1 | Spirits | Irish, $20 to $50, 750 ml

"The bouquet features charred paper smells of toasted walnuts, roasted chestnuts, paraffin, cardboard, parchment, dry grain and herbs. Entry is grainy sweet and moderately oily; the midpalate stage is loaded with grainy breakfast cereal flavors and, at times, even comes off like oatmeal. Ends well on an oily, satiny note." 85-89 pts.

"Deep amber color. Butter roasted nut, cocoa powder and toast aromas follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body of with lovely notes of dark toffee and brown spices. Finishes with a lingering, chocolate malt, peppery spice, and wet stone fade. Very nice, delicate and flavorful."

"Delightful bouquet of butterscotch, hazelnut, old cigarette ashes, spices, fennel and honey. Entry is intensely herbal and semisweet; the midpalate is medicinal, a touch smoky, herbal and honeyed. Finishes with a notable honey taste and an end taste reminiscent of Drambuie. I like this flavored whiskey." 90-95 pts.

"The bouquet aromas include barley malt, asparagus, hollandaise, dry breakfast cereal, white peppercorns and salt. Entry is soft, citrusy-orangy, moderately baked and toasty; an almond nougat taste enters at midpalate and nicely offsets the dry maltiness and vegetal flavors. Shows solid presence and a hint of heather in the finish." 85-89 pts.

"Lovely scents of sweet grains, sugared breakfast cereal and pine make for pleasing sniffing. Entry is nimble, gently sweet, almost piney and honeyed; the midpalate stage carries on with style and smoothness, as the taste profile remains steadfast and mildly sweet. Finishes with a honey thrust that’s exhilarating and delightful." 85-89 pts.

"Connoisseurs describe Tullamore Dew as 'subtle, smooth and with a pleasant maltiness combined with charred wood undertones and the natural flavour of golden barley'".

"The nose is delicate, sweet short crust pastry. Marzipan and raspberry jam. Raisins. Oily on the palate, vaguely fruity, honeyed. Faintly herbal. Finishes more like a dessert wine than a whisky. Rich, creamy and filling. Visually, a very attractive whisky – rich amber and gloriously viscous. If my suspicions are correct, an earlier expression of this whisky reminded me of a Peshwari Nan. Must be shared and discussed with friends."

"The early stage aroma is fresh, malty, yeasty/beery and honey-like; further aeration stimulates intriguing notes of nougat, milk chocolate and oaky vanilla. Palate entry offers pleasantly fruity/grainy tastes that are off-dry. Ends up semisweet, candied and even a tad sherried." 85-89 pts.

"Bright old gold color. Nuanced aromas of dried ginger, vanilla salt water taffy, cereal, and beeswax follow through on a a soft, silky entry to a dryish medium body with cream, lemongrass, and brown sugar notes. Finishes with a long, warming praline and spice fade. Excellent vibrancy of flavor and balance." Gold Medal.