94 Malt Advocate

An old classic, but how do the newest bottlings fare? Rich, chewy, slightly oily texture. Deep peat, thick smoke, iodine, brine, charcoal, seaweed, tea (Earl Grey, Lapsang Souchong), and the aromas of a summer barbeque. Vanilla and light caramel soften the intensity, while subtle citrus fruit teases. Powerful, yet polished and seamless. After all these years, this whisky is still one of the finest standard-issue peaty, smoky whiskies!

96 Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2012

Chairman's Trophy Winner. Burnt orange/burnished color. Lovely, stately upfront aroma of pipe tobacco, cigar box, sausages and buttered popcorn. In the mouth, there are exciting tastes of sap and maple, as well as nougat, candy bar and roasted almond. Finishes spirity, grainy and world-class.

93 Malt Advocate

Suntory Yamazaki 18 year old, 43%. $100 Deep, mature in nature, and very complex. Notes of polished leather, maple syrup, and dark pit fruit, with suggestions of tobacco smoke, wood shavings, and unsweetened chocolate. References to fine old bourbon and ultra-matured pot-still rum provide intrigue. Proof that Japan produces some outstanding, distinctive whiskies. Nicely done!

92 The Whisky Advocate

Aromatic citrus wafts from the glass, as Creamsicle, orange peel, and green tea with lemon emerge. Honey Nut Cheerios, ripe strawberries, and a zing of tangy raspberry make the nose that much more enticing. Some cinnamon heat on the creamy palate, but it’s tempered wonderfully by strawberries and cream, vanilla frosting, and strawberry-rhubarb jam. The finish is rife with confectioner’s sugar and more warming spice.

92 Malt Advocate

The Macallan Fine Oak, 15 year old, 43%, This is my favorite of the three. For about $20 more, you get a richer, much more complex whisky than the 10 year old, and it is more balanced than the 21 year old. This 15 is drier than the 10, with lovely floral and spice notes (cinnamon, coriander, dried orange peel, lavender, rose), balanced by honey-laced complex fruit, and a dry, dark chocolate/orange marmalade finish.

90-95 Wine Enthusiast

Outside, the bottle sports an edgy “Day of the Dead” label design. Inside, this light-gold liquid has a mild, juicy, slightly peppery scent and a surprising floral honeysuckle note with a lingering waft of smoke. The soft, mouth-filling texture is offset by a welcome alcohol bite. This Tequila would prove an interesting mixer for a sour-style cocktail.

93 Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2012

"A robust but inviting nose of baked corn, wood varnish, and cracked leather. On the palate a beautifully silky texture belies classic bourbon flavors of creamed corn, wheat cake, and dried cherry before finishing with a hint of white pepper spice."

93 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Clear golden amber color. Toasty, roasted aromas and flavors of banana bread and toasted marshmallow, marzipan and vanilla butter cream frosting, orange crepes and salted caramel corn, and black tea with a satiny, soft, dryish medium body and a warming, captivating, medium-length finish imparting notes of wheat toast and graham cracker. This Bourbon hits all the marks; complex, toasty, fruity and spicy; slowly sip all day and consider pairing with a fine cigar. BEST BUY

99 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Light golden amber color. Aromas and flavors of apricot preserves, pickled raspberry and tart red cherry, plum sauce, and crispy duck skin in orange sauce with a round, tangy, dry medium-to-full body and a warming, very complex, very long finish with notes of maitake mushroom in an apricot bramble berry reduction, sesame and plum sauce crispy salmon crack, mincemeat pie and pralines, and artisan cola. Savory, almost meaty and then layered with red berries, citrus, and flaky pastries with tropical fruit confections; this one goes deep into the vault and delivers a king’s fortune of flavor and gratification.

90-95 Wine Enthusiast

A delightful and massive bouquet of ripe grapes and fruit-topped cheesecake with deep-seated aromas of prunes, dates, figs, coffee beans and chocolate-covered cherries. The palate entry is long, sweet, cocoa-like and rich; at midpalate subtle bittersweet hints of citrus, black coffee and caramel emerge. Finishes virile, sweet and concentrated.