Ratings - BourbonSphere

Tomintoul Celebrates Robert Fleming’s 30th Anniversary With a Series of Special Single Malts

These celebratory scotch whiskies all scored 92 points or more, though only a select few are available in the U.S.

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Master distiller Robert Fleming celebrated three decades at Tomintoul Distillery in 2020. When Angus Dundee Distillers bought Tomintoul Distillery from Whyte & Mackay in 2000, they insisted that Fleming remain as part of the deal. Fleming personally selected these long-aged whiskies to showcase the character of the gentle spirit in oloroso sherry casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry butts, and a single bourbon barrel. While only the second and third editions were released in the States, the third-edition single cask is exclusive to the U.S. Now in his 32nd year as the custodian of Tomintoul Distillery, Fleming can take great pride in the quality of these special whiskies named in his honor.

Tomintoul 30 year old Robert Fleming 30th Anniversary Collection Reviewed

Tomintoul 30 year old Robert Fleming 30th Anniversary 2nd Edition
93 points, 51.1%, $1,095

After a 1-year finish in a PX sherry butt, this delivers an intense nose of honey, stone fruits, vanilla cream, golden plum, orange, lime peel, white pepper, and sanded oak. The first sip brings pear, apple, citrus, and spice, then after a delay, sweet citrus and peel oils erupt with grapefruit, light toffee, honey, marzipan, gentle mint, pepper, and clove, leaving soothing cinnamon and subtle oakiness to finish. (700 bottles)—Jonny McCormick

Tomintoul 30 year old Robert Fleming 30th Anniversary 3rd Edition
92 points, 52.7%, $1,050

Elegant classic Speyside characteristics from a single bourbon cask; a nose of light summer fruits, green apple, peach, nectarine, oak spices, vanilla sponge, orange cake, and hints of candied lemon and lime. Sweet lemon, lime marmalade, vanilla, and intense wood spice flavors deepen into creamy banana custard, toffee, and seasoned oak, with a complex finish of oak tannins and dry spices. (240 bottles; U.S. exclusive)—Jonny McCormick

Tomintoul 30 year old Robert Fleming 30th Anniversary 1st Edition
92 points, 49.7%, £495

After a final decade in a Spanish oloroso sherry butt, the nose of this starts sweetly, then blossoms with rich fruits, plus vanilla, honey, spun sugar, nutmeg, dried vine fruit, mixed peel, cherry stone, and gingerbread aromas. It has flavors of plum, green apple, orange, treacle sweetness, red berry fruits, peppery spice, cooked peach, walnut, dates, and a lip-smacking finish of cinnamon, Jaffa orange, and Brazil nut.—Jonny McCormick

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Diageo’s Prima & Ultima Series Captures A Moment in the History of Single Malt Scotch

The full set is available for purchase, but U.S. scotch lovers can also obtain four of the individual bottles on their own.

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Master blender Dr. Craig Wilson had the privileged task of selecting the rare casks—the first and last of their kind—for this third release of Diageo’s Prima & Ultima series. Acquiring one of the 317 full sets will set you back £36,500/$43,400, but for the first time, four of the individual bottles from the collection will be released for sale in the U.S. on their own.

Based on the theme of “A Moment in Time,” the collection comprises eight whiskies with a combined maturation of nearly 300 years. It marks the series debut of Royal Lochnagar, and it’s the first collection to feature both Brora and Port Ellen whiskies: That hasn’t happened since the 2017 Diageo Special Releases. To mark this year’s Platinum Jubilee, the Port Ellen was bottled from the last remaining cask filled in 1980, the year Queen Elizabeth II visited Port Ellen maltings on Islay.

The 2022 Prima & Ultima Series Reviewed

Prima & Ultima Port Ellen 41 year old 1980
96 points, 59.6%, £36,500/set

The oldest Port Ellen ever released is a classic: a mind-blowing dry, salty, coastal dram. Dense peat, almost meaty; smokiness abounds, with driftwood, brine, zested lime, greengages, and new chamois leather notes. Satin smooth, with saltiness and sweet citrus, it’s peppery at full strength though it takes water well. Dilutes to honey, barley, and baked lemon notes, developing a thick creaminess before finishing with banana candy, peat smoke, and chocolate. (555 bottles)—Jonny McCormick

