All sorts of berries flood the nose. Dig a little deeper, and there’s strawberry tart, blueberry coulis, vanilla frosting, and cinnamon stick. A wave of hot spice greets the palate, but the berries aren’t gone for long; blueberry cobbler and strawberry ice cream intermingle with dark-roast coffee and cream. On the finish, there’s chile chocolate that is mouthwatering and leaves you keen for more.

Reviewed by: Julia Higgins (Fall 2022)

A portion of this blend spent 11 months on a moving semi-trailer. The nose is subtle and nuanced, notes of Bosc pear, cream soda, and lemon-poppyseed muffins, with hints of new leather and blueberry pie. Water brings out marzipan and Christmas cookies. A full creamy palate delivers honey cake, cherry coulis, peanut butter crackers, and chocolate. Milk chocolate, cherry, and spice anchor a somewhat disappointing finish. (30,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2022)

Drawn from the oldest casks from the distillery’s steam-driven stills era, the beguiling nose has a honeyed intensity of vanilla cream, Quaker Oats, ripe stone fruit, mango, fresh tropical fruits, ground almond, and candied orange. The tart bitter-orange flavors are mouth drawing, with peppercorn, walnut, and a jungle of oaky tannins. It’s very dry, with a finish of slightly tough dried fruit, falling short of Diageo’s sublime 1973 original. (351 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)

Up front this presents a bouquet of peanut shells, pecan pie, and fruit snacks, all backed by waxy fruits and a slightly sharp hint of alcohol. The palate smooths out with blackberries, blueberries, and strawberry jam. Nestled beneath the fruitiness is dark chocolate, baking spices, and a dash of pepper. The finish has good length and a bit of soapiness alongside baking chocolate and well-integrated oak.

Reviewed by: Shane English (Fall 2022)

The initial aromas bring woodsmoke on a creamy background, becoming coastal with iodine, brine, and sizzling bacon fat joined by hints of chocolate, smoked nuts, and herbal notes. It’s mouth-drawing, with a wild, outrageous spice intensity: red apple, thick smoke, black pepper, fennel, bell pepper, pomegranate, candied peel, nduja, and red chile. It’s not on the label, but this batch was finished in full-sized Laphroaig casks. (Colorado only)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)

Distilled in Poland and aged in Kentucky, this is fall in a glass. On the nose there’s orchard fruit, baked apples, cinnamon sugar, baking spices, and crushed fallen leaves. The palate continues the autumnal notes with baked apples, pear tarts, and gingersnap cookies. Water highlights some earthier flavors—leaves, slate, and spiced oak—and helps tame the heat, which is on the aggressive side. The Stranger wraps up quickly, with more roasted fruits and toasted wood. (2,088 bottles)

Reviewed by: Shane English (Fall 2022)

Immediate heat on the nose, alongside sweet mint, toasted sugar, dried strawberries, and pencil eraser. Water brings out vanilla bean ice cream and green bananas. The palate is smooth, grainy, and hot, with notes of spiced apples, oranges, and peppermint. Add water, and Red Hots, cherry cough syrup, and peppercorn spice emerge. New wood, chocolate, and orange zest highlight the finish. Lots of heat, pepper, and oak throughout. (1,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2022)

Decadent dark chocolate and chalky cacao nibs fill the nose, alongside a pleasant pairing of cinnamon spice and mint leaves. The palate takes a turn toward sweeter, fruitier flavors, though warming hot cocoa and cinnamon candies persist; there’s vanilla frosting, strawberry milk, cinnamon sugar, and a hint of lemon peel. A well-rounded finish emphasizes that wood spice and chocolate to good effect. (15,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: Julia Higgins (Fall 2022)

This is a bona fide bowl of red fruit on the nose, with raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, and bing cherries blossoming in the glass. A hint of cinnamon stick and Necco Wafer tempers the fruit, though the palate (which is quite hot) brings fruitiness back to the forefront—buckle up for more ripe red berries. The finish takes a turn, as baking spices and medium-roast coffee jump out. (8,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: Julia Higgins (Fall 2022)

