Fall 2022 Editors’ Choice: Dewar’s, Blackened, Elijah Craig

A blended scotch, cask-finished rye, and barrel proof bourbon all scored top marks in the Fall 2022 issue.

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In each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select three whiskies they consider to be the most impressive, based on score, price, and availability. For Fall 2022, our Editors’ Choice selections include a blended scotch, a madeira and rum cask-finished rye, and a barrel proof Kentucky bourbon.

Check out the Buying Guide for a complete list of whiskies reviewed in the Fall 2022 issue.

STANDOUT WHISKIES FROM FALL 2022

Dewar’s 12 year old
93 points, 40%, $30
Now double-aged in first-fill bourbon casks, this is a zinger. Bright aromas of honey, caramel, dried apricot and apple slice, mixed peel, malt, roasted spices, rich vanilla, and an imprint of woodsmoke. Silky-smooth flavors of honey, warm citrus, black pepper, dark chocolate, and a lick of smoke, then vanilla, burnt toffee, black cherry, espresso, soft oak, and a finish of milk chocolate and hazelnut latte. An outstanding blend.—Jonny McCormick

Blackened Double Cask Madeira and Rum Cask Finished
92 points, 45%, $80
Grain-forward on the nose, like a grain barn, with lots of robust spice. Water softens it and brings out notes of candied grape. The clean, smooth palate is balanced with fruit, good depth, and plenty of spice. Water unlocks pleasant bitter chocolate and enhances the rye grain flavors. The finish is superbly long, with more spice, grape jelly, chocolate, and coffee ice cream. The cask finishing works superbly—a real winner.—David Fleming

Elijah Craig 12 year old Barrel Proof (B522)
92 points, 60.5%, $70
The maturity is instantly apparent, with a nose of chocolate cloaked in old oak and antique leather, but also offers red berries and aged herbs at the edges. Plenty of depth on a buttery palate of chocolate, almond, gooey caramel, vanilla ice cream, and ripe banana. On the finish, chocolate, raspberry jam, and espresso bean. This one has aged gracefully, with perfectly tempered sweetness and depth.—David Fleming

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The Fall of Whiskey [Cocktail Recipe]

Cool cider and fresh pear balance out spicy rye in this cocktail, which is meant to capture the transition into Fall.

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Created by Anthony Baker, a freelance cocktail professor, this refreshing drink hints of cooler weather ahead. The fresh pear and apple cider cool the heat of the rye whiskey with wonderful spice notes from the bitters.

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Nothing Com-Pears to You [Cocktail Recipe]

Poached pear is featured twice in this autumnal cocktail, both as a garnish and an essential ingredient.

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Elegant pear adds a velvety texture to this crimson cocktail, created by Summer-Jane Bell, partner at Hello Stranger Bar in Oakland, Calif.. “The aromatic spices and tannin from the wine play well with the cask notes in the whisky,” Bell adds.

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The Affordable Pear Act [Cocktail Recipe]

This riff on the Whiskey Sour uses baking spices and Asian pears to deliver fall flavors and a layer of complexity.

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This silky cocktail was created by Alec Pignotti, beverage manager at Recess in Chicago. It adds an extra layer of complexity to a Whisky Sour, with warm baking spices and Asian pears.

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Wear Your Whiskey With These Jewelry Pieces Made From Bourbon Barrels

From charm bracelets to rings and necklaces, these pieces turn used bourbon barrels into fashionable accesories.

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Bourbon barrels have been used for all kinds of non-whisky items—including tables and chairs, wall clocks, picture frames, and other home décor. But how about jewelry? Bourbon barrel wood can be inlaid into bracelets, rings, necklaces, and charms, or it can stand alone as a finished wood. Whatever the choice, these baubles can enhance memories of a favorite whisky—or a distillery visit that was part of a special vacation trip.

Try on one of these barrel-inspired accessories

Naturaleza Turquoise Mountain Necklace—$120
Handmade and customizable, the pendant is made from a bourbon barrel.

Johan Whiskey Barrel Charm Bracelet—$159
The barrel-wood charm can be purchased separately or with the bracelet.

Wedgewood Rings Black Ceramic—from $395
Choose the whisky barrel inlay—American, scotch, or Japanese—depending on availability.

Casavir Jewelry Oak Barrel Wood Ring—from $734
Choose from Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, or Wild Turkey barrel wood to complete this made-to-order rose gold ring.

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Roll the Dice With These Whisky-Themed Games

From barrel head checkers and bourbon playing cards, whisky is the theme for these at-home games.

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Sipping whisky with friends can be a fun pastime on its own, but why not make a night of it with whisky-themed board games? Bourbon-accented playing cards, a board battle that pits distiller versus distiller, whisky trivia, and a whisky barrel chess set—check out these game night choices.

Whiskey Business—$40
You and your friends are competing whisky distillers. Roll the dice to gather the ingredients and fill your barrels. The first to make four types of whisky wins.

Test your whisky knowledge with The Whiskey Game from Talking Tables.

Bicycle Bourbon Playing Cards—$7
Shuffle a deck of these vintage-looking playing cards with bourbon accents. Made in Kentucky.

The Whisky Game—$37
Correctly answer the whisky trivia questions to collect the different types of whisky to win.

Bourbon Barrel Chess Set—$5,495
The board is a laser-etched barrel head and the pieces are handcrafted from bourbon barrel staves.

Barrel Head Checker Set—$200
The checkers are cut from the staves of barrels; one set from the charred inside and the other from the outside. The playing board is a barrel head.

Sip and Play at These Board Game Bars

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The Western Rim [Cocktail Recipe]

A blackberry-peppercorn shrub combines with prosecco, lemon juice, bourbon, and mint for a crisp and refreshing sip.

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This cocktail was created by Brett Helke, wine and beverage director at Toast and Perro Blanco in Norfolk, Virgina. Every sip of this crisp, peppery drink is refreshing, thanks to the mint in the bottom of the glass.

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My Shrub’Rona [Cocktail Recipe]

This cocktail is summer in a glass thanks to a pineapple-mint shrub and Licor 43, making it approachable even for non-whisky drinkers.

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This drink was created by Amanda Phelps, lead bartender at Frannie & The Fox in Charleston, S.C. “This cocktail is definitely a porch sipper,” Phelps says. “It’s creamy on the mouthfeel, extremely approachable for the non-whisky drinker, and the Licor 43 adds beautiful aromatics and depth to the cocktail.”

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Shōga Koshō [Cocktail Recipe]

The chiles in this drink, which was created by Jason Kosmas, beverage director at Hai Hospitality in Austin bring some heat to a traditional Whisky Ginger.
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The chiles in this drink, which was created by Jason Kosmas, beverage director at Hai Hospitality in Austin bring some heat to a traditional Whisky Ginger.

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Plum and Mr. Rye [Cocktail Recipe]

A zesty twist in a Whiskey Smash, this drink mixes rye whiskey with a plum shrub, lemon juice, and bitters.

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This twist on a Whisky Smash cocktail was created by Carlos Ramos, bar manager at Villa Azur in Miami Beach. Ramos calls it “fresh, zesty, and intriguing.”

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