Prima & Ultima Brora 40 year old 1981
95 points, 44.1%, £36,500/set

This last Brora release from 1981 has a nose of salty seaweed, toffee, ozone, ripe melon, canned pears, muted vanilla, beeswax candles, and well-integrated peppery smoke. Oily and mouth-drawing, with flavors of crème caramel, treacle, pepper, caramelized apple, and toffee, becoming waxy then velvety, with notes of cassis and dark chocolate. Smoke is a constant presence, while those oils lubricate the throat with dark vanilla and nutty flavors. (354 bottles)—Jonny McCormick

Prima & Ultima Royal Lochnagar 40 year old 1981
94 points, 52.5%, $6,000 (or £36,500/set)

This wraps up a whisky experiment designed to curb the angels’ share. An elegant nose of fresh florals, honeysuckle, linen, fine spices, clotted cream on scones, blossom honey, soft oak, and lemon zest. The balance of sweet fruitiness and Lochnagar’s spiciness is delicious, with flavors of crème caramel, creamy banana, and a final phase of honey, vanilla custard, and white chocolate. This rocks, but gently. (1,047 bottles)—Jonny McCormick

Prima & Ultima The Singleton of Glen Ord 34 year old 1987
94 points,49.4%, $1,200 (or £36,500/set)

The last Glen Ord stock of this vintage has a concentrated, layered nose of lemon bonbons, gooseberry custard, toffee, vanilla, ripe barley, honey, fruit pastilles, and gentle oak. The taste buds are smothered in the confectionary sweetness of lemon meringue pie, butterscotch, honey, creamed coconut, gingernut biscuits, and toffee apple, plus pepper and lively clove. Water adds richness and deeper citrus flavors. Stunning—like a summer’s evening you wish would never end. (1,047 bottles)—Jonny McCormick

Prima & Ultima Lagavulin 28 year old 1993
93 points, 50.1%, $3,000 (or £36,500/set)

Drawn from the last 1993 casks, there are notes of chocolate-covered cherries, crystallized ginger, seasoned oak, woodsmoke, salt and pepper potato chips, and black tea on the nose. Plenty of European oak influence on the palate, with rich toffee, dried vine fruit, praline, robust smoke, pepper, and clove, though water coaxes out brighter cherry jam flavors. Spectacularly good, even if it plays many familiar old Lagavulin tunes. (642 bottles)—Jonny McCormick

Prima & Ultima Talisker 37 year old 1984
93 points, 51.9%, $3,500 (or £36,500/set)

Dry smokiness, salt, pepper, dried chile flakes, seashells, flaky chocolate, and the old oak of empty bourbon barrels baking in the sun. On the palate, sweet concoctions of lemon curd, oranges, and chalky rock candy are bridged by peppery smoke to an oilier phase of nougat, almond, and seasoned oak, ending with creamy chocolate notes. Talisker has released older bottlings, but these are the last of the casks from 1984. (968 bottles)—Jonny McCormick

Prima & Ultima Mannochmore 31 year old 1990
92 points, 45.1%, £36,500/set

Initially matured in refill casks, this unconventional whisky developed rich chestnut hues after nearly three decades in virgin European oak. An intriguing nose of prune juice, sultana, halva, wood spice, After Eight mints, and caramelized sugar. The palate expresses orange marmalade, chocolate-covered Brazil nuts, cocoa, oak spice, black cherry, and black currant mousse to finish: Refrain from adding water. This is exactly what you want from a series like this. (317 bottles)—Jonny McCormick

Prima & Ultima Cragganmore 48 year old 1973
88 points, 44.8%, £36,500/set

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)—Jonny McCormick

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5 Great Irish Whiskeys to Try Now

Sample single pot still or some of Ireland’s inventive finishing techniques with one of these selections from the Fall 2022 Buying Guide.

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While Irish whiskey is celebrated around St. Patrick’s Day each spring, the style is worthy of recognition year-round. Single malt enthusiasts will find Irish examples aplenty, sometimes at considerably lower costs compared to their Scottish counterparts. The curious drinker will have plenty of other avenues to explore, as Irish cask-finishing is often leading the way on the innovation side. And fans of the true Irish style, single pot still, will be delighted by the growing number of expressions on the market.

