91 The Whisky Advocate

With its heavyweight aromas and thick creamy mouthfeel, this wonderful debut of the Nikka Discovery Series offers an unconventional glimpse into whisky making at Yoichi, and it’s a journey worth following. Golden syrup pancakes, citrus peel, vanilla, egg custard with nutmeg, and fresh barley aromas precede dense layers of fruit and cream on the palate, with nectarine, apricot, marzipan fruits, crystalized citrus, nippy pepper, caramel, vanilla, and a bright zesty finish.

96 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Golden amber color. Aromas and flavors of pomegranate, cantaloupe, and mango, lemon, green apple, and phyllo dough, pickled ginger, banana bread, and and candied bacon with a fat body and a very long finish with notes of cooked mango rolled in walnut, grilled peaches, cinnamon roll, and banana bread. An incredible example of Irish Whiskey; lush and balanced flavors, extraordinarily well done.

92 Wine Enthusiast

Clear in the glass, this flavored gin, made with Italian lemons, offers gentle lemon and grapefruit peel aromas. The bracing, lightly sweet palate has a nicely authentic lemon flavor, with hints of peel and pith, finishing appropriately bitter. Skip the lemon twist, and mix into Martinis and other drinks. - KARA NEWMAN

95 Wine Enthusiast

Mild almond aromas lead into a palate that unfurls hints of vanilla and brown sugar. The midpalate surprises with plum skin, espresso and rootsy sarsaparilla, plus mouthwatering lemon zest, drying to a long and spicy finish laced with cayenne, clove and sandalwood.

92 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Golden amber color. Aromas of spicy toffee, peach marmalade, clay, burnt nut, and heather with a silky dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a lively toasted oat and nut, peat, and honeyed orange finish. Delicious, vibrantly fresh and easy drinking. International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal

96 Wine Enthusiast

The latest and most luxe addition to the Belvedere line is distilled from organic rye and presented in a tall, angular white tower. The liquid within is light, soft and mostly neutral, with a faint sweetness that hints at lychee or rosewater. Pink peppercorn sparks on the crisp finish. Would be stellar in a martini variation or a Vesper. — Kara Newman

90-95 Wine Enthusiast

There are subtle notes of cocoa, white chocolate and straw in the first whiffs after the pour; aeration adds aromas of tar, gum, parchment and grass. The palate entry is intensely vegetal and tobacco-like; midpalate finds tastes of uncooked asparagus, sweet oak, light toffee and skimmed milk. Finishes elegantly, smooth and semisweet. A class act. Best Buy.

94 The Whisky Advocate

Aromas of musty oak, old library books, broiled peaches, ladyfinger cookies, and a hint of tobacco on a mellow nose. The palate offer bitter chocolate, but also sweet flavors of warm peach tart, crème brûlée, and lemon pie, with a dash of jalapeño pepper spice. The finish is very long, offering vanilla custard sprinkled with chocolate flakes and cinnamon. Very well-integrated with deep, layered flavor creating a sublime whisky.

92 The Whisky Advocate

Peaty and meaty on the first sip, this starts with fruit, graham cracker, red meat, and marshland notes. The rum cask gave up its sweetness to this Islay malt. On the finish you find some buttercream, earth, and a bit of oyster shell. Water brings out ever more peat, making it even more lively on the palate. A lovely dram that almost begs for a cigar to keep it company.