5 | Spirits | Whiskey, $10 to $20, 750 ml

"Opening nose hints of pine tar, dark caramel and maple syrup with subtle notes of brown sugar and honey. Palate entry has a silk texture; at midpalate there’s a minor explosion of dried fruit and chocolate cherry flavor. Concludes quiet and mild. Best Buy." 85-89 pts.

"Old gold color. Dried peach, golden raisin, fig, praline, and spicy cocoa aromas. A soft, silky entry leads to a dryish medium body of creamy vanilla, maple on porridge, and dried fruit flavors. Finishes with a smooth, delicately spicy, melted toffee fade. A fine sipper. Best Buy."

"Pale golden amber color. Mild toasted baguette and golden raisin scone aromas with a silky soft, dry medium body and a nut oil and honeyed grain finish. Pleasant."

"A lovely, sophisticated bourbon bouquet comprising fruity, cornmeal aromas which are followed by a red fruit scent, all underpinned by an oaky vanilla quality. Entry is reserved, gently sweet and toffee-like; the midpalate features succulent tastes of light caramel, honeywheat bread, caramel corn and toasted almond. Concludes fruity and corny. The best value American whiskey in the marketplace." Best Buy. 85-89 pts.

"The first sniffings detect notes of black pepper and oak resin; aeration adds stone-dry scents of minerals, slate, and sage. The palate entry is lean, semisweet, intensely grainy, and satisfying; at midpalate the whiskey lies well on the tongue, sweet, grainy, medium plump, and spicy. Finishes spicy. A very solid rye whiskey that deserves a larger audience." 85-89 pts.