93 Malt Advocate

Straw-gold color. On the nose, sweet toffee, citrus notes, seaweed, and spice complement a powerful peat smoke infusion. In body, it is thick and oily. On the palate, a somewhat sweet maltiness up front is run over by a powerful peat smoke locomotive. Again, the whisky is enriched with citrus and pear notes, spice, and seaweed. The finish is powerful, long, and warming. The smoke lingers for minutes, if not hours. If you like your Ardbeg to go to a phenolic extreme, you will cherish this one. This big, powerful whisky makes no apologies for its Islay roots. And the fact that this whisky is bottled at 46% ABV just makes this big whisky even bigger.

93 The Whisky Advocate

A whisky so aromatic that peat lovers will likely smell an open bottle within 10 miles. On the nose there are kiwi, pine needles, fennel seeds, hot asphalt, lemon lozenges, iodine, peppery herbal notes, and briny aromas. Sweet and smoky with intense spicy heat on the palate, there’s honey, lemon, shortbread, and maltiness, though water yields sweeter citrus flavors, candied lemon, cinnamon, nutmeg, toffee, and molasses, with a finish of butterscotch, menthol, eucalyptus, and salty seaweed. Darn good.

94 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Steely clear color. Aromas and flavors of anise seed and fennel and celery stalks with an oily, vibrant, sweet fat body and a hot, delightful, very long finish with notes of black licorice and rock candy, straw, and coleman’s fuel. A bold anise liqueur with unmistakable Sambuca style.

89 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Clear with a faint nickel straw cast. Aromas of nougat, vanilla cream, bison grass, tropical citrus, and fig paste with supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a nice vegetal agave, nut, mineral and pepper snap on the finish. A nice marriage of agave and delicate oak that has some white whisky-like notes. Will shine in cocktails. (tasted on Aug-27-2013)

94 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Amber color. Inviting aromas of caramel popcorn, spiced apples, leather, maple, and brown butter with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry medium body and a sleek, complex, medium-long milk chocolate, pecan marzipan, toffee, and espresso finish. An instantly appealing, classic Bourbon that can do no wrong.

93 The Whisky Advocate

Polished and nicely balanced, with caramel as the main note, followed by candied fruit, soft vanilla, sweet corn, and nougat. Subtle spice (ginger, cinnamon) and gentle oak on the finish round out the sweet notes. Easygoing demeanor and very drinkable. Great value too! A very pleasing, versatile bourbon. —John Hansell

91 The Whisky Advocate

Stone fruit, strawberry ice cream bar, lemon peel, and a touch of grassiness make for an appealing nose. Creamy vanilla comes forth on the palate, which is hot, hot, hot, but not unpleasantly so, as it’s tied to notes of candied ginger and peppery spice. With water (which is definitely recommended for this one), the flavors expand considerably, revealing more vanilla, white pepper, and ample chocolate. The finish is splendid, rife with crème brûlée sweetness, graham cracker, and mocha.