These five whiskeys from the Fall 2022 Buying Guide are an excellent representation of this diverse category. Mainstays like Redbreast and the Spot range continue to deliver quality and innovation in tandem, while newcomers like Drumshanbo prove worthy of the global spotlight.

Get to Know These High-Scoring Irish Whiskeys

Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition single pot still
93 points, 50.5%, $95
The Irish-American whiskey trend works both ways. This golden dram serves up oak spices and lashings of creamy vanilla at 101 proof, with aromas of butter biscuits, sliced almond, and creamed coconut. Brown sugar, red fruits, and cherry lozenges on first sip, then cinder toffee, Milky Way, forest honey, and warm apple pie, ratcheting up lush vanilla, oakiness, and sweet concentrated fruitiness to finish. Water adds extra creaminess, if that’s possible.—Jonny McCormick

Gold Spot 9 year old single pot still
92 points, 51.4%, $120
Tumbling waves of spice on the nose, with pepper, ginger, cinnamon, and spicy oak, balanced with whole lime, kiwi, apple pie, dried raspberry, and a hint of watermelon. Smooth and easy drinking, with initial flavors of dried mango and papaya, then a surge of pepper and clove. Its finest moments lie beyond the spice peak when the delicious pot still creaminess spills over with vanilla, Brazil nut, hazelnut, cinnamon, and residual tropical fruitiness.—Jonny McCormick

Drumshanbo Galánta single malt 2021 Release
91 points, 46%, $100
The first single malt from Connacht in 107 years is sweet, juicy, and utterly moreish. It has a bouquet of honeycomb, vanilla sponge, lemon meringue pie, amaretti cookies, marzipan, white pepper, and a spritz of lime. Honey, vanilla, custard creams, peel oils, pepper, and waves of sweet lemon ease into baked fruits, ripe apricot, and sponge fingers soaked in orange liqueur. Gentle spice and Refreshers candy on the finish. (8,400 bottles).—Jonny McCormick

Writers’ Tears Cask Strength blend Vintage Release 2022
91 points, 54.6%, $150
Despite the rolling pot still spices at its core, the aromas paint a sweet, fruity, and mellow picture. Dried mango, banana chips, ripe pear, meringue, and heather honey aromas conceal the spicy mayhem to come. Dominant spices surge through the mango and citrus peel flavors on the palate, leaving notes of fennel and cilantro in their wake. The spices carry on, beating the drum throughout the dry finish.—Jonny McCormick

Method & Madness Japanese Chestnut Finish single pot still
90 points, 48%, $95
Dry peppery spice and ample woody notes at the onset, with peppermint aromas building against a background of nuttiness, waxy leaves, and herbal notes. Licorice, orange peel, and ground pepper are overcome by a deluge of clove, bitter herbs, and woodiness, then the creamy mouthfeel erupts amid notes of menthol, clove, and unsweetened chocolate. This is the choice for the accustomed single pot still drinker who prefers Powers to Redbreast.—Jonny McCormick

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10 High Scoring Whiskies From the Fall 2022 Buying Guide

Scoring between 95 and 92 points, these whiskies represent a wide array of styles from straight bourbon to single pot still Irish whiskey.

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The Fall 2022 issue explores the many wonders Scotland has to offer, from gorgeous golf courses to great hotels, and of course, unforgettable whiskies. It should come as no surprise then, that the issue contains reviews of a number of high-scoring single malt scotches. Most notably, we highlight 15 single malts that bear a 30 year age statement, all of which scored between 90 and 96 points. Two of those whiskies, Macallan 30 year old Sherry Oak (2021 Release) and Springbank 30 year old, were named among the issue’s most collectible whiskies reviewed. At 30 years old, all of the bottles included would make for a special toast and treat.

The below list, however, provides a bit more diversity and some great deals, offering something for everyone: cask-strength bourbon, inventive single pot still finishes, peated American single malt, and more. Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut scored 92 points and will set you back just $45. We have similar deals within our Best Values selections, and always designate our favorite whiskies in each issue using the Editors’ Choice tag. Fall is known to be a busy month for whisky makers and drinkers, so scan this list, which features dependable names like Booker’s, The Irishman, Glenfiddich, and more, and dive into the full Fall 2022 Buying Guide, which has over 130 whiskies rated and reviewed, to find your next dram.

