93 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Clear. Sweet floral juniper, lemon custard pastry and and pink peppercorn aromas follow through on a very soft, silky entry to a glycerous medium-full body where pronounced piney juniper notes emerge with great depth and intensity. Finishes with a long, warm pepper, river stone, and creamy meringue accented fade. A stylish, smooth, nouveau gin with a lovely arc of flavor. International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal

97 Wine Enthusiast

This offers rich caramel, hazelnut and cocoa aromas on the nose. The palate echoes those luscious flavors, but also layers walnut, cocoa powder and hints of orange and grapefruit peel, while allspice warms the finish. Aged first in Barbados, then in ex-Cognac casks at the Ferrand estate in France.

95 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Copper color. Aromas and flavors of frosted fruit nut cake, frosted cardamom coffee cake, and sarsaparilla float with a satiny, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, nuanced, very long finish with notes of vanilla meringue, macadamia gelato, and sweet spices. A wonderfully flavorful and inviting aged Rum that is a pleasure to sip and savor.

92 The Whisky Advocate

Sweet, with subtle, crisp, nutty oak, then comes fudge, ripe banana, and peach. The overall effect is like eating vanilla ice cream with toffee fudge and hazelnut sprinkles. The structure is thick and physical, the palate sweet and quite fat, with light hints of raspberry, fruit salad. A jag of acidity freshens the delivery on the finish. With water there’s more toffee, and it becomes slightly more yielding, with less oak. For me the gold standard of grain.

96 Wine Enthusiast

Complex and nuanced, this shochu opens with mild white floral and violet aromas. The palate is light, with fleeting mocha and pecan pie sweetness, finishing earthy, with a gentle floral exhale. Consider for a martini variation. Distilled from sweet potatoes and rice (white koji, hence the name). KARA NEWMAN

94 The Whisky Advocate

Number 2 Whiskey of 2024.... The flagship of Bruichladdich’s Luxury Redefined range is packaged in a molded fiber cocoon. Distilled in 2004, this whisky includes the distillery’s first use of Islay-grown barley. It was matured on Islay, mostly in bourbon barrels but also in a combination of sauternes and port casks. Aromas of honey, vanilla, and creamed coconut are wrapped around floral flourishes, with peach, melon, guava, and ground ginger. Complex layers of gooseberry, melon, and banana mingle with butterscotch, barley sugar, honeycomb, vanilla, and cinnamon, running into a satisfying finish of ginger and oak spice with a hint of coastal saltiness. —Jonny McCormick

8 The Whiskey Wash

The Bruichladdich Eighteen is a delightful example of higher-age cask management, pulling in elements that balance it very well. Have a bottle of this around to share with others.