World Whiskey Reviews

Gold color. Toasty, smoky aromas of gingerbread, almond butter, dried moss, soursop, grilled banana, and charred green coconuts with a satiny, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, elegant, medium-long smoked ancho chile, tamarind, mango, toasted pound cake, worn leather, and guava pastry finish. A highly distinctive single malt with loads of spicy, tropical character.

Awards: 2018 Best Island Single Malt Scotch

Light golden amber color. Attractive aromas and flavors of honeyed rice puff cereal, fine floral soap, smoked creme brulee, and hint of campfire with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, distinctive, very long finish with overtones of smoky peat, iodine and gauze, honeyed dried stone fruit, and wet slate finish. A superb peated Highland malt of the highest order.

Awards: 2018 Best Highland Single Malt Scotch

Dark amber color. Aromas of fresh whole wheat baguette, toasty custard tart, sweet potato, smoked apricot preserve, and concord grape with a round, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, elegant, long violet, cinnamon, seaweed, charred pastry, night blooming jasmine, and black tea finish. A terrific Islay Single Malt that leaves the imbiber with a lingering, traveling flavor experience.

Awards: 2018 Best Islay Single Malt Scotch

Golden amber color. Aromas of varnished wood, coffee, honey candy, cherries, sesame, and tomato leaf with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a peppery, medium-length brown sugar pop tart, black pepper, and vanilla-ginger lozenge finish. A velvety nectar fit for special occasions.

Awards: 2018 Best Blended Scotch

Brilliant golden amber color. Fruity aromas of sweet pear nectar, crackers with cajeta, pecan shell, vanilla malt shake, and spice cake with a creamy, crisp, fruity medium body and a peppery, interesting, medium-long banana chips, honey, caramelized papaya, and whipped cream finish. An attractive and fruity blended scotch to drink any way you take it.

Brilliant gold color. Sweet aromas of barbecue rub, spiced honey butter, sea breeze, walnut, peach preserve, miso, and popovers with a round, vibrant, fruity sweet medium body and a warming, elegant, very long coriander, dark chocolate shavings, passion fruit, and caramel finish. A vibrant Island Single Malt that sings in precise harmony with enticing notes of fruit and honey.

Golden amber color. Aromas of pear filling, banana budino, geranium, tobacco pipe, and waffles with maple syrup with a velvety, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, layered, very long buckwheat honey, all-butter cookies, dried pineapple, charred apricot, duck prosciutto, and salted miso butterscotch finish. A whiskey with meandering curves and vibrant, lengthy finish.

Awards: 2018 Best Speyside Single Malt Scotch

Golden amber color. Attractive aromas and flavors of caramelized sweet agave, warm straw, sticky toffee pudding with raisins, charcoal, cherry cobbler with caramel, and ripe cantaloupe with a round, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, long finish with accents of chicory smoke, dry rub, dried apricot, gingerbread cookies, orange confection, and white pepper finish. A lengthy and complex Irish blended whiskey worthy of a neat pour.

Awards: 2018 Best Irish Blended Whiskey

Golden amber color. Fruity aromas of lychee, ripe pears, cucumber cordial, candied orange, fruit punch, baking spices, and lemon poppyseed muffin with a satiny, lively, fruity light-to-medium body and a peppery, elegant, very long ginger powder, allspice, toasty cookies, and licorice finish. A juicy, springtime Scotch filled with life and joy.

Bright mahogany color. Aromas of molasses, almond biscotti, leather, olives, tamari, toasted coconut, and red bean confection with a slightly chewy, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, interesting, medium-long chocolate truffle, cloud berry, star anise, carob, raisins, and dried figs finish. A chewy, sherry-influenced tropical whiskey that will be very attractive to rum drinkers.

Gold color. Aromas of ripe apples, tobacco, ripe honeydew melon, caramel, fig bar, and burnt orange with a round, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, subtle, very long grilled bread, compound butter, Peychaud’s bitters, allspice, and ginger finish. A terrifically balanced Single Pot Still whiskey with excellent concentration and length; sip this!

