Compass Box
Orangerie
Orange Flavored Whisky Limited Edition
(Scotland)
40% abv, $35.
SUPERB / Highly Recommended
The aroma displays a spicy, rind-like bearing with hints of orange candy, fresh herbs, and the oily presence of grain whisky. The palate entry is nicely acidic and bone dry; at midpalate the taste profile turns mildly sweeter, sap-like, and more whisky-like. The finish is off-dry, citrusy, sappy, yet creamy. Best Buy.

Jon, Mark and Robbo's
The Rich Spicy One
Malt Whisky
(Scotland)
40% abv, $30.
SUPERB / Highly Recommended
Mixture of whiskies from the Tamdhu, Highland Park, Glenrothes and Bunnahabhain malt distilleries. Tangy aromas of pork rind, bacon fat, cream and almond paste make for luscious early-on sniffing. Palate entry is chewy, rich, honey sweet and just a tad spicy in a peppery manner; at midpalate, the flavor profile shows off an oily/buttery side that greatly complements the baked, honeyed sweetness. The aftertaste is long, oaky sweet and even vanilla-like. Best Buy.

Glen Breton
(Glenora)
Canadian Single Malt Whisky
(Canada)
43% abv, $80.
The delightful aroma features scents of spice, dried banana, cinnamon/nutmeg; ginger, egg cream, and a hint of honey. The palate entry offers a zesty, spirity warmth; by midpalate the pleasing tingle is replaced by round tastes of honey coated cereal, sweet oak, and candied almond. Finishes elegantly, smoldering warm, and resiny bittersweet. A world-class malt whisky.

Pendleton
Director's Reserve 2005
20-Year-Old
Blended Canadian Whisky
(Canada)
40% abv, $75.
SUPERB / Highly Recommended
The understated bouquet features earthy scents of wet forest and pine with supplemental aromas of light caramel, honey, and milk coffee. The delicious palate entry is richly sweet; by midpalate the honey character turns more like cream Sherry and dates. The finish is toffee sweet and fudge-like.

Old Forester
2005 Birthday Bourbon
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(USA)
48% abv, $35.
CLASSIC / Highest Recommendation
A lovely bouquet that is perfumed, gently woody and breakfast cereal-like. The palate entry offers melded tastes of toffee, buttered popcorn and marzipan; at midpalate flavors include butterscotch, brown sugar and dark honey. The aftertaste displays the oak influence and is long, off-dry to semisweet. Best Buy.

William Larue Weller
Limited Edition 12-Year-Old
Uncut/Unfiltered Barrel Proof
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(USA)
60.95% abv, $55.
CLASSIC / Highest Recommendation
The fragrance is alive with scents of pepper, oak, caramel corn, new leather, plums, light toffee and pipe tobacco. The palate entry is astoundingly rich, deeply honey-like, and gently warming; the midpalate features tastes of marshmallow, caramel corn, sautéed almonds, nougat, figs and dates. Finishes composed and flavorfully sweet. Add mineral water. Delicious!

Bulleit Bourbon
Frontier Whiskey
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(USA)
45% abv, $25.
SUPERB / Highly Recommended
An intensely grainy bouquet. The palate entry is corny sweet and nearly honey-like; at midpalate the core flavor of sweet corn mash remains while tastes of buttered popcorn, brown sugar and nougat expand. Finishes with a spurt of fire and lots of long, corny/grainy tastes. Should be part of every serious whiskey-lover's collection. Best Buy.