95 The Whisky Advocate

Well-structured aromas with floral top notes, seasoned oak, vanilla, peat smoke, banana chip, and pecan bars. The interaction of oak, smoke, cigar, and deep-toned wood sugars makes this pretty special. Smooth to sip, with toffee, vanilla, citrus, bountiful fruits, smoke, and spice, burgeoning with burnt heather, toasted nuts, oak char, malty chocolate, coffee, and black fruits. Simply stunning blending.

5 The Whiskey Wash

I could exhaust a majority of superlatives in my vocabulary lauding this whisky. It is quite simply a masterful evocation of what imaginative blending can be when conjoined with a precise understanding of balance and the unique ways that terroir manifests in Scotch. Here we have a representative sampling of multiple regions, each bringing their own idiosyncratic traits to the whole and allowing them to shine individually while also creating a harmonious depth that is greater than the sum of its parts. And yet does so with a subtlety that seems the peak of elegance. --------- Whisky enthusiasts should find it worth every penny (and then some) of its $300 or so price-tag, and with a mere 5,400 bottles produced, I imagine collectors will jump at this rarity that I believe will come to be regarded as a genuine classic.

92 The Whisky Advocate

This new version of Black label—6 months older and four proof points higher—has orange marmalade, lemon grove, and raisin bread sweetness on the nose, tempered by oak tannins. The palate offers balanced spice and nuttiness, and vanilla-chocolate ice cream draped in warm fudge. Chocolate notes keep coming, along with a light pecan nuttiness. The texture is rounded and smooth, with an agreeable lightness that doesn’t sacrifice structure or depth. A long, pleasant finish of orange and vanilla, balanced by earthy notes of leather and black pepper.

98 International Wine & Spirit Competition - International Wine & Spirit Competition

Bonfire scented ice cream, juicy peach, pastry and honey-laced white chocolate. Sublime smoky finish. Superbly made whisky with subtle flavour and power.

94 The Whisky Advocate

Now finished for 2 years in a combination of sauternes, monbazillac, muscatel, and tokaji casks, this has mouthwatering aromas of peach syrup, warm brioche, orange cake, fruit pastries, and ripe apricot. The palate is drenched in baked fruit flavors, with apricot, orange Jell-O, and orange honey, plus pepper. The mouthfeel is succulent and unctuous, revealing baked pastries, flaked almond, brioche, cinnamon toast, bananas Foster, and creamy toffee to finish. No. 8 in our Top 20 of 2024.

90 Wine Enthusiast

Billed as the world’s first white añejo, it indeed has an unusual clear appearance, hence the name “claro.” Created to celebrate Don Julio’s 70th anniversary, this limited edition bottling, aged for 18 months, has powerful charred oak, honey and vanilla notes, and a banana-like finish. — K.N. (5/1/2013)

93 The Whisky Advocate

Joining High West’s Cask Collection alongside its Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sherry cask-finished expressions, among others, this blend of bourbons is decadently expressive from nose to finish. Bananas, apples, barrel char, and cigar leaf create a complex and inviting nose. On the palate, there’s vanilla, a hint of tropical fruit, and honey held together by a backbone of toasted oak. The finish introduces cinnamon, dark chocolate, and a lingering prickle of pepper.