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The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | The name of this whisky has nothing to do with coffee—rather, it's named for a type of still invented by Aneas Coffey, which is used to make this golden spirit. It offers mild vanilla-pear aromatics and is relatively light and silky on the palate. Look for a light vanilla sweetness at first, which gives way to a rounded dark chocolate note and baking spice finish. Recommended for highballs and other mixed drinks. 

Producer Description 

Coffey Malt is made from 100% malted barley. However it is not categorized as “malt whisky” but as “grain whisky” since it is not distilled in a pot still. This unique production method results in extraordinary flavors and texture. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky is a unique and celebrated expression from Japan that defies traditional Scotch-style categorizations. While it is made from 100% malted barley, it is classified simply as "Whisky" (rather than Single Malt) because it is distilled in a Coffey still (a traditional column still) rather than a pot still.

Producer Description 

Taste the character and craft in every drop of Cragganmore 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Made with malted barley, the combination of sweet floral fragrances and vanilla proceeds into the strong taste of sandalwood and sweet wood smoke for a long, malt-driven finish.

Cragganmore Scotch can count barley and Scotland’s fastest flowing river as two of its natural influences in the creation of its definitive and award-winning medium weight malt. Serve on the rocks in a tumbler or tulip glass to concentrate its flavor. Includes one 80 proof 750 mL bottle of Cragganmore 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Cragganmore takes its name from the mountain in whose shadow the distillery sits.

This is a whisky with many high peaks and hidden valleys of flavor. Founded by Speyside legend Big John Smith, Cragganmore was created using a pioneering flat-top pot still design to create the sweetest, most complex of malt whiskies. 

Expesrt Review

95 Points Wine Enthusiast | The succulent aroma develops with aeration in the sweet forms of barley, cream, light caramel, and a trace of tropical fruit. Palate entry is round, borderline plump, breakfast-cereal sweet, and honeyed; at midpalate, there's a slightly oily peat smoke. Sweetly concludes with the focus on the malt. Best Buy. Range: 90-95.

Producer Description 

Presented in a ceramic decanter, this expression was crafted by Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion using American and European first-fill sherry seasoned casks with the addition of a few refill casks.

Seasoned European oak casks to deliver warm, spicy notes and sherry seasoned American oak casks to provide a balance of sweet vanilla. Expertly adding just a few refill casks to soften and smooth the flavours. 

Producer Description 

The Dalmore Port Wood Reserve starts its journey in the finest American white oak ex-bourbon casks. The precious liquid is then split equally with half of the whisky remaining in the American white oak and the remainder transferred to aged Tawny Port pipes from W & J Graham’s vineyard in Portugal. They are then married back together to harmonize the flavors before bottling. Purposefully retained at 46.5% ABV to complement the enticing warm flavors of the Port and the classic taste of The Dalmore creating a whisky which is indulgent, smooth and complex.

Aromas of sweet red berries, Seville oranges, plummy fruits and sticky toffee pudding. Nectarines, creamy caramel, roasted chestnuts and Java coffee on the palate. Finishing notes of rich plums, sultanas, Sanguinello blood oranges and macerated cherries.

Jack Daniel Distillery · Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey · Black Label · Lynchburg, Tennessee

Since 1866, Jack Daniel's has been made the same way in Lynchburg, Tennessee — a town of fewer than 7,000 people that somehow produces one of the world's most recognized spirits. The secret is the Lincoln County Process: before aging, every drop of Jack is slowly filtered through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal, mellowing the whiskey in a way that no other American distillery replicates at this scale. It's what separates Tennessee Whiskey from bourbon — and what gives Old No. 7 its unmistakable smoothness. Handcrafted barrels, cave spring water drawn from the hollow below the distillery, and a tasting panel that decides when — not the calendar — when the whiskey is ready. That's the Jack Daniel's way, unchanged for over 150 years.

Old No. 7 pours a warm amber with a nose of vanilla, toasted oak, and a hint of banana. On the palate: smooth and approachable with caramel, brown sugar, and a touch of rye spice, finishing with a gentle warmth and that signature charcoal-mellowed softness. Sip it neat, on the rocks, or as the backbone of a classic Jack & Coke or Lynchburg Lemonade. At 80 proof and $29.92, it's the benchmark Tennessee Whiskey — and one of the best values in American spirits.

• Producer: Jack Daniel Distillery (est. 1866)
• Style: Tennessee Whiskey (Lincoln County Process)
• Origin: Lynchburg, Moore County, Tennessee, USA
• ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
• Process: Charcoal mellowed through 10 ft of sugar maple charcoal · Aged in handcrafted new charred oak barrels · Cave spring water
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Vanilla, toasted oak, caramel, brown sugar, rye spice, smooth charcoal-mellowed finish
• Serve: Neat · On the rocks · Jack & Coke · Lynchburg Lemonade · Old Fashioned

150+ years of the same recipe, the same hollow, the same charcoal — the original Tennessee Sippin' Whiskey.

