4 | Spirits | Scotch | Page 5

The recreation of the single malt whisky that Ernest Shackleton carried with him on his Nimrod Expedition to Antarctica has finally arrived!

"The initial aroma is large, biscuity and grainy sweet; the aroma then becomes more sugar biscuit-like and a touch salty. Palate entry finds generous and malty-sweet flavors; by midpalate distinctive notes of black pepper, seaweed, oaky vanilla, honey and dark caramel are added. Finishes elegantly, sweetly and malty, with just a barely discernable influence of the sea. Best Buy." 90-95 pts.

"First nosing exposes dry scents of walnuts, grass and dark toffee. Entry is malty and vanilla—extract bittersweet; midpalate is silky, creamy, Sherry sweet, pruny and black raisin-like. Ends on a dark chocolate note that’s chewy, medium-sweet and satisfying." Best Buy. 90-95 pts.

Pronounced "a-boon'arh" (Gaelic for origin), this beauty is aged in Oloroso sherry butts, and bottled at cask strength with no chill-filtering.

"Nose: Sea-salt, peat sherry. Body: Full, smooth. Palate: The dryness of the whisky itself is at first offset by the sweetness of the sherry character. As the palate develops, the salty notes in particular emerge."

"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.

"Brilliant amber color. Round and delicate aromas of caramelized pecans and hazelnuts, heathery peat and spice cake follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with buttercream, floral honey, and sea salt notes. Finishes with a long, evolving fade of spice, nuts, and earth. Excellent." Gold Medal.

One of the most requested Scotch blends has finally arrived in the U.S! Monkey Shoulder is more than a cute bottle – though those monkeys sure are adorable – it's an all-Speyside vatting with no grain whisky. It earns its description as a "triple malt," containing Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Kininvie malts. - The Whiskey Hotline

"The early aroma is a combination of malt, wood and sea breeze; the later bouquet is a deliciously harmonious, even creamy marriage of maritime atmosphere and malted barley. Palate entry is chock full of biscuity, peaty, tobacco leaf tastes; the midpalate stage is sweet. Concludes strong, firm, slightly hot, pungent and briny. The best-kept secret of Scotland’s Western Highlands. Best Buy." 85-89 pts.