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Reviews for 2023

July 2023 - World Whisk(e)y

July 2023 - World Whisk(e)y
This month's Spirits feature is World Whisk(e)y

World Whisk(e)y Reviews

Blue Spot 7 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
99 points
$90
Savory, almost meaty and then layered with red berries, citrus, and flaky pastries with tropical fruit confections; this one goes deep into the vault and delivers a king's fortune of flavor and gratification.
REDBREAST 27 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Batch No. 4
98 points
$599
Fresh and dried spiced mango with waves of coconut and a menagerie of accompanying fruits and spices; if this doesn't grab your attention then you aren't paying attention to Whiskies.
REDBREAST 21 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
97 points
$230
This is something quite special, a special Whiskey to be sipped and appreciated with special friends; both contemplative to focus on by itself but subtle and enjoyable enough to take a back seat to your guests.
Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
97 points
$288
An amazingly complex and multifaceted Irish Whiskey that tantalizes the senses and evolves with every sip; layers of fruit and spice that is like simultaneously walking through an Irish apple orchard and a Turkish bazaar.
REDBREAST 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
96 points
$115
A sensationally satisfying Sherry-accented Single Pot Still Whiskey to revel with and revere.
Red Spot 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
96 points
$150
A brooding and seductive, seriously delicious Single Pot Still Whiskey well suited for contemplative post prandial sipping.
Knappogue Castle 21 Year Old Exclusive Cask-Vatting Single Malt Irish Whiskey
96 points
$212
Bespoke and understated elegance here while deftly holding the 46% ABV and could be much bolder but instead maintains restraint and finesse; sip this and enjoy gracefully while others shout and destroy their palates with something cask strength.
Kavalan Solist Brandy Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
96 points
$214
Fruity and savory, this Whisky is driven by umami; a fascinating and contemplative sipper.
Jameson Bow Street 18 Year Old Cask Strength Irish Blended Whiskey Batch No. 1/2019
96 points
$277
An Irish Whiskey that stops you in your tracks like a punch to the mouth, yet the rich, sweet layers of grain and spice have you coming back and nicely asking for another.
Amrut Cask Strength Indian Single Malt Whisky
95 points
$91
Cask strength Whisky poured over your honey and apple cinnamon breakfast cereal mix; the intensity of the flavors is dialed in.
King Car Conductor Single Malt Whisky
95 points
$102
A rich and bold Whisky that is absolutely delicious with a touch of spicy heat.
REDBREAST 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Batch No. B1/22
95 points
$107
A ferociously flavorful and fat Whiskey that stuns the senses with its complexity and power.
Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
95 points
$214
Rich and intense yet still manages to be lithe and nimble in spite of being a brooding powerhouse of a dram.
Midleton Very Rare Irish Blended Whiskey
95 points
$250
An extremely charming and approachable blended Whiskey that will be a superbly satisfying evening companion.
Kavalan Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
95 points
$599
Like Texas BBQ dry rub on smoked meat; powerful and delicious.
Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
95 points
$599
Absolutely delicious with great intensity and layer upon layer of flavor complexity; think roasted dates and pralines with intensely layered savory and sweet spices.
Kavalan Solist Moscatel Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
95 points
$599
Super concentrated Manzanilla Sherry with the alcohol completely in check; the best and most complex peanut brittle you ever had in liquid form.
The Big Smoke 50% Heavily Peated Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
94 points
$59
A bold, smoky, blended Scotch with cascading waves of peaty and fruity flavors.
McConnell’s 5 Year Aged Sherry Cask-Finished Irish Blended Whiskey
94 points
$60
An excellent example of Irish Whiskey, nicely balanced with sherry cask influence.
Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
94 points
$70
Rich buttery sweetness with waves of fruit and refreshing green notes; will make a very fine early evening sipper.
Kavalan Distillery Reserve Madeira Cask Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
94 points
$89
This is turned up to 11 and then turned up to 11 again; lots of flavor and not for the faint of heart.