Producer Description 

Van Winkle's magnum opus. A rye whiskey that masquerades as a bourbon, and one of the most awe-inspiring whiskeys to ever come out of Kentucky. Enigmatic and highly sought-after, expect a sumptuously smooth mouthfeel, rolling with outstanding and captivating flavors that blur the lines between rye and bourbon and leave you wondering and wanting more. 

On the nose, classic notes of vanilla, caramel, cinnamon and spice prevail, before a silky, alkaline mouthfeel comes to the fore with rye spice, cinnamon, ground black pepper and smooth caramel notes, before a buttery finish that brings subtle spice, toffee and oak. While it may not hold the same stature as its "Pappy" counterparts, the 13 Year Old Family Reserve Rye from van Winkle is perhaps the most important whiskey in their portfolio. 

94 Points  Whisky Advocate | Number 1 in the 2018 Top 20. Notably balanced and elegant, the colorful palette of whiskies combines for tremendous depth of flavor. Soft, sweet butterscotch and orange peel meet poached pears and stone fruits. Earthiness appears as dried autumn leaves, coffee, old oak, and tobacco. Among the tangle of spices, tasters identified chili pepper, allspice, cloves, and universally adored its ginger note. Finally, wisps of smoke and sea salt. Overall, it feels generously malty, with the grain whisky lending broad sweetness and supple mouthfeel across the long finish. Beyond its delightful flavors, Nikka From the Barrel presents some paradoxes worthy of contemplation over a glass. It is a classic, yet new to the U.S. It is typically Japanese, yet singularly magnificent. It is delightful sipped neat and also blossoms with water. Even the simple, squat bottle is in contrast to the profound complexity within. (Fortunately, the 500 ml bottle offered in other markets received a supersizing for U.S. drinkers.) The great majority of new Japanese whiskies now arriving to our shores are so rare and so expensive that they seem intended only for elite whisky lovers. Nikka From the Barrel is a consummate Japanese blend for anyone to enjoy. - Winter 2018

91 Points Beverage Tasting Institute | Dark amber color. Aromas of cinnamon pastry, pickled ginger, sourdough, honey, and raisins with a silky, crisp, fruity medium body and a tingling, compelling, medium-length crepes, dulce de leche, butter-poached pear, and toasted spice cake finish. A rich and toasty Japanese blended whisky that offers big character that will stand up in craft cocktails.

Nikka From The Barrel, according to those behind it, was first introduced into Japan back in 1986, and is considered a coveted expression for travelers to bring back from its homeland. It is a Japanese blended whisky, bringing together a very complex mix of more than 100 different batches of malt whisky and grain whisky produced at Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, and aged in multiple types of casks: ex-bourbon barrels and puncheons, ex-sherry butts, and refilled, recharred and remade hogsheads. While non-age statement in nature, importer Hotaling & Co. did note the blend undergoes three to six months of additional aging at Nikka’s aging cellar to help in the marriage of flavors. Producer Description.

Producer Description 

Aromas of prune brandy, bakery shop, honey, nuts, dried strawberry and dried orange peel. The palate is smooth, silky, pretty with good complexity. D&M Tasting Notes
Second Maturation in port barrels

Our malt mill, glistening copper mash tun and traditional wooden washbacks form part of a vigorous but carefully attended process. Our elegant copper pot stills distil and re-distil the richest spirit which is then filled into the finest casks and left patiently maturing in our warehouses. Nearly 70% of the flavour in whisky is derived from the cask it has been matured in. Wood’s important, which is why we adopt a ‘no compromise’ approach when choosing our world renowned sherry casks to enrich our whisky. Over the years of extended maturation, these carefully seasoned casks help create the unique richly sherried style that The GlenDronach is famous for.

Tis was just the season for fruit cake, boxes of citrus deliveries, and gift boxes filled with dried fruits and chocolates. To keep the flavor theme going, you can chase down a bottle of The GlenDronach Port Wood. The rich fruity notes and well-timed heat of this single malt delivers the Highland experience, taking you on a journey across the ocean, away from the land of whiskey, to the land of whisky. The Whiskey Wash

It was initially “matured in the distillery’s signature Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, followed by a second maturation in some of the finest port pipes from the majestic Douro Valley in Portugal.” Non age statement. 

Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old — The Gentle Spirit of the Highlands

Nestled in the Cairngorm Mountains at one of Scotland’s highest and most remote distilleries, Dalwhinnie produces whisky shaped by its environment — cold, clean air, pure Highland water, and the slow patience of time. The 15 Year Old is the distillery’s signature expression, and a benchmark for approachable Highland single malt.

