90 The Whisky Advocate

This decade-old Basil Hayden entices early with a nose of fresh fruit: there’s green apple, applesauce, lemon juice, ripe Bosc pear, and vanilla frosting. While the mouthfeel is a tad thin (a byproduct of lower proof) the palate is flavorful all the same, spotlighting baking spice, vanilla pudding cup, white pepper, honey, and the slightest hint of black coffee. Peppery spice, cinnamon, caramel swirl, and sugar cookie combine for a warming finish that lingers on for a while.

96 Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2012

Chairman's Trophy Winner. Burnt orange/burnished color. Lovely, stately upfront aroma of pipe tobacco, cigar box, sausages and buttered popcorn. In the mouth, there are exciting tastes of sap and maple, as well as nougat, candy bar and roasted almond. Finishes spirity, grainy and world-class.

93 Malt Advocate

Suntory Yamazaki 18 year old, 43%. $100 Deep, mature in nature, and very complex. Notes of polished leather, maple syrup, and dark pit fruit, with suggestions of tobacco smoke, wood shavings, and unsweetened chocolate. References to fine old bourbon and ultra-matured pot-still rum provide intrigue. Proof that Japan produces some outstanding, distinctive whiskies. Nicely done!

95 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Golden amber color. Aromas and flavors of vanilla, marzipan, and roasted hazelnut, vanilla cream butterscotch pudding, leather and cigar box, and herbal with a fat body and a very long finish that exhibits nuances of black pepper, vanilla, caramel, and doughy. A spicy east coast Rye with a creamy vanilla backbone; a benchmark example for classic cocktails.

94 Wine Enthusiast

Complex and dry, with a shifting array of aromas and flavors. At first, this rye smelled spicy and orange-y, but later opened up to a strong caramel fragrance. In addition to heavy wood in the flavor, caramel, dark tea, and tobacco also can be detected. Light, smooth finish is velvety on the tongue. Light to medium body, with the right amount of bite. With some dilution from ice, it opens up, and becomes even more light and crisp. Seems like a good rye for Sazeracs and other cocktails.

92 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Golden amber color. Aromas and flavors of graham cracker, spiced rice pudding, madagascar vanilla, and turbinado sugar with a round, vibrant, dryish medium-full body and an effortless, involved, very long finish displaying elements of creme brulee, bananas foster, hazelnut creme, and toasted brioche dusted with cinnamon and sugar. A luxurious, plush Rye Whiskey that delivers delicious decadence.

85-89 Wine Enthusiast

"Smooth and medium bodied, Captain Morgan ® Original Spiced Rum is a secret blend of Caribbean rums and mellow spice and other natural flavours. It gets its distinct richness and amber colour from aging the rum in charred white oak barrels." - Distillery

90-95 Wine Enthusiast

Outside, the bottle sports an edgy “Day of the Dead” label design. Inside, this light-gold liquid has a mild, juicy, slightly peppery scent and a surprising floral honeysuckle note with a lingering waft of smoke. The soft, mouth-filling texture is offset by a welcome alcohol bite. This Tequila would prove an interesting mixer for a sour-style cocktail.

95 Wine Enthusiast

Aged a mere 18 months, this Tequila is well-balanced and sippable, with honey sweetness and a long butterscotch finish. — Kara Newman