Knappogue Castle 14 Year Old Non-Chill Filtered Single Malt Irish Whiskey
94 points
$96
A bold, spicy Irish Single Malt that sets the bar at a most pleasurable level.
Suntory Hibiki Japanese Harmony Blended Japanese Whisky
94 points
$100
Depth and complexity of aromas and flavors balanced with a harmonious honey sweetness throughout; perfectly demonstrating the finesse of blended Whiskies.
Amrut Peated Cask Strength Indian Single Malt Whisky
94 points
$107
Smoky and salted dry mango with plenty of wood and grain notes; curious yet delicious.
Knappogue Castle 16 Year Old Sherry Cask-Finished Single Malt Irish Whiskey
94 points
$115
A complex and palate stimulating Single Malt for serious sipping and savoring; let this one open up a bit before diving into its pleasure packed pool.
Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
94 points
$195
Like a Speyside Single Malt and high proof Bourbon cuvée, sweet and grainy with tons of heat and barrel flavor; simply put, if you like big and bold Whiskies you will like this.
Kavalan Solist PX Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
94 points
$699
Dark chocolate, coffee cake, and dried red fruits make up this rich flavor bomb.
Powers Gold Label Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
93 points
$35
A fun, spicy Irish Whiskey for elevated sessions and soirées.
Jameson Black Barrel Irish Blended Whiskey
93 points
$38
A sleek, yet rich Irish blend that captivates the senses.
Laird’s Apple Brandy Barrel-Finished Irish Whiskey
93 points
$39
A silky smooth sipper with delicate caramel apple flavors.
Spirit of HVEN MerCurious Corn Whisky
93 points
$40
A lovely Whisky with good depth and complexity of flavors; simple enough to drink, yet complex enough to pore over.
Spirit of HVEN Hvenus Rye Whisky
93 points
$40
Rich, spicy, and warming; this Whisky will cut through a winter chill.
Jameson Crested Irish Blended Whiskey
93 points
$45
Honeyed sweet malt leads the way with notes of sticky toffee pudding; a most delightful sipper.
Myrká 12 Year Old Blended Malt Whisky Batch No. 7
93 points
$50
A layered and decently complex Whisky that really highlights the roasted and honeyed grain flavors.
Black Bull 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky
93 points
$55
A rich, nutty, sherried blended Scotch Whisky that will appeal to Single Malt drinkers.
Kavalan Distillery Select No. 2 Single Malt Whisky
93 points
$59
A rich and well balanced single malt with bold, instantly appealing tropical fruit flavors that can be enjoyed on its own or in cocktails.
Torabhaig Allt Gleann Legacy Series Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky
93 points
$65
A sleek and stylish Single Malt with a fine interplay of smoke, fruit, and wood spice.
Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old Bourbon Cask-Matured Single Malt Irish Whiskey
93 points
$69
Delicate, yet the subtle depth does not go unnoticed nor unappreciated.
REDBREAST 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
93 points
$70
A sleek, minerally and lively Single Pot Still Whiskey with lovely nuances to get lost in.
Green Spot Leoville Barton Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
93 points
$76
Exotic spices layered on sweet grains and fruits; a bit atypical but fascinating.
Powers Johns Lane 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
93 points
$76
Dried tropical fruits on sweet caramel bread pudding; a complex cloud of dreamy Whiskey.
Glen Grant 15 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
93 points
$78
An excellent and typical Speyside malt with nice pops of tropical fruits and pastries.
Keeper’s Heart 10 Year Old Malaga Wine Cask-Finished Single Malt Irish Whiskey
93 points
$79
A delightfully fresh, fruity, and satisfying Irish Single Malt for all occasions.
REDBREAST Lustau Edition Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
93 points
$87
A round and warming Whiskey with forests of creamy, spicy oak to buttress the firmament of fruit and grain.