The nose opens with heather honey, sweet peat smoke, and a delicate waft of beeswax — complex yet inviting. On the palate, flavors of warm honey, soft vanilla, and a whisper of citrus fruit unfold with a gentle smokiness that lingers into a long, smooth finish.

• Distillery: Dalwhinnie, Scottish Highlands
• Age: 15 Years
• Size: 750ml
• ABV: 43%
• Tasting Notes: Heather honey, sweet peat smoke, beeswax, vanilla, citrus
• Style: Light, elegant Highland single malt

Best enjoyed neat or with a small drop of water to open up the aromatics. An ideal introduction to Highland Scotch — and a bottle that rewards every return visit.

Producer Description 

Quinta Ruban 14 year has spent 10 years maturing in American white oak casks, before being transferred into specially selected ruby port pipes from the Quintas or wine estates of Portugal.

Expert Review

Whisky Advocate 92 Points | This Quinta Ruban succeeds the 12 year old version, adding two additional years of finishing in port casks, while maintaining the same bargain price. The result is a symphony of understated opulence. Marzipan, fresh apple and pear, milk chocolate, red berries, candied ginger, and praline on the nose build slowly, leading into a fruity, spiced palate. Flavors of soft gingerbread, molasses cake, cherry pie, spiced plums, almond nougat, and dark chocolate intermingle with faint strains of pipe tobacco. It sings on the finish, with a parting crescendo of hazelnut, spice, cigar wrapper, and lengthy oak.

Producer Description 

Introducing Ardbeg Heavy Vapours 2023 Committee Release Single Malt Scotch, a limited edition expression that pushes the boundaries of peat intensity and flavor exploration. Crafted exclusively for the esteemed Ardbeg Committee, this whisky is a testament to the daring spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence that defines the Ardbeg Distillery.

From the moment the bottle is uncorked, the room fills with an intense and captivating aroma that transports you to the rugged shores of Islay. Ardbeg Heavy Vapours immediately captivates the senses with a mesmerizing fusion of peat smoke, brine, and earthy undertones. This whisky is a true embodiment of Islay's rich and robust whisky heritage.

With each sip, you embark on a journey of extraordinary flavors. The palate is embraced by an avalanche of peat smoke, enveloping the taste buds with a distinctive, powerful, and unmistakable smokiness. As the smoke subsides, a remarkable complexity unfolds, revealing layers of maritime influences, charred oak, and hints of black pepper and citrus zest. The whisky's full-bodied and velvety texture leaves a lasting impression, creating an unforgettable tasting experience.

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours 2023 Committee Release Single Malt Scotch is a tribute to the skilled craftsmanship and time-honored traditions of the Ardbeg Distillery. Every aspect of its production, from the malting of the barley to the meticulous aging in oak casks, is carried out with unwavering precision and dedication.

Producer Description 

Triple distilled and matured solely in American bourbon casks. The result: a Lowland Single Malt Whisky with the sweet aromas of vanilla and coconut – along with the signature smooth, delicate, Auchentoshan taste.

Like all Auchentoshan whisky, American Oak is a really versatile Single Malt. It works wonders as an Auchentoshan & Ale, is happy to stand on its own neat or over ice but also shakes up some classic cocktails that you might not think work with Single Malt whisky.

About High West Bourbon

High West Distillery, based in Park City, Utah, is celebrated for its artful blending of straight bourbon whiskeys sourced from America's finest distilleries. This expression — a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys — showcases High West's signature approach: combining complementary barrels to create a bourbon that is greater than the sum of its parts. Approachable, flavorful, and distinctly Western in character.

Tasting Notes

Light caramel and sweet vanilla open the nose with inviting warmth. Rich and earthy on the palate with well-balanced flavors of candy corn, honey nougat, and sweet cornbread biscuits. The finish delivers vanilla with a hint of caramel apple — smooth, lingering, and satisfying.

Serve & Enjoy

Excellent neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. Its balanced sweetness and approachable profile make it ideal for a Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned, or simply enjoyed straight.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Style: Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Region: Utah, USA
Distillery: High West Distillery
ABV: 46% (92 Proof)

Producer Description 

Explore the rich tapestry of The Balvenie 19 Year, matured in sherry oak casks, where every sip unfolds layers of complex character and refinement.

The Balvenie 19 Year is a testament to time-honored craft, born from a fortuitous twist of fate. This sherry oak-aged marvel is a nod to the distillery's relentless pursuit of excellence through experimentation.

A palimpsest of flavors awaits—dark fruits meld with almond and cinnamon, while whispers of oak tell tales of 19 patient years. Does your palate seek the depth that only a storied cask can tell?

A familiar honey smoothness revealing layers of spice, intense ripe fruits like freshly baked Christmas cake. Giving way to a chewy fig, and a long creamy, nutty finish.

