93 The Whisky Advocate

This veteran rye never managed to ascend from the bottom shelf. Perhaps a new generation of enthusiasts couldn’t get behind the staid name, or found the price too low to believe. But having persevered for over two centuries, Old Overholt’s time has come. This new version (indicated by its red cap) eliminates chill-filtering, resulting in greater flavor and depth. Aromas of Christmas spice cake, cinnamon, apple, and toasted grain lead to a mouthful of berry fruit, with seductive allspice, cacao, and walnut notes. What’s old is new again! Number 12 in the 2020 Top 20

90-95 Wine Enthusiast

"Bouquet is semisweet and prune-like; several minutes of aeration unleashes much deeper scents of honeydew melon, cantaloupe, roasted almonds and apple butter. The palate entry is full bodied, generous and sweet; at midpalate, the flavor profile turns satiny as scintillating tastes of black cherry, black coffee and Macadamia nut blanket the tongue. Aftertaste is extended, smoky and luscious."

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."

90 Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

Clear. Well integrated aromas of lemon frosted pound cake, pine bark, and black pepper with silky dry-yet-fruity medium body and a penetrating, warming, and pure juniper, chili pepper, spicy custard, sweet grain and slate accented finish. Elegantly vibrant and bold; will pop brilliantly in cocktails. International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal

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!

93 Wine Enthusiast

Overall, this is a clean and neutral vodka that’s smooth and nicely balanced. It’s muscular enough for chilled martinis, but is laced with subtle, delicate notes of candied lemon peel and coriander. Distilled from grain and “filtered through ancient arctic lava rocks.”

94 VinePair - VinePair

This is the second single malt release produced at Mars’ Tsunuki distillery, which was constructed in 2016. While a relatively youthful whiskey, it isn’t overpowered by peated character, nor the influence from the bourbon and sherry casks in which it aged. Prepare for an attractive mix of rose petals, apples, golden honey, and lightly scorched earth.

89 The Whisky Advocate

The distillery’s second U.S. bottling spotlights peat, though this is Kyushu, not Islay. A pure and clinical nosing experience, with honey, cantaloupe, peach, and green apple, a delightful puff of peat smoke, and scents of barley, creamed coconut, raffia baskets, and peppercorn. Better with water, it’s creamy and well-balanced, with apple, bitter orange, lime, and peppery smoke, ending with sweet citrus, malt, and cocoa powder.

4 WHISKEY RICHARD - NOMUNICATION

Score: B. Nose: Initially there’s a whiff of peat, but give it a couple minutes and you realize it’s actually quite unpeaty for a peated whisky. Instead we get plenty of sweet Bourbon cask notes and fruitiness and honey. Think pears, apples, and maybe a plum or two. Palate: On the tongue it’s smooth as butter. The cask is dominating this one for now; the malt hasn’t had a chance to shine through the sweet vanilla. Otherwise quite nicely balanced and I’m glad they didn’t go smoke-bombing us. Finish: Here’s where we can feel more of that boldness that Tsunuki is supposed to become famous for. A twinge of bitter oak initially, but some nice smoke closes things out.