Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are a bit heady at first but this is calmed considerably by adding a splash of water. It's bold and spicy with black pepper and clove while at its core its pure Glenfarclas with scents of baked orchard fruits, toffee, and rich Sherry. The palate echoes the nose with waves of fruit, brown baking spices, roasted nuts, Sherry, and oak with a trailing smoky note that lingers for minutes. This is a big and bold Whisky with incredible warming powers while never being awkward or out of balance. $89.99 – 4.5 Stars
Mortlach Rare Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is classic Mortlach with loads of fruit ranging from dried red and black berries to baked peach and apple with hints of toasted nuts, brown baking spices, and butterscotch. The palate is in full agreement with the nose focused on fruit with a rising spicy note that veers from black pepper to candied ginger with a sweet, oak-centric finish. Medium-bodied with a round, fruity core and a generous spice notes with ideal balance. $129.99 – 4 Stars
anCnoc 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose offers gorgeous scents of honey, butterscotch, toasted grain, roasted almonds, and sweet malt with hints of citrus and smoke. The palate is the natural extension of the aromatics delivering a rich but vibrant malt-driven core with waves of sweet grains, honey, and citrus. Medium-bodied with generous malt and vibrant citrus and spice notes that give this Whisky perfect balance. $39.99 – 4 Stars
Speyburn 10 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is really quite beautiful with scents of honey-soaked toasted malt and cereal, citrus zest, sweet and dry herbs, with hints of vanilla bean, basil, dried flowers, and oak. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a silky and fruity core with layers of honey, grain, and earth leading to a delicate floral finish. Medium-bodied (on the lighter side of medium) with bright, vibrant flavors and perfect balance. $24.99 – 4 Stars
Collingwood Toasted Stave Finished Canadian Blended Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is vibrant and rich with an essence of spicy grain Whisky with accents of caramel, vanilla, maple, and cinnamon biscuits. The palate echoes the nose delivering a spicy grain core with soft, delicate flavors of butterscotch, toasted almonds, candied ginger, treacle, and maple fudge. Ideally balanced with soft, trailing flavors that finish with a touch of spice and sweet wood. $28.99 – 4 Stars
Buchanan's De Luxe 12 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is bright and wonderfully complex with honey-anointed ripe apples and peach with accents of orange peel, candied ginger, and nutmeg with hints of sweet smoke and saddle leather. Rich and creamy with the honey theme continuing being foiled by vibrant notes of spice and citrus zest taking the silky core to a zesty finish. Medium-bodied with generous fruit and honey notes that never get too sweet with a bright blast of spice to add refreshment. $31 – 4 Stars
Buchanan's Master Blended Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is rich while being sweet and spicy as well. Notes of caramel-soaked toasted grains leap from the glass supported by dark chocolate, orange peel, lavender, and baked apple with hints of pine cone. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering lush and round core that ideally marries fruit, honey, spice, and oak with accents of cocoa nibs. Medium to full-bodied having more weight than the De Luxe while still maintaining a clever balance. $50 – 4.5 Stars
Booker's Batch 2015-06 6 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is filled with rich, caramel soaked grain with supporting notes of dried red fruits, vanilla, allspice, clove, nutmeg, and charred oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose as it delivers a rich and spicy fruit and grain core with loads of spices ranging fiery black and white pepper to brown baking spices and vanilla bean. Very intense with no punches pulled as this delivers dense and assertive flavors of grain, wood, and spice. $60 – 4.5 Stars
Ventura Limoncello
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is filled with the vibrant scents of freshly juiced lemons with a healthy dose of fresh lemon zest and lemon drop candy. The palate echoes the nose delivering rich and concentrated lemon flavors with a bigger dose of peppery lemon zest that veers towards white pepper that builds on the finish. This is definitely on the intense end of scale for Limoncello as the tart and pepper zest notes are not entirely enveloped in sugar. $28 – 4 Stars
Ventura Orangecello
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are so pure and forward offering bright scents of candied, sliced blood orange with accents of mandarin orange and red grapefruit. The palate is in full agreement with the nose, rich and concentrated orange flavors that focus on the juice and pulp with a vibrant dose of zest that add an edge and keep it fresh. It's a big mouthful of orange with waves of sweet juice and zesty peel. $28 – 4.5 Stars
