New Whisky Ratings: Wild Turkey, Jack Daniel's, Old Pulteney, Very Olde St Nick, and Laws

Here for your reading pleasure are some of the latest scores and reviews from the Whisky Advocate tasting panel. The art of barrel finishing stands front and center on this list, with the inclusion of high-scoring expressions finished in rum, tequila, and pineau des charentes casks. Another thread is the art of aging, as Very Old St Nick takes its place among some of the best-aged bourbons, and Colorado distiller Laws Whiskey House has offered its oldest wheat whiskey yet, at 7 years of age. These entries represent just some of our reviews and ratings, all of which will be published in our Buying Guide in the Fall issue.

96 Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Voyage, 53%, $275

The first rum cask expression in Wild Turkey’s history, done in collaboration with Dr. Joy Spence of Jamaica’s Appleton Estate. This Master’s Keep expression is an absolute stunner, though a bit more pricey than previous editions. The Master’s Keep 2017 expression Decades, retailed at $150, and then prices crept up to $200 before this year’s big leap. But it’s very much worth the hit if you can afford it. Tasting notes: A well-balanced palate of rich chocolate, brown sugar, honey, cherries, and herbs, followed by a lengthy finish of tobacco leaf, mellow spice, and deep chocolate.

94 Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Selection #11 Añejo Tequila Finished, 45% $42/375ml

Jack Daniel, traditional to its core, continues to show its creative side. This time it’s gone boldly forth into the realm of tequila-cask finishing. The casks are likely from Jack’s sister company, the renowned Casa Herradura. Tasting notes: Graceful, floral, and tropical notes of lime and lemon blossom. Slightly salty, but mainly creamy, with vanilla, ripe banana, and brown sugar melding with more citrus. The spice from the tequila barrel finish is noted, but it’s a smooth ride rather than more tart. A tequila finish might not sound appealing to everyone, but this one is artful. There is one hitch: it's a limited release, available at the distillery and selected Tennessee retailers.

92 Old Pulteney The Coastal Series: Pineau Des Charentes, 46%, $80

From the town of Wick at the top of Scotland’s Northern Highlands, Old Pulteney is a favorite of many scotch whisky lovers. This limited edition is finished in casks from Pineau des Charentes, the French aperitif from western France. Tasting notes: Flavors of lime and lots of dry minerality and salinity in keeping with the house style, but an unusual palate is tropical, rich, and viscous, with generous spice. The finish is long, smooth, and chocolaty, with more citrus. A great balance of new and unusual flavors.

92 Very Olde St Nick Immaculata Ancient Cask, 59.05% $259

From Preservation Distillery, a 40-acre estate in Bardstown, Kentucky, owned by California liquor wholesaler Marci Palatella. The distillery has a small pot still, though it also specializes in aging sourced whiskeys. Tasting notes: Mellow, pleasant, and beautifully aged. Honey, cinnamon-sprinkled French toast, dried strawberries, and herb garden, with a long finish of creamy chocolate, cigar wrapper, a sprinkling of white pepper, and perfectly balanced sweetness. Very tasty—almost as pricey as the latest Master’s Keep, but tempting nonetheless.

91 Laws Whiskey House Centennial Bonded Straight Wheat 7 year old (Batch No. 5), 50%, $80

A bonded wheat whiskey, and the oldest bonded release to date from this Colorado distiller. Tasting notes: Chalky at first on the palate, but gives way to notes of gingerbread cookie, sassafras, and pepper spice. Creaminess develops, and it’s well structured. Good length on the finish, with fruity notes of red berries. Sweetness meets dryness and spice with superb integration. (Distillery only)