Slivery straw color. Inviting aromas of iodine, smoky pepperoni, pink grapefruit, ripe peaches, and speculoos cookies with a round, lively, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a peppery, very complex, endless sea salt, lilac, ginger beer, red and black licorice, and mace finish. An instantly appealing Islay malt; one whiff of this smoky-sweet treasure and you’ll be hooked.

Golden amber color. Interesting aromas of whole wheat scone, grape bubblegum, latex, dried apricot, and whoppers candies with a velvety, vibrant, dryish medium-to-full body and a peppery, nuanced, medium-long buckwheat pancakes and Greek yogurt with honey finish. A mighty whisky with a pleasingly dry palate.

Amber color. Aromas of olorosso sherry, citrus marinated olives, dried figs, baked rhubarb, and brioche with apple butter with an oily, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a peppery, complex, long sponge cake, leather saddle, butterscotch, and gingersnaps finish. A knock-out wine-influenced Island Single malt that hits the palate with oscillating leather and spice in spirit transforming ways.

Golden amber color. Aromas of toasted biscuit with raisins, charcoal briquettes, dried apricot, and grilled zucchini with a supple, bright, dry light-to-medium body and a tingling, medium-length vegetable ash, parmesan, honey-nut cereal, and cigarettes finish. A smoky blended scotch for mixed drinks.

Gold color. Aromas of rice cakes, thai hot chile sauce, nougat, and sugared banana with a satiny, dry-yet-fruity full body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length fudge brownies, creme, buttery caramel, and apple pie finish. A rock solid blended Irish Whiskey with a cookies and cream-like appeal.

Brilliant gold color. Attractive aromas and flavors of almond brittle, botan rice candy, cola, carob, freshly made kasha with brown sugar, and sweet corn with a glycerous, vibrant, fruity medium body and a peppery, interesting, long finish with notes of caramel-coated peanuts, toffee with sea salt, vanilla frozen custard, and grilled pineapple on toasty biscuit finish. A very tasty Irish Blended Whisky that overperforms for its category; rich, lengthy, and worthy of a Glencairn.

Gold color. Aromas of sprouted grains, rubber, sandalwood, dried basil, and animal crackers with a velvety, bright, dryish light body and a peppery, buoyant candied hazelnuts, toffee, marmalade, and gingerbread finish. A very enjoyable dram and excellent example of the Irish whiskey category.

Pale golden yellow color. Aromas of golden apple, lemon grass, turkish delight, honeysuckle, and warm oatmeal cookies with a creamy, crisp, fruity light body and a peppery, very long spiced pear compote, smoking wood, caramel pudding, buttered brioche, and coriander honey finish. An explosive and long-lasting palate makes this whiskey a winner.

Light gold color. Aromas of buttered biscuit, lilac, bruleed lemon, cinnamon candies, and earl grey tea with cream and sugar with a satiny, bright, dry light body and a tingling, medium-length ripe pear, turkish delight, sponge cake, and macadamia nut cookies finish. A solid blended scotch for highballs and cocktails.

Bright peach orange color. Grainy aromas of toasted barley and oats, pomegranate molasses, heather, and cucumber-mint with a round, lively, fruity medium-to-full body and an interesting, long salted marcona almonds, sherry glaze, plump raisins, and honeydew melon finish. A robust wine-influenced Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey that offers a unique and distinctive pour; opens up with drops of water.

Bright light gold color. Fruity aromas and flavors of white tea with honey, fragrant asian pears, geranium, peaches in cream, and sweet coconut sticky rice with a round, crisp, fruity medium body and a warming, complex, very long finish that exhibits nuances of honey wheat scone, caraway and dill finish. A seamlessly integrated Irish Single Malt with a beautiful, evolving finish.

Awards: 2018 Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey

Gold color. Elegant aromas of peach glaze, fine mosel riesling, dried tropical fruit, cucumber-eucalyptus soap, and white pepper with an vibrant, full body and a warming, very complex, long apricot nectar, whole wheat scone, dark chocolate chunks, clotted cream, honey butter, crystalized violets, and anise finish. An intricate journey of enticing fragrances and shape-shifting flavors; a must-try.