Great Whiskies From the Fall 2022 Issue

Macallan 30 year old Double Cask single malt scotch (2021 Release)
95 points, 43%, $4,250
Sherry-seasoned American and European oak casks produce a layered, complex whisky with notes of honeycomb, satsuma, vanilla, dried lavender, macadamia nut, white-fleshed apples, nectarine, and apricot juice. The qualities of the American oak make for a delightful whisky of honeyed citrus, nutty creaminess, and red apple, becoming more oily in texture, with spicy citrus peel, vanilla sponge, creamy oak, apricot, toffee, and a long, dry finish.—Jonny McCormick

Balvenie Rare Marriages 30 year old single malt scotch
94 points, 44.2%, $2,400
Needs time to open up, but the nose of this superb whisky reveals cocoa powder, heather honey, milk chocolate, dark berries, dried orange, toasted sourdough, and a growing presence of oak spices. Indulgent flavors of plum, date, dried fig, dark chocolate, and mocha, then black grape, milk chocolate, charred oak, Brazil nut, and nutmeg. The finish is mellow, with dry spices, nuts, and chocolate.—Jonny McCormick

Glenfiddich 30 year old single malt scotch
94 points, 43%, $700
Matured in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, this is intensely fruity, with attractive oak characteristics, apple pastries, honey, malt, pressed flowers, dried fruits, fresh pear, vanilla, and polished oak. Exceptionally smooth with balletic grace on the tongue, offering flavors of honey, sweet vanilla, tangy citrus, baked apples, creamy poached pear, and gentle cask spices. Vanilla pudding, malt, and hints of coffee and clove appear on the finish.—Jonny McCormick

The Irishman Cask Strength blend 2022 Vintage Release
94 points, 54.9%, $140
Complex, intense, and full-bodied with toffee, green apple, ripening plum, aromatic spices, nutmeg, and peppercorn. The 14th consecutive release in this long-running series is one of their best-ever whiskeys, delivering delicious flavors of toffee apple, malt, chocolate, vanilla pod, and spice, yielding to concentrated fruitiness with baked orange, mango, candied pineapple, and a lengthy finish of dried and tropical fruits.—Jonny McCormick

Kilkerran 12 year old single malt scotch
93 points, 46%, $110
This delivers a highly distinctive combination of fruity, savory, and spicy aromas: damson, cherry, aromatic smoke, and pastrami, with increasing peatiness, backed up by cake mix, dried peel, pink peppercorn, nutmeg, and licorice. The mouthfeel changes gears from sweet to oily, beginning with orange peel, lime, watermelon, lemon curd, toffee, and sherbet, then pivots to peat smoke, orange fondant, red apple, ginger- bread, and peppery base notes.—Jonny McCormick

Booker’s “Ronnie’s Batch 2022-01” straight bourbon
93 points, 62.15%, $90
Richly herbal on the nose, with dark fruits, subtle notes of cooked meat and barbecue, sweet pickles, hints of cinnamon, and vanilla cream. Very creamy on the palate, well-spiced, with more meaty flavors, cinnamon stick, and chocolate ball. A lot of depth of flavor here, and the texture is creamy despite the heft. A great spice bomb with an explosive finish full of more cinnamon spice, cooked fruit, and chocolate sweetness.—David Fleming

Method & Madness Japanese Cedarwood Finish single pot still
93 points, 48%, $95
Delivering a unique flavor profile, this opens with delicate, ethereal notes of sweet lychee, grapefruit, white florals, and tangerine that float atop aromatic spice, paprika heat, tree bark, antique books, and balsa wood. The flavors encompass golden syrup, caraway, and sesame bars, with pepperiness wrapped around the base of the tongue, transitioning to smooth creamy vanilla, toffee, and orange peel, with dried apricot, strong green tea, and lingering clove.—Jonny McCormick

Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut straight bourbon
92 points, 58.75%, $45
Vanilla wafers and fresh marshmallows on the nose, with bake shop notes of fresh pastry. The palate is spicy and rich, with flavors of chocolate fudge, coffee, black pepper, and cooked red fruits. Water brings out more chocolate and spice. Very well-balanced and appealing. The well-textured and smooth finish offers notes of chocolate, mellow almond, and milk chocolate. It’s a big one and ice is recommended, but the quality is there.—David Fleming

