1 | Spirits | Blended, $50 to $100

"This amber blend of 15 whiskies, each aged at least 18 years, yields a mellow, balanced mix of sweet caramel, raisin and smoky notes, all lingering and pleasing. Serve chilled, possibly as a dessert pairing."

"Pure amber color. Buttered toast and grain, buckwheat honey, and mossy stone aromas. A silky entry leads to a dryish medium body of honey buttered wheat toast, roasted nuts, dried banana, and peppery spice. Finishes with a lingering toffee, wet stone, and spice fade. A rock solid blend."

"The nosing finds dry grainy notes with background scents of dried flowers and parchment, and deeper fragrances of light toffee, almond paste and yellow fruit. Entry is oily, buttery and semisweet; the whisky dazzles at midpalate with layered flavors of brown butter, cooking oil, barley malt and oatmeal cookie underpinned by the single malt foundation. Concludes smoky, satiny and ultra-sophisticated." 90-95 pts.

"The wonderful bouquet includes scents of bacon fat, honey, orange rind with deeper smells of black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla bean and pipe tobacco. Entry is silky smooth, semisweet, concentrated and honeyed; the midpalate offers grainy sweet, yet spicy, tangy, fruity, nutty and floral tastes. The oak element really emerges in the aftertaste, ideally completing this sensational blended Scotch. One of the finest blended Scotches in the world." 96-100 pts.

"Amber color. Cocoa, roasted nuts, and a touch of ash on the nose. A soft entry leads to a dryish medium body of honeyed multigrain toast, cocoa-dusted figs, and brown spices. Finishes with a lingering peppery honey, wet grain, and ashy mineral fade. nice layers of flavor and complexity make for thought-provoking sipping."

Known in Europe as "Dimple Haig", or just "Dimple", its taste is smooth and mellow onthe palate, with a delicate hint of smoke.