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For each issue of Whisky Advocate, our editors select great value bottles with solid scores, friendly prices, and wide availability from our Buying Guide. Here are our editors' picks for the Winter 2023 issue—a nice mix that includes bourbon, rye, scotch, and Irish whiskey. Some reasonably good bargains are to be found there, something that's getting tougher to find in today's whisky world. But all are high-scoring top-flight expressions that are well worth a buy.
94 Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Sauternes and Toasted Oak Barrel Finished (Batch RC1) Rye, 57.2%, $270
The nose is spiced and chocolaty, complemented by a lovely backbone of fruit—strawberries and cream, juicy peach, apple cider doughnut, and hibiscus tea. The palate is wonderfully textured, and while it’s hot, once the heat subsides, dark chocolate raspberry squares, black forest cake, and endless cinnamon emerge. The finish keeps a good thing going, redolent with black raspberry ice cream, cortado coffee, and rich chocolate.—Julia Higgins
94 Blackadder Black Snake Vat No. 2 Sixth Venom Highland Single Malt Scotch, 59.9%, $75
Butterscotch, the earthiness of dried leaves and wet wool, with whiffs of mint and orange on an oak-restrained nose; you can spend lots of time on it. The palate is filled with enticing flavors, led by orange peel and delectable spice. A very long finish, with orange once again coming to the fore. Water enhances the sweetness, spice, and fruitiness that all come together very well to create a top-flight whisky.—David Fleming
94 Compass Box Art & Decadence Blended Scotch, 49%, $180
The nose is seductively enticing, with caramel, toasted coconut, vanilla pod, red apple, rich chocolate cake, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cumin. Dried fruit, milk chocolate, and lively spices on the palate, with clove, cocoa, coffee, dark chocolate, black cherry, and a perfectly ripe raspberry note. Golden caramel, chocolate pudding, espresso, and toasted oak on the finish, with greater fruitiness unlocked by adding a spot of water. A truly delicious blend. (9,126 bottles)—Jonny McCormick
94 Glencadam 18 year old Highland Single Malt Scotch, 46%, $185
Tropical on the nose: pineapple, orange peel, and lemon; overall citrusy, pleasantly dry, and reserved. Sweetness on a beautifully textured palate of vanilla cream, lemon, baking spice, and a hint of jalapeño pepper