Herewith a selection from Whisky Advocate's editors of recent releases that we've deemed the most impressive, based on score, price, and availability. This round of Editors’ Choice selections include a blended malt scotch, a single malt scotch, an Irish single pot still, two American single malts and more. Check out the Buying Guide for a complete list of whiskies reviewed in the Summer 2023 issue.
93 Compass Box Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story Blended Malt Scotch, 56.7%, $125
Salty kelp, mild antiseptic, lemon oils, ground black pepper, smoked mackerel, vanilla ice cream, warm cinnamon, and heavy peat smoke assault the nose. Sweet cookie dough, lemon, mixed spice, pepper, clove, ground almond, burnt butter, and a powerful peppery phase with toffee, banana, vanilla, and cinnamon in its wake. Soaring in intensity, there’s solace in bringing down the strength; pear, green apple, more smoke, and creamy vanilla are the compensation.
93 Green Spot Quails’ Gate Irish Single Pot Still, 46%, $70
With a delicate blush color from the pinot noir casks, this is a confident whiskey led by pot still spiciness. A nose of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove is balanced with green apple, strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. Warm, juicy flavors of red apple, cranberry sauce, and cherry are present on its weighty and chewy texture. Pepper, clove, nutmeg, and crushed seashells offer a hint of salinity that cries out for a cheese pairing.
93 Westland Garryana 7th Edition American Single Malt, 50%, $150
This annual limited release from Seattle-based Westland Distillery is made using some Washington-grown malt in its mashbill. Aging includes time spent in locally sourced oak, and it’s finished in barrels that previously held red wine from Washington state. A stewed apple aroma pulls you in. A sip shows some smoke, alluring black cherry, cola, and salt, along with a bit of tropical fruit, like mango. The tannins here are delicate and inviting, and the finish smacks of tea and whole wheat bread.
Beyond the Editors' Choice selections, additional impressive whiskies considering score, price, and availability were reviewed in the Summer 2023 issue. Here's just a sampling.
95 Hakata 12 year old Sherry Cask Japanese Single Malt, 42%, $100Fleeting vegetal aromas of bok choy, with ground ginger, coffee bean, and marron glacé. The umami is strong on this one, but there’s balance on the nose from black forest gateau notes and a hint of oak astringency. Raisin and black cherry flavors draw on a deep pool of umami notes, with soy sauce, shredded ginger, balsamic vinegar, plain chocolate, and a growing presence of oak tannins.
93 Glenmorangie A Tale of The Forest Highland Scotch Single Malt, 46%, $105Barbecue lovers will find refuge in this whisky, which smells like a Fourth of July party—there are burnt ends, mesquite smoke, charcoal grill, brisket, and grilled corn husks. A hint of strawberry sweetness balances out these meaty, smoky flavors. The palate is surprisingly fruity, with strong notes of raspberry coulis, ripe red berries, and orange scone. Long-lasting spice, cooling menthol, and rooibos tea on the finish complete this winding, mouthwatering journey.
93 Teeling Wonders of Wood Second Edition Virgin Portuguese Oak Irish Single Pot Still, 50%, $100No easy feat to balance single pot still flavors with full virgin oak cask maturation, but Teeling nailed it here, and produced an interesting whiskey to boot. Dark, spicy, and full of intrigue, the nose brings dark toffee, Nutella, cacao, hot pepper, clove, dried citrus slice, leather, and dunnage floors. Weighty and complex with flavors of chocolate, Brazil nut, pepper, baked citrus, stewed fruit, clove, nutmeg, and coffee grounds.
91 Sea Fog American Single Malt, 45%, $75
Sea salt and a pleasant maritime tang start off on the nose, as this Newport, Rhode Island distiller displays its seaside origins. There are also hints of lilac and grape hard candy on this very fragrant nose. The palate is polished and well-integrated, with bright citrus and hints of malt, vanilla, and balanced oak. ABV is just 45%, but add water and the flavors expand even more, providing some very pleasant sipping.
