91 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Light gold color. Aromas and flavors of orchard fruit and white cherries, ginger, strawberry and lemon zest, and orange blossom honey with a satiny, crisp, dry medium body and a peppery, interesting, medium-length finish with suggestions of baked apple, ginger and lemon zest, cherry blossoms, and candied black pepper. Beautiful nose that draws you in with layers of floral and fruity flavors despite the slightly elevated ABV; dare to say this is designed to make a killer High Ball?

3+ The Whiskey Wash

Suntory Toki’s popularity as an introductory Japanese whisky for international consumers makes a ton of sense. The low proof makes the crisp, well integrated flavors very accessible. The analogy to Johnny Walker is almost too obvious (though of course the range of expressions within this blend is not so wide). This pour is not quite on the same level as your favorite single malts, but that’s not what this is about. Its role is to be accessible both on the market and to the palate. 3.5 STARS ------- A decent sipper, this bottle is likely deliberately designed to make an excellent highball. I tried out a very simple iteration with lemon-flavored seltzer with a lemon twist and found it an incredibly refreshing porch beverage during the recent heatwave. Next time I’ll be adding ginger. Those of you with better imaginations and cocktail chops than me will enjoy this blend’s broadly compatible flavor profile.

93 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Clear. Aromas of creamy porridge, lemon pastry, juniper, and spice with a plush satiny fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a warming, seamlessly nuanced finish with notes of lemongrass gelato, pink peppercorns, coriander and piney herbs. A fantastically flavorful and balanced gin that is sure to please the most discriminating palate. (tasted on Mar-26-2013)

93 The Whisky Advocate

The sixth edition in Glenmorangie’s “Tale of” series, following Tale of Cake, Winter, Forest, Tokyo, and Ice Cream. This offers cinnamon, clove, baked apple, and tiramisu sweet- ness on the nose, with lovely warmth and balanced spice. More cinnamon, then baking spice on a soft, balanced palate, with creamy vanilla on the back palate. The finish offers chocolate, more balanced spice, and hints of red berries. Excellent integration of multiple flavors.

93 Wine Enthusiast

Truth in labeling here: the attached tag reads, “Not So Sweet.” Indeed, this inky-dark brown liqueur is full-on coffee, no sugar in sight. The powerful fresh espresso aroma leads to a relatively dry palate that suggests fresh-ground coffee beans, with a fleeting vanilla note midpalate, winding into a bracing touch of cocoa-nib bitterness and warming clove on the finish. KARA NEWMAN

90-95 Wine Enthusiast

"Off-dry malted barley and light toffee smells greet the olfactory sense along with flowery fragrances of heather, rose petal and pine. Entry features sweet grain and candied apricot tastes; the midpalate is mellow, malty, fruity (white raisins, apricots) and sophisticated. Ends on a buttery note. Remains the Speyside benchmark."