Producer Description 

Athough Port Dundas Distillery closed its doors in 2010, there are select, rare remaining stocks that allow a glimpse into the glorious past of one of Scotland’s most respected and historic distilleries. Muckety-Muck is one of those rare single grain scotches, now boasting 25 years of aging following the smashing success of our 24-year-old release.

The aroma starts with a burst of caramel and notes of baked sugar backed by the taste of crisp fruit and light toasted oak. The fruit forward flavor is blended with hints of butterscotch vanilla which carry through to the finish.

Producer Description 

Master Blender Brian Kinsman skilfully blends around 25 of the finest single malt and grain Scotch whiskies to make Grant’s Family Reserve. The basis for the blend is our widely acclaimed Girvan grain whisky. Vacuum distilled at a lower temperature to make it a lighter and more delicate spirit, it is then aged in oak to give it a deeper, sweeter, soft fruit flavour, creating the perfect foundation. 

Expert Review 

The Whiskey Advocate 91 Points | Rademon Estate Distillery’s superb core whiskey has a nose of rye crackers, fresh oak, vanilla sponge, honey, bread crust, sultana, and golden syrup. It’s light to medium-bodied, with honey, cinnamon, and a big hit of rye spice, sweetening with vanilla, spun sugar, and golden syrup, setting up a push and pull between the rye and the sweet notes, before a finish of toffee, cinnamon, cinder toffee, and walnuts in syrup.

Producer Description 

This carefully crafted Rye and Malt edition of Shortcross Irish Whiskey has been proudly distilled, matured and bottled at Rademon Estate Distillery.  This is our second release of whiskey, following our first release Inaugural single malt whiskey. Created with a unique mash bill of 100% Irish malted rye and malted barley.

This whiskey is highly regarded because it's part of a new wave of innovative Irish whiskeys, blending the traditional Irish style with the bold character of American rye.

This whiskey has been double distilled on our copper pot stills, including one of the smallest whiskey stills on the island of Ireland. Aged in a combination of virgin chinkapin oak and ex-bourbon barrels. Non-chill filtered all natural colour. 

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Soft spice, orange peel and creamy caramel fudge. 
Palate: Sweet stem ginger, fresh apricot and green apple followed by dark honey.
Finish: Sweet Marmalade and rich fudge, bringing with it light spice.  Velvety and rich finish.

Producer Description 

Elevate your palate with Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Small Batch Bourbon. Double-barreled for extra depth, each sip reveals cascading layers of sweet maple, toasted marshmallow, and almond. This 750ml bottle encapsulates innovation, making every occasion special with its uniquely warm and inviting finish.

Producer Description 

Jameson Original is a blend of pot still and fine grain whiskeys that is as versatile as it is smooth. Triple-distilled and aged for a minimum of 4 years, this is the timeless whiskey that turned our green bottle into an icon.

To the nose, Jameson has a light floral fragrance, peppered with spicy wood and sweet notes. Perfect balance of spicy, nutty and vanilla notes with hints of sweet sherry and exceptional smoothness. 

Michter’s U.S. 1 Unblended American Whiskey — Louisville, Kentucky | 41.7% ABV

Michter’s U.S. 1 Unblended American Whiskey is one of the most distinctive and misunderstood bottles in American whiskey — and one of the most rewarding. Unlike Bourbon, which by law must be aged in new, charred American oak, Michter’s Unblended American is aged in used, whiskey-soaked barrels, producing a spirit that sits in its own category: richer, more spirit-forward, and free from the constraints of any legal definition. Crucially, it never contains grain neutral spirits — hence the “unblended” distinction that sets it apart from blended American whiskeys. In late 2013, Master Distiller Willie Pratt re-released the U.S. 1 after a nearly three-year absence, declaring it “just right” and “the best it’s ever been.”

The nose is warm and generous: caramel popcorn, butterscotch, and dried fruits with a gentle lift of cinnamon and nutmeg spice. On the palate, it is smooth and approachable — the used-barrel aging delivering a rounder, more mellow character than a typical Bourbon, with a long, warming finish that rewards slow sipping. A whiskey that defies easy categorization and rewards the curious drinker.

“Just right — the best it’s ever been.” — Willie Pratt, Master Distiller, Michter’s Distillery

• Producer: Michter’s Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
• Style: Unblended American Whiskey — not legally a Bourbon
• Aging: Used, whiskey-soaked oak barrels (not new oak)
• No grain neutral spirits — “unblended” by definition
• ABV: 41.7% (83.4 Proof)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Caramel popcorn, butterscotch, dried fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg, smooth and warming finish
• Best Served: Neat or on the rocks — or in an Old Fashioned or Whiskey Sour
• Food Pairings: Smoked brisket, pecan pie, aged cheddar, dark chocolate, roasted nuts

Smooth, distinctive, and impossible to categorize — Michter’s U.S. 1 Unblended American Whiskey is the benchmark for what American whiskey can be outside the rules.