5 | Spirits | Whiskey, $10 to $20 | Page 4

"Golden color. Buttery oak and caramel aromas. Round and soft entry. Dry light to-medium body with lean oak, taffy, and spice notes. Finishes with a dried fruit and oaky spice fade with a nice touch of heat."

"The early fragrance emits subtle, almost floral/fruity scents of banana, matted rose petals, field grasses and marzipan; aeration releases deeper aromas, especially oaky vanillin, sautéed butter, deep-fried pork rind and buttered sweet corn. Palate entry is semisweet, oaky and honeyed; at midpalate, toffee and light caramel tastes merge with the gentle bite of spirit. Finishes lean, off-dry and regal. The best whiskey value in the world, bar none. Best Buy." 96-100 pts.

"Very soft aromas of roasted hazelnut, white chocolate, and a hint of coffee bean follow through on a supple, soft entry leads to an oily, dryish medium body with cream and pepper notes. Finishes with warming balanced fade with sea salt and powdered sugar. Nice."

"The somewhat sloppy bouquet features undirected caramel corn and marshmallow scents with moderately complex aromas of nut paste, pastry dough, yeast and dry breakfast cereal. Entry improves matters as appetizing tastes of bacon fat and corn meal dominate; the midpalate improves even further as the oak balances the grain tastes. Ends with a dash of fire." 85-89 pts.

"The bouquet features deep notes of butterscotch, nougat, almond paste and light vanilla. The palate entry offers succulent flavors of almond paste, candy and oaky vanilla; the midpalate is woody, caramel-like, with hints of dried yellow fruit, white pepper and spice. Finishes balanced, sweet and oaky." 90-95 pts.