90-95 Wine Enthusiast

Opening nosings detect concentrated, litchi nut, deep-roasted grain scents; aroma turns baked, buttery, oaky and almost brandy-like with aeration. Palate entry is integrated, sweet, and slightly peppery; at midpalate there s a sweet oak/vanilla rush that backs off prior to the finish, leaving behind taste traces of spirity heat, vanilla extract, cake frosting, butter cream and resin. Evokes thoughts of Cognac, in particular, from the Borderies district. Best Buy.

94 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Amber color. Aromas of chocolate-drizzled caramels, autumn leaves, cherry granola, fine furniture, and corn fritters with a velvety, bright, medium-to-full body and a smooth, captivating, medium-long salted hazelnuts, caramel tart, whipped cream, tobacco, and spice cookies finish. A sultry, oaky Bourbon for the connoisseur.

94 The Whisky Advocate

Peaty whiskies from Scotland’s west coast and charred barrels are responsible for the intensity of this underappreciated Johnnie Walker gem. Deep, velvety layers of sweet peat with beach barbecue smoke, heather, smoked citrus peel, soot, clove, and dried apricot on the nose. The palate offers dried orchard fruit, pepper, vanilla, creamy caramel, zesty orange, and dense peat smoke, leaving a smoky finish of clove, leather, and dried vine fruit.

93 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Medium gold color. Aromas and flavors of dried mango, canned pineapple, toffee, and bread pudding with a round, lively, dry medium body and a tingling, engaging, medium-length finish imparting notes of butterscotch, mango sticky rice, dried apricot, and roasted mixed nuts. Dried tropical fruits on sweet caramel bread pudding; a complex cloud of dreamy Whiskey.

94 Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2012

Chairman's Trophy Winner. The nose is complex and playful with sweet malt, roasted nuts, smoky grains, clove, cardamom, and pepper. The palate is generous being nearly explosive with waves of malt whisky notes, treacle, toffee, and butterscotch, with a firm touch of pepper. Beautifully textured.

90-95 Wine Enthusiast

"The initial whiffs find layers of honey, flowers and light toffee; air contact stimulates aromas of pine needle, caramel, nougat, marzipan, chocolate orange and stewed apple. The palate entry is totally dry then turns bittersweet and pork rind-like; at midpalate tastes of burnt apple crisp, orange zest, fudge and candied nuts appear. Finishes as grandly and stately as it began."

93 The Whisky Advocate

A mainstay among the best Japanese whiskies for good reason. This single malt whisky matures in three types of barrels: bourbon, oloroso sherry, and mizunara oak. The resulting liquid is floral, light, complex, and balanced. It’s pleasing, sip after sip.