Brilliant dark amber color. Grainy aromas of toasted grain in a burlap sack, saddle soap and leather soap, rye flour with dark honey, and clay riverbank with a supple, dryish medium body and a peppery, delightful, long spiced dried stone fruits, chocolate raisin cake with chestnut honey, cedar, and smoked peppercorn finish. A dark and roasted grainy malt with a round, masculine style.

Gold color. Aromas of apricot preserves on whole wheat scone, toasted barley, apple-cinnamon yogurt, and pannetone with a slightly chewy, crisp, dryish medium body and a tingling, medium-length honey butter, toasted biscuit, and orange cordial finish. A rock-solid blended scotch with great versatility.

Gold color. Aromas of ginger peach tea, pepsi, saddle soaped saddle, hay, dried figs and dates, alfalfa, and chocolate ovaltine with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, appealing, medium-long dark browned biscuits and coconut, lemon oil, spiced lime leaf tea, salami, and fennel finish. A distinctive, rich whiskey with a wild edge.

Golden amber color. Aromas of clover honey, heather, buttered biscuit, orange blossom, coriander, and peaches in syrup with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium body and a warming, subtle, medium-length honey butter on parker rolls and fleur de sel finish. A delicious and mild Highland single malt with graceful fruits and classic style.

Brilliant light gold color. Aromas of light honey on yogurt, rice cakes, fig, lemon zest, and gooseberry preserve with a satiny, crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a warming, complex, long dried orange, black tea, dried strawberry, and grass clippings finish. A tasty and light-on-its-feet Irish Single Malt.

Bright gold color. Aromas of butter drizzled hazelnut, freshly pulled espresso, ripe red apple, and butterscotch pudding with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-length dark chocolate and salted pretzel finish. A satisfying and balanced sherry-influenced Speyside Single Malt.

Brilliant golden amber color. Aromas of spanish moss, sarsaparilla, mocha, bovril broth, apricot, banana muffin, and buckwheat pancakes with a velvety, crisp, dryish medium body and a warming, amusing, medium-long peppered gingerbread, leather, oolong tea, and macadamia nut finish. A distinctive and individualistic Speyside whiskey.

Gold color. Smoky aromas of dark browned biscuits, sourdough, smoked chocolate coated toffee, apricot, seaweed, carob, and anise with a satiny, crisp, fruity medium body and a tingling, engaging, medium-long pears, caramelized bananas with butterscotch, and black pepper finish. A very attractive blended Scotch that offers a smoky slice of Islay in the blend.

Light gold color. Sweet aromas of sweet apple filling, puff pastry, graham cracker, and sweet whipped cream with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light body and a smooth, medium-length rice flour cookies, lemon meringue, tea with cream and sugar, orange flower honey, and heather finish. A gentle and assuaging Irish whiskey.

Amber color. Aromas of ripe peaches and apricots, tropical tea, cherry granola, grand marnier, and hazelnut with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and an even, interesting, medium-long soy glazed almonds, zucchini bread, caponata with raisins, bran muffin, and grass and menthol finish. A robust Speyside single malt that will be an excellent standby to keep in-house.

Golden straw color. Green aromas and flavors of fresh thyme, burnt cinnamon, royall lyme cologne, galangal, jasmine rice, and cracked peppercorns with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light body and a warming, complex, long finish that presents elements of mars bar, fleur de sel, and dried apricot finish. A light-on-its-feet Irish Whiskey that doesn’t skimp on flavor; this is one to be sipped neat.

Golden amber color. Aromas of ripe apple, concord grape, honeysuckle, raisin bread, and black cherry cola with a satiny, crisp, fruity light body and a quick dried orange peel, mango lassi, and buttery graham cracker crust finish. A delicate Irish whiskey to be savored in warm-weather cocktails.

Light gold color. Interesting, herbal aromas of juniper, cedar plank, irish spring soap, egg white, and galangal with a satiny, crisp, fruity medium body and a peppery, charming, medium-length wintergreen, caramelized aliums, black pepper, rice confection, and pickled ginger finish. An intriguingly herbal Irish Single Malt for a gin drinker who needs a proper dram.

Amber color. Aromas of lemon oil wood polish, spanish moss, iced pastry, and peach tea with a supple, vibrant, dryish medium body and a peppery, intriguing, medium-length toasty baguette, brown butter, ginger powder, dried rose petal, and menthol mint finish. A dry and brawny Irish Single malt that brings the spice.