Lots of wood and youth up front on the nose, notes of fresh oak, hay, honey on toast, lemon zest, orange marmalade, and hints of cherry. Black pepper, chocolate, and sugared coffee highlight the palate, which is chalky and dry but showcases nice texture. A lengthy finish with an undertone of paper delivers jammy notes, spice, and dark chocolate. The finish is the strongest component of this whiskey, which overall shows promise, but could use additional refinement.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2022)

The honey barrel finish is immediately apparent on the nose, with aromas of stewed prunes, honey cake, ripe fruits, candied nuts, and a syrupy sweetness reminiscent of sherry or other fortified wines. The palate is light and fruity, with baked apple, blueberries, cherry syrup, and a hint of ash. Over time, peppermint and a dusty farm-like quality emerge. The finish shows more syrup and peppery spice. It’s unusual, but well-made. (350 bottles)

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2022)

Expressive and fruity on the nose, with notes of mango, pineapple, dried apple, spiced watermelon, grape Kool-Aid powder, and hints of sweet vanilla. That fruity quality carries over to the palate, which is chalky, chewy, and viscous, with notes of sweet banana and baking spices. Water introduces blueberries, lavender, and more vanilla. The finish is long, smooth, and sweet, but tempered with spice. This whiskey knows its lane and shows sustained command. (1,800 bottles)

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2022)

Sweet aromas of berry jam, cinnamon sugar, and orange peel mix with notes of leather, peppermint, custard, and a dusty quality on the nose. The palate is syrupy and oak-forward with more spice accompanied by honey, fruit, and cream flavors. Water brings out vanilla pudding and maple syrup. There is more dessert on the finish in the form of rich chocolate mousse and birthday cake with vanilla frosting.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2022)

Overall, this is deftly herbal and balances a light woodiness with an expansive array of sweet fruits and savory peppers. The nose opens with a wisp of oak before fennel, licorice, and creamy milk chocolate take the lead. The palate is playful; jammy fruits bounce off baking chocolate, raspberry hard candies, savory chicory, jalapeño, and black pepper. The finish has good length, but the flavors are subtle and airy. (5,946 bottles)

Reviewed by: Shane English (Fall 2022)

This is a breakfast buffet for the nose, as buttery blueberry pancakes, maple syrup, cinnamon-sugar toast, and Krispy Kreme donuts waft up from the glass. The palate brings some heat, further supplemented by black pepper and cinnamon spice, with just a touch of chocolate. Add water, and jammier notes emerge: raisins, raspberry preserves, and jelly donut. A hot finish takes this one home, sending you off with a blast of Big Red gum. (100,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: Julia Higgins (Fall 2022)

New oak on the nose, with notes of mint and peppermint jumping out from a base of vanilla. Quite youthful in its overall profile. Very smooth on the palate, with generous baking spices—ginger, cinnamon, clove, plus black pepper and vanilla. A spiced finish offers vanilla, chocolate fudge, licorice, and spiced oak. Overall it seems barrel forward and needs more space for the flavors to come out and play.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Fall 2022)

On the nose, there are balanced earthy, green aromas, like pine trees, damp leaves, and cut lumber, with bright tropical fruits and plenty of spice lying in the underbrush. This rye also delivers lemon drops, a citrusy-sour note, berry sweetness, and rich vanilla extract. The palate matches the nose but dials the spice up: Cinnamon, sweet rosemary, and tarragon shine through. The finish is long and nutty with balanced berries and sweet herbs.

Reviewed by: Shane English (Fall 2022)

A woodsy nose, with fresh-cut lumber, dewy grass, and forest air alongside coffee beans and soft pretzels. Over time, citrus rind and chocolate-covered peanuts emerge. There’s more oak on the palate, along with cocoa powder and strawberries in sugar, with a little cinnamon and sweet peppermint mixed in. Good length and balance on the finish, which is jammy and fruity. The cask finish is the dominating note.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Fall 2022)