Manatawny Double Peated American single malt (Batch 24)
92 points, 47%, $75
A rustic and smoky nose delivers dried herbs, cocoa powder, salted peanuts, citrus, licorice, and wax. Where the nose draws you in, the palate keeps your attention with a beautiful creamy texture and notes of oyster brine, anise, peppercorns, candied orange, chocolate, and green olives. A lengthy finish completes the experience, with woodsmoke, mocha, and salted caramel. Somewhat irregular in profile, with undeniable balance, nuance, and intrigue. (400 bottles)—Ted Simmons

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Fall 2022 Best Values: Tullibardine, Jack Daniel’s, McConnell’s

Sherry-finished whiskies from Scotland and Ireland and a bottled in bond Tennessee whiskey all earned high marks at affordable prices.

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In each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select three great value bottles: whiskies with solid scores, modest prices, and wide availability. For the Fall 2022 issue, a sherry-finished single malt scotch, a bottled in bond Tennessee whiskey, and sherry-finished Irish whiskey all ranked as Best Values.

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

HIGH SCORES, LOW PRICES: BEST VALUE WHISKIES

Tullibardine 500 Sherry Cask Finish
91 points, 43%, $40
The sherry cask influence is apparent, and to great effect. The alluring nose is a symphony of raisins, Fig Newtons, quince paste, white peach, and dried pineapple. More fruit follows on the palate, which is delicate despite being heavy on fruit leather flavors. A touch of honey and a zip of lemon peel add even
more dimension. The lengthy finish is fruity, with delightful wood spice at the tail end. (7,800 bottles)—Julia Higgins

Jack Daniel’s Bonded
90 points, 50%, $35
Fruity and fresh, there’s a whole lot to parse out on the nose, starting with citrus zest, Asian pear, cantaloupe, and banana peel. A drizzle of honey is a precursor to a palate that beautifully balances sweet with spice; fruit gummies and strawberry frosting mingle with black pepper and library books. The mid-length finish delivers much of the same, with pronounced notes of fruit syrup.—Julia Higgins

McConnell’s 5 year old Sherry Cask Finish
90 points, 46%, $45
McConnell’s aims to restore distilling to Belfast one day, and this second release helps to support the cause. There’s red grape, cherry, black currant, red apple, fig, aniseed, fresh mint, and herbal aromas. Though the texture on the initial sip feels light, it fills out nicely as it works up impressive sherry notes, whipping up the spices and showing off raisin, bramble, black cherry, clove, and ginger spices. (12,000 bottles)—Jonny McCormick

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Fall 2022 Collectibles: Macallan, Springbank, Method & Madness

Two 30 year old single malt scotches and a 33 year old single pot still Irish whiskey stand out for their collectability.

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In every issue of Whisky Advocate, we identify three whiskies that are generally limited releases and show the most potential to gain value. For Fall 2022, the top choices came from Scotland and Ireland and were all aged for at least 30 years.

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

TOP COLLECTIBLE WHISKIES TO TARGET

Macallan 30 year old Sherry Oak (2021 Release)
96 points, 43%, $4,750

Dried vine fruit, black cherry, rich sherry, candied lemon, toasted oak, and active clove spices demonstrate a sublime balance between the spice and sherry fruit from the oloroso seasoned Spanish oak. It’s oily, mouth-coating, and richly satisfying, with deep reserves of sherry character, citrus peel, honey, chocolate, seasoned oak, creamy nougat, and a lengthy finish of dried fruit and toasted oak. A consummate Speyside whisky.—Jonny McCormick

Springbank 30 year old
96 points, 46%, $2,600

Bold, aromatic, and enticing, with notes of golden pear, vanilla, crystalized honey, and characteristic salinity, followed by earthy aromas of aniseed balls, warm pancakes, snuffed church candles, and salted nuts. Thick-textured, salty, and fruity, with vanilla essence, golden fruits, apple, melon, toffee, peppercorn, clove, star anise, cacao, baked fruits, apple, and a salty smack on the lips. The exquisite finish is sweet, salty, intensely rich, and slightly tannic.—Jonny McCormick

Method & Madness 33 year old Mizunara Oak Cask Finish
94 points, 52.8%, $3,000

This really casts a spell with its aromas of baked pastry, vanilla, mizunara oak, rich toffee, dried fruits, millionaire’s shortbread, worn leather, and crisp pot still spices. It starts with soft citrus peel, grated nutmeg over frothy cappuccino, caramel, and vanilla pudding, the rich sweetness in harmony with the spices. An astonishing creaminess brings it home with notes of banana, green apple, and satsuma, with fruit pastilles on the finish.—Jonny McCormick

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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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Six 100 Proof American Whiskeys To Try Now

These 100 proof whiskeys deliver high quality at a higher, yet approachable, ABV.

