes of caramelized fruit. The palate is equally intriguing, with aged oak, baked apple, chocolate, and chile pepper. Water unlocks more fruit, butterscotch, and the pleasant mustiness of an old barrel. Good length on a finish that offers sweet raspberry, chocolate, balanced spice, and notes of barrel char.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2022)

Fresh oak, chocolate brownies, cocoa powder, cinnamon, tiramisu, and taffy on the nose. Rich and full-bodied on the palate with such powerful heat that it definitely needs water or ice, but serves up notes of raisins, dried red fruits, chocolate, and cinnamon. Lots of brown sugar, chocolate, and spice on the finish. Well-textured overall and with lovely tempered sweetness—a big whiskey but one that carries its proof well.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2022)

Black Label innovations now run into double figures, but this is the best to date. Fruity nose with dark chocolate, bramble, dark toffee, dried apricot, and plenty of creaminess balanced with some coastal smokiness. The palate rejoices in red summer fruits drizzled in milk chocolate, red licorice, plum, and pepper, then releases its grip for a glossy, mouth-coating final phase of creamy white chocolate studded with dried raspberry.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)

The sherry cask influence is apparent, and to great effect. The alluring nose is a symphony of raisins, Fig Newtons, quince paste, white peach, and dried pineapple. More fruit follows on the palate, which is delicate despite being heavy on fruit leather flavors. A touch of honey and a zip of lemon peel add even more dimension. The lengthy finish is fruity, with delightful wood spice at the tail end. (7,800 bottles) Best Value

Reviewed by: Julia Higgins (Fall 2022)

Green apple candy, honeydew, cantaloupe, lemon jelly candies, and cooked blueberries alongside pine needles on the nose. The palate is similarly soft, with more lemon and pine flavors, rye spice, and with water, bitter chocolate and dark berries. The texture is creamy and oily, like freshly made hummus. A rich finish provides good length, plus notes of blueberry compote and chocolate cake. The finish presents itself nimbly on this bright and easy sipper. (12,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2022)

  Despite the rolling pot still spices at its core, the aromas paint a sweet, fruity, and mellow picture. Dried mango, banana chips, ripe pear, meringue, and heather honey aromas conceal the spicy mayhem to come. Dominant spices surge through the mango and citrus peel flavors on the palate, leaving notes of fennel and cilantro in their wake. The spices carry on, beating the drum throughout the dry finish.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)

The nose is elegantly restrained at first, but soon gives off notes of fragrant wood, cooked dark berries, grape jelly, and baked apple pie. A richly spiced palate offers grape, blueberry pie, vanilla, and a hint of coconut. Water brings out new spice notes and red fruit, but this one is also tasty sipped neat. An impressive finish offers dark chocolate, sweet cooked turnips, barrel char, and pepper spice.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2022)

At batch proof, Woodford’s bourbon is layered and rich, opening with decadent tiramisu, café latte, and hazelnut coffee. With time and a little water, this whiskey unfolds with stewed fruits, berry compote, milk chocolate syrup, and a wide range of baked goods, like cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins, and chocolate croissants. The finish is long and spicy, introducing black pepper and dark chocolate with sea salt, plus a healthy amount of toasty oak.

Reviewed by: Shane English (Fall 2022)

The concept for this whisky is based on the color of coral and the phenomenon of synesthesia, whereby sensory stimuli provoke crossover experiences—like associating colors with flavors. An intensity of aromas is unleashed: tropical fruits, grilled pineapple, vanilla, caramel, dried apple ring, oak spices, dried citrus wheel, and struck match. Sweet, fruity, silky, and drenched in flavors of citrus, honey, tangy pineapple, grapefruit, lime zest, Life Savers, gummy bears, sliced apple, deep spices, and jelly beans. (3,113 bottles worldwide)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)

This is a big ride, with incoming flavors from the four different types of casks used: bourbon; shaved, toasted, and re-charred; ruby port; and carcavelos wine. On the nose, there’s pear, vanilla, cream, honey sweetness, shortbread, barley, lemon, and a generous sprinkle of peppery spice. Lap it up at full strength with flavors of sweet vanilla, apricot, citrus peel, and raspberry, followed by a peak of peppery spice, then fruit jelly beans and gingersnaps. (1,210 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)

The nose suggests this is a huge, effusive whisky through aromas of flamed orange disc, peel oils, baking spices, triple sec, mango, dark chocolate, passion fruit, and walnut shells. Yet the texture is elegant and light, with warm orange, citrus peel, nuts, and marzipan fruits showing skillful restraint regarding the sherry influence over the years. A finish of citrus, wood spices, oak char, and roasted peppercorn.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)

The first single malt from Connacht in 107 years is sweet, juicy, and utterly moreish. It has a bouquet of honeycomb, vanilla sponge, lemon meringue pie, amaretti cookies, marzipan, white pepper, and a spritz of lime. Honey, vanilla, custard creams, peel oils, pepper, and waves of sweet lemon ease into baked fruits, ripe apricot, and sponge fingers soaked in orange liqueur. Gentle spice and Refreshers candy on the finish. (8,400 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)

Powerful and big on the nose, with baked chocolate brownies, plum pudding, cooked prunes, and woodsmoke. Water brings out spice notes of nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla. The palate is spicy, with blackberry tart, chocolate, blueberry pie, barrel char, and more vanilla. The finish is the best part, with balanced char, lots of deep chocolate, and some dark fruit. It’s a hot one, but this is a very well-made whiskey.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2022)