METHOD AND MADNESS 14 Year Old Irish Single Malt Whiskey
93 points
$97
An amazingly elegant and deeply flavorful Irish Single Malt of the highest order.
Kavalan Concertmaster Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky
93 points
$99
Dried red fruits, nuts, and baking spices abound in this complex and wood spice forward dram that seems almost custom tailored for cigar pairings.
METHOD AND MADNESS Oats And Malt Irish Blended Whiskey
93 points
$110
A spry and distinctively flavorful Irish Whiskey that will be very versatile.
Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky
93 points
$119
Rich leathery nose dovetails into a lovely confected body that is subtle and sweet but not overly so.
Suntory Yamazaki 12 Years Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky
93 points
$180
A superb Japanese Whisky with fine poise and captivating layers of flavor on the long, graceful finish.
Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
93 points
$214
Oak, ripe black fruit and chocolate, and maduro tobacco.
Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
93 points
$469
Barrel forward spice blackened with dried fruit; absolutely delicious with a long spicy cinnamon finish.
Jameson Triple Triple Sherry, Bourbon, and Malaga Cask-Finished Irish Whiskey
92 points
$33
A creamy, generous Irish Whiskey with rich fruit, grain and spice notes that thoroughly satisfy.
Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish Blended Whiskey
92 points
$35
A very tasty, creamy and honeyed Whiskey for all occasions; will make a damn fine Irish coffee.
Powers Three Swallow Release Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
92 points
$53
Barrel forward flavors with sweet grains as a foundation, this should appeal to any drinker of Whiskies.
Green Spot Chateau Montelena Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
92 points
$80
Vanilla cream with spicy and earthy components; an excellent sipper with a spicy characteristic that is a natural pairing for cigars.
Kavalan Distillery Reserve Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
92 points
$89
A densely packed beast of a Whisky with concentrated flavors and a sinewy, full body; uncage the flavors with a little water.
Yellow Spot 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
92 points
$92
Interestingly complex while veering a bit off the well worn path; an Irish Whiskey for sipping with seafood along the Portuguese coastline.
Kavalan Concertmaster Vinho Barrique Finish Single Malt Whisky
92 points
$99
A delicious, spicy, fruity Whisky that is extremely versatile and satisfying.
Kavalan Podium Single Malt Whisky
92 points
$102
A unique mix of ripe tropical fruits and fresh herbs makes this an intriguingly approachable, yet contemplative dram.
METHOD AND MADNESS Rye And Malt Irish Blended Whiskey
92 points
$110
A spunky, grainy dram with a creamy center that will be a nice sipper on the rocks or will elevate cocktails.
The Sassenach Blended Scotch Whisky
92 points
$119
A surprisingly rich and robust, yet delicate, blended Scotch Whisky that delivers a wide range of evolving flavors in a warm package.
Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
92 points
$214
Big and bold, loaded with oak flavors, and layer upon layer of roasted umami.
Jameson 18 Year Old Irish Blended Whiskey
92 points
$226
Classic Irish Whiskey with a little extra depth and verve; great for sipping, shooting, or mixing.
Suntory Toki Blended Japanese Whisky
91 points
$34
Beautiful nose that draws you in with layers of floral and fruity flavors despite the slightly elevated ABV; dare to say this is designed to make a killer High Ball?
Glen Grant 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
91 points
$46
Orchard fruits, sweet grains, and a bit of honey sweetness; the very standard of what it means to be a Speyside Whisky.
Bushmills 10 Year Old Irish Single Malt Whiskey
91 points
$49
A rock solid Irish Single Malt with honey, orchard fruit, and mixed nuts; this is exactly what to expect for very good Irish Malt.
Coachbuilt Blended Scotch Whisky
91 points
$59
A nicely balanced smoky blended Scotch Whisky with a creamy center.
Kavalan Distillery Select No.1 Single Malt Whisky
91 points
$59
Excellent flavors and aromas of a very well executed malt Whisky.
Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky
91 points
$92
Sweet grains, baked red fruits, and black tea; just a really tasty sipper.
Jameson Blended Irish Whiskey
90 points
$28
A soft, creamy Irish blend with attractive fruit and spice notes; a very sessionable Whiskey indeed.
Suntory Ao World Blended Whiskey
90 points
$55
An intriguing and well balanced, lightly smoky Whiskey that will be fun to experiment with in cocktails.
Jameson Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
90 points
$58
A scintillatingly spicy and engaging Single Pot Still Whiskey with ample flavor and a youthful strut.
Brenne Estate Cask Single Malt French Whisky
90 points
$59
Sweet fruit and floral aromas fill the glass and transport you to a pastoral orchard.
Kavalan Concertmaster Port Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky
90 points
$99
Complex but very barrel forward with rich red fruit and nut characteristics.
Black Bull Kyloe Blended Scotch Whisky
89 points
$30
A solid, high octane blended Scotch that will stand out in cocktails.
Powers Rye Whiskey
89 points
$32
An interesting, spicy, rye dominated Whiskey that will be fun to play with in cocktails.
METHOD AND MADNESS Single Grain Irish Whiskey
89 points
$59
An interesting, earthy, grain-forward Whiskey that will play nicely in cocktails.
Ballykeefe Single Malt Irish Whiskey
89 points
$64.99
Very tasty with loads of potential demanding your attention to pick out all of its complexities.
89 points $64.99
Stork House Full Proof Rye Whiskey
89 points
$69
Holds the ABV exceedingly well and does the green and grassy tones of the rye grain with a nice and elegant balance of sweet vanilla from the barrel.
The Globe Proof and Wood 8 Year Old Bourbon and Rum Barrel Finished Rye Whiskey
89 points
$79
Spicy, fruity, and nutty layers of flavor complexity without getting muddled and remaining very approachable despite the elevated ABV.
Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition Irish Blended Whiskey
88 points
$35
A fun, tropical fruit accented Irish Whiskey with well integrated hop notes; will be a blast in cocktails, especially Irish Mules.
McConnell’s 5 Year Aged Irish Blended Whisky
88 points
$35
Nice fruited apple and honied grains on the nose and palate make this a simple, direct, and quintessentially Irish Whiskey.
Jameson Cold Brew Irish Blended Whiskey
88 points
$36
A pleasant coffee flavored Whiskey for shots and such.
The Legendary Red Silkie Spanish Red Wine Cask-Finished Irish Blended Whiskey
88 points
$56
Rich and spicy, this Whiskey will do nicely on the rocks to open up more of the spice aromas and smooth out the touch of heat to the palate.
Ballykeefe Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey
88 points
$64.99
A nice Whiskey with a good future; a solid example of the style.
88 points $64.99
Royal Circle Indian Whisky
87 points
$7
Best Buy
A solid everyday pour with good complexity of grain, floral notes, and barrel characteristics.
87 points $7 Best Buy
The Midnight Silkie Imperial Stout Cask-Finished Blended Irish Single Malt Whiskey
87 points
$52
Rich chocolate and nutty flavors and aromas shine.
Spirit of HVEN Old Hare Blended Swedish Whisky
86 points
$30
Fascinating and complex flavors that make for a rich and interesting nose and palate.
The Molly Malone Small Batch Irish Whiskey
86 points
$39
A pleasantly fruity Irish Whisky that is an easy sipper.
Brenne 10 Year Single Malt French Whisky
86 points
$99
Resonates with the smells of honey, citrus, and an Alpine meadow.
Proper No. Twelve Apple Irish Whiskey
85 points
$25
Autumnal caramel apple candies in your glass; this is a candy shot or cocktail ready to go.
Shortcut: https://www.tastings.com/Calendar-Spirits/Review-2023-07-01-World-Whiskey.aspx