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As whiskeys rise in proof, they often pack additional complexity and flavor. Thus 100 proof whiskeys are a great start for getting into those whiskeys with higher alcohol by volume (ABV); they usually reveal greater depth when a splash of water or an ice cube is added, but can also be comfortably enjoyed neat.

An ABV of 50% can also be indicative of another distinction: bottled in bond whiskey. First established by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, bottled in bond whiskeys have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, and are set apart from the pack due to specific guidelines. By rule, these whiskeys must be distilled by a single distiller in a single season, aged for a minimum of 4 years in a federally bonded warehouse, and, of course, bottled at 50% ABV. Our Summer 2022 Buying Guide offers up a number of high-ranking 100 proof whiskeys—explore them all below.

These 100 Proof Whiskeys Are Foolproof

Old Fitzgerald 17 year old Bottled in Bond Bourbon (Spring 2022 Edition)
91 points, 50% ABV, $185

Slow to rise on the nose, offering cedar and dried herbs, but then brightening to aromas of lemon honey, lemon tea, and vanilla as it blossoms into fresh floral beauty. The palate is rich, honeyed, and dessert-like with flavors of caramel, milk chocolate-covered cherries, and a hint of coconut. Excellent length on a finish that melds chocolate with raspberry coulis, balanced against mature oak, espresso, and lingering herbs and spice.—David Fleming

Abraham Bowman Virginia Limited Edition Rum Finished Bourbon
90 points, 50% ABV, $70

Somewhat aggressive on the nose at first, throwing off aromas of bitter citrus, dried strawberries, and a touch of old leather. The palate offers lemon, strawberry jam, and dark chocolate spiced with black pepper, while water brings out balanced sweetness and more jammy strawberry and raspberry notes, along with hints of vanilla cream and cinnamon spice. The finish is slightly taut, but offers hints of vanilla sweetness and spice. Well-textured and well-balanced overall.—David Fleming

Sagamore Spirit 4 year old Bottled in Bond Rye
89 points, 50% ABV, $60

Sweet vanilla and rye grain aromas that have mellowed with age, along with grape jam, tea, and licorice root. The palate has depth and is artfully spiced, offering dark chocolate, baked red fruits, and black pepper. Water brings out vanilla bean, black licorice, root beer, mince pie, and lots of balanced spice. The finish is lively and has excellent length, ending with bright red fruit, rye grain, chocolate, and a delicious peppery bang.—David Fleming

Kentucky Owl The Wiseman Bourbon (St. Patrick’s Edition)
89 points, 50% ABV, $135

Straight bourbons aged 4 to 11 years, blended together with fruit-forward Irish whiskey flavors in mind. Golden Grahams, brown sugar, oatmeal, and grape jelly on an English muffin: a complete breakfast on the nose. A nice fruitiness carries over to the palate, where a creamy texture showcases caramel and blueberries. The finish shows good length and sweet wheat flavors. Water brings some simplicity and a corn-forward profile.—Ted Simmons

Cascade Moon 13 year old Rye
88 points, 50% ABV, $300

Butterscotch hard candies, Bit-O-Honey, and sweet marshmallow appear on the nose, which is surprisingly delicate despite showing obvious alcohol. The palate offers warm cereal sprinkled with brown sugar, plus vanilla, toffee, and spice, before a finish of earthy and leathery oak with notes of dark cocoa and peanut skins. Distilled at MGP in Indiana and released by Tennessee’s Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.—Jeffery Lindenmuth

High Bank Whiskey War Double Oaked Blend of Straight Whiskeys
87 points, 50% ABV, $65

Rich chocolate and (mostly) red fruit are all rolled up here, as a dollop of cocoa powder greets the nose and is swiftly overtaken by nearly ripe raspberries, raspberry cobbler, raspberry coulis, and the faintest hint of licorice. On the palate, more berries—raspberry jam, strawberry buttercream—along with a zip of lemon juice, vanilla extract, and hot cinnamon spice. More cocoa and dark chocolate on the finish, with a slight tang of tart red berries in tow.—Julia Higgins

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6 Cask Strength Whiskies to Try Now

Ranging in style and age, these high proof whiskies scored favorably in the Summer 2022 Buying Guide.