Bright light gold color. Aromas of apple blossom, honeydew melon, lemongrass, iced green tea, and orgeat with a satiny, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a sleek, compelling, long parker rolls and cherry stone finish. A bright and nectar-like Highland Single Malt in a crowd-pleasing style.

Bright gold color. Elegant aromas of ripe apricot, alfalfa on rye, creme fraiche, roasted grain, nougat with dried fruits, buckwheat honey, wintergreen, and milk chocolate coated dried currants with a round, vibrant, fruity medium body and a tingling, intricate, medium-long violet, smoked almonds, and saltine cracker finish. A delicious whiskey with engaging flavor twists and turns and a delicate kiss of smoky char.

Golden amber color. Toasty, sweet aromas of malted milk balls, charred nuts, toffee latte, honey butter, grilled apricot, thyme, and lemon curd with a velvety, lively, fruity medium body and a warming, interesting, medium-long caramel, demerara, bruleed key limes, earthy chalk, and black pepper finish. The scotch drinker will get a friendly introduction to Irish whiskey in this slightly smoky dram.

Light gold color. Aromas of golden delicious apples, botan rice candy, chocolate dipped banana, dried herbs, vanilla caramel, eucalyptus, and white flowers with a velvety, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a warming, complex, medium-long chocolate coated peanuts and anise finish. A very nice Irish blended whiskey that will be an great old standby to keep on hand.

Brilliant golden amber color. Aromas of caramel crunch scone, dried cranberry, sesame oil, lily, honeycomb, dried pineapple, and spice cake with a round, tangy, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a peppery, complex, long flint, kiwi relish, dill, crystalized ginger, and star anise finish. A bright and spicy Speyside with a fine riesling-like character.

Bright golden amber color. Aromas of chocolate malted milk balls, honey, and candied pear with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, interesting, medium-length tobacco, apple-cinnamon, banana muffin, wafer cookie, aromatic barks, and heather finish. A solid Highland Single Malt for highballs.

Gold color. Aromas of chocolate covered toffee, pear and banana taffies, soft rubber, and caraway with a glycerous, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a peppery, relaxed frosted spice cake and marmalade finish. A solid Irish Whiskey for shooting and mixing.

Bright golden amber color. Nutty, grainy aromas of pine nut confection, medjool dates, young pineapple, sprouted grain bread, mustard, and green tomato with a satiny, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-length crackers with apple butter finish. A solid sherry-influenced Speyside Single Malt with a rich and chewy palate.

Gold color. Interesting, green aromas and flavors of meyer lemon, lime leaf, dried kiwi, bruleed orange, ginger scone, and cracked pepper with a round, crisp, fruity medium body and a refreshing, medium-long finish revealing nuances of pecan pie, cinnamon smoke, rose hips, and Werther’s candy finish. An intriguing Irish blended whiskey with spicy cascade of flavors.

Gold color. Grainy aromas and flavors of apple sharlotka, pistachio nougat, honey butter, tangerine, and southern biscuit dough with a slightly chewy, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long finish revealing notes of whole wheat scone with speculoos spread and baklava finish. A rich and chewy Irish Blended whiskey with a tasty, mouth coating finish.

Golden yellow color. Inviting aromas of nougat with roasted nuts, pineapple-kiwi smoothie, turkish delight, honey-lemon tea, moss, and chocolate covered cherry cordial with a round, vibrant, fruity medium body and a warming, distinctive, long cucumber cordial, chocolate croissant, specials cookie spread, cocoa powder, and orange blossom water finish. A very tasty Irish Single Malt with lots a nooks and crannies of flavor to discover.

Brilliant gold color. Odd aromas of fallen apricot, green apple butter, and ovaltine with a silky, dryish light body and a peppery, medium-length baking chocolate, dough, and smoked tomato finish. A solid mixable Scotch.

Brilliant gold color. Fruity aromas of orange candies, banana runts, korean rice cakes, and pistachio turkish delight with a satiny, bright, fruity light-to-medium body and a warming, cheery dry roasted nuts and peanut skins finish. A lighthearted Irish whiskey for everyday enjoyment; mix or shoot.