93 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Deep golden amber color. Aromas of roasted coconut and nuts, chocolate toffee, mocha, and delicate herbs and spices with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a creamy chocolate mousse, dried fruit, vanilla, cedar and mineral nuanced finish. More añejo than extra añejo, but very nice and approachable. International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal

94 Wine Enthusiast

This honey-hued rye has a remarkable aroma, melding cookie dough, hazelnut and marzipan. The same luscious flavors show up on the palate, rich and sweet, leading into a confected finish of Nutella sprinkled with nutmeg and cinnamon. The sugar-and-spice effect is due to 18 months finishing time in casks that first held Cognac, then Caribbean rum. — K.N. (7/1/2013)

96 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

2021 Best Anejo Tequila... Straw color. Inviting aromas and flavors of honey-drizzled grapefruit, sweet apple compote, toffee, and sweet chamomile tea with a round, vibrant, dryish light-to-medium body and a peppery, elegant, medium-long finish with notes of pink peppercorns, ginger, and graphite. A stylish, peppery Tequila with a true sense of self.

92 The Whisky Advocate

Nikka’s signature bottling honors founder Masataka Taketsuru, who brought his whisky making skills back from Scotland to Japan in 1920. Taketsuru’s successors have reformulated this blended malt, which fully complies with the latest definitions of Japanese whisky. The aromas create an oasis of calm with layers of gentle wood spices, smoke, vanilla pod, and lemon biscuits, while the palate carries a distinctive waxy sappiness that revels in luscious flavors of star fruit, lemon, Asian pear, peach syrup, and aromatic spice. Number 15 in the 2021 Top 20

96 Wine Enthusiast

This lively, bright Tequila will please purists. A light hand with the oak means a straw hue and brisk aromas of jalapeño and citrus. The palate melds flavors of bell pepper, fresh rosemary and roasted jalapeño that lead into mild coconut and graphite notes on the midpalate, finishing with a fresh herb exhale. KARA NEWMAN

4+ The Whiskey Wash

18 year old bourbons, rare as they are, appear in a curious category price wise in that just a handful price really high, and just a handful price more reasonably. Looking at Dickel Bourbon Aged 18 Years, it is really a gorgeous example of what an American whiskey with this age statement should taste like. Its pricing drops solidly in the middle of what you can find in this age range, so that’s something to note depending upon how thick your cash wad is...... I love it, but can’t give it a perfect score as I wish it was just a little less brutal on one’s yearly whiskey spending budget.

88 Malt Advocate

The subtle sherry adds an additional level of complexity when compared to the standard 10 year old, taking Tomintoul to a new level. Rich and creamy, with well-balanced notes of toffee, vanilla fudge, toasted nuts, and elegant fruit. A surprisingly delicious whisky for 12 years old.