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Your natural impulse come summertime may be to grab a low-proof whisky and you wouldn’t be alone. The typically low ABV of blended scotch in particular makes for great summertime sipping, approachable on its own, or in a cold, refreshing cocktail like the Penicillin. If you are imbibing in the summer sun, it is always wise to pace yourself, and low ABV whiskies will help you do just that.

But there is something appealing about a cask strength pour in the summer months as well—letting the heat in your glass match the heat outside. High-proof whiskies can handle a nice large ice cube, as the whisky slowly dilutes and flavors begin to change. If you are the type to grab something high proof no matter the season, these cask strength whiskies all scored between 88 and 92 points in our Summer 2022 Buying Guide. Some underwent inventive cask finishes, while others are age stated single barrels. They all pack a serious punch though, ranging from 55.4% to 65.41% ABV.

Embrace the Summer Heat With These High Proof Whiskies

MacNair’s Lum Reek 10 year old Cask Strength (Batch 1)
92 points, 55.4%, $100

No half measures from the Islay whisky components on this one. Toffee, brownies, vanilla essence, and chocolate-dipped orange slices infused with aromas of heathery peat smoke and antiseptic bandages, plus plum, pencil shavings, and cinnamon. Dark chocolate, baked orange, and damsons followed by a peak of clove, pepper, and gentle smoke, backed by ginger loaf, sticky toffee pudding, and licorice. Could be the best hundred bucks you’ll ever spend. (600 bottles for the U.S.)—Jonny McCormick

Lucky Seven 6 year old The Proprietor Single Barrel
91 points, 60.4%, $85

Nutty and spiced on the nose, with salted peanuts, apple cider, tart pears, and lemon juice. Water brings out caramel-covered pralines, peanut-butter crackers, and Apple Jacks. The palate is fiery, with more cider notes and baking spice. Water makes it more palatable but less dynamic; flavors turning to wax and wood. A big flash of spice highlights the finish along with lemon zest. Brace for heat or add water sparingly.—Ted Simmons

Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition
91 points, 59.2%, $150

Made from a special selection of barrels chosen by master blender Victoria Eady Butler. The nose is fruity and sweet with candy apples, raspberry danish, and iced lemon pound cake. Water brings out dried leaves and chocolate brownies. There’s more sweetness on the palate in the form of raspberry lemonade as well as a subtle tartness. Those qualities carry over to the finish. Well-made, with tasty concentrated flavors throughout.—Ted Simmons

Catoctin Creek Roundstone Cask Strength Hickory Syrup Barrel Finished
90 points, 60%, $90

The nose up front conveys a certain austerity, like dusty antique furniture, with notes of grape Kool-Aid, honey cake, and vanilla icing emerging over time. With water, Golden Grahams and citronella candles emerge. The palate is honeyed and hot, with honey-roasted peanuts overtop a chewy and viscous texture. The finish shows great length and viscosity; a lip-smacking finale. There’s a lot of wood and heat here, but a warming honeyed sweetness as well. (240 bottles)—Ted Simmons

Hard Truth Sweet Mash Barrel Strength
89 points, 57.6%, $70

An ode to dessert, this is a deluge of decadent flavors: pie crust, apple pie, baked apples, cinnamon sugar, and banana bread waft up from the glass, all joined by the faintest hint of pickle juice. Such indulgence carries on to the palate, where there’s French toast dusted with powdered sugar, balanced by a nice kick of cinnamon spice. The finish, led by pickles and pumpernickel, sizzles at first, but subsides sweetly into softer flavors. (66,000 bottles)—Julia Higgins

Barrell 16 year old Grey Label Seagrass
88 points, 65.41%, $250

Several countries play a role in this whisky, which is distilled in Canada, finished in a mix of Martinique rum, madeira, and apricot brandy casks, and bottled in Kentucky after aging in both Canada and the U.S. It’s pale in color, with a mild fruity aroma. It’s spicy and a bit hot on the palate, with an herbaceous bitterness and a rooty character that is overly earthy, with a persistent tangy citrus note.—David Savona

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6 American Single Malt Whiskeys to Try Now

These bottles, all reviewed in the Summer 2022 issue, highlight the diversity within American single malts.

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American single malt can sometimes be difficult to describe, taste-wise, even if the rules are clear—made in the U.S., like bourbon and rye, but from a mashbill of malted barley, like scotch and other single malts from around the globe. With no regulations regarding the type of barrel used, some distillers turn to charred new oak, making a whiskey more in line with bourbon and rye, while others rely on used oak, in the style of most scotch producers.

No matter your preference, American single malts appeal to most whisky lovers. Our Summer 2022 issue looks at the current state of American single malt, which has come a long way since we first examined the efforts to define it two years ago. Whiskey makers across the country are offering their unique takes on this burgeoning style, with some choosing to use peat or other smoke types, others focusing on cask finishing, and a separate group exploring barley varietals. These whiskeys all scored 88 points or more, with McCarthy’s among the highest-scoring entries in this issue’s Buying Guide. Pick one up and find the American single malt that best suits you.

Discover the Variety Within American Single Malt

McCarthy’s 6 year old (Batch MC6-21-01)
92 points, 50%, $100

With a smoky nose reminiscent of a campfire, this velvety whiskey opens up in the glass and presents like a sumptuous barbecue, complete with charcoal smoke and long-cooked meats. It’s extremely flavorful, a 6 year old Oregon single malt from a distiller whose main release is a 3 year old. It is lively and fun, chewy, spicy, and smoky with a touch of mint; water brings in some sweetness that only makes it better.—David Savona

Stranahan’s 10 year old Mountain Angel
90 points, 47.3%, $130

Hints of fragrant mountain pine, sweet lemon, vanilla cream, and spiced toasty oak on an exhilarating nose. Boldly inviting on the palate, with a mouth-coating mélange of vanilla, hints of cherry sorbet, candied raspberries, and coconut shavings, set against bitter chocolate and licorice, all spiced with jalapeño pepper. A finish perhaps not as bold as the palate, but offering tasty notes of coconut, red fruit, and spice. Elegant rusticity in this superbly balanced, individualistic dram. (600 bottles)—David Fleming

Golden Moon Triple Irish-Style
89 points, 46%, $69

Triple distilled from 100% malted barley and aged in new American oak. The nose shows clear malt and wood influence, notes of malted milk balls, Popsicle stick, green banana, and vanilla ice cream in a sugar cone. There’s more wood on the palate, which shows a zippier sense of spice, a creamy texture, and a palatable amount of heat. A mouth-coating finish rounds it out nicely. An unusual style but highly sippable. (1,000 bottles)—Ted Simmons

Downslope
89 points, 40%, $65

An expressive nose delivers bosc pears, melon rind, banana taffy, vanilla extract, and, with water added, Milano cookies: mint and dark chocolate. The palate is silky and light with chocolate cookie, subtle spice, Chewy chocolate-chip granola bar, and more minty dark chocolate. The finish brings back the green melon and spice. There’s dynamic and nuanced flavor here, but the low proof means adding water stretches an already thin palate.—Ted Simmons

Hillrock Estate 5 year old Sherry Cask Finished (High Meadow No. 4)
89 points, 48.2%, $110

Caramel corn, caramel apple, apple crisp, Honey Nut Cheerios, cinnamon babka, and brown sugar cinnamon Pop Tart fill the nose. Rich and velvety, the palate is redolent with hot chocolate, toasted almonds, slightly burnt toast, and ripe raspberries. There’s quite a bit of heat, too; Red Hots and red chiles create a mouth-watering experience. More of that heat and a playful rush of orange zest take center stage on the finish.—Julia Higgins

Greenbar Slow Hand
88 points, 42%, $55

Matured on white oak, hickory, maple, mulberry, red oak, and grape wood. Iced lemon pound cake, raspberry and cheese danish, strawberry shortcake, and cherry pie filling on the nose. Those fruity notes turn herbal when water is added. There’s a nice creamy texture on the palate but a slightly soapy note in addition to bitter oak and dried herbs. The finish showcases more herbal qualities and moderate length. (5,000 bottles)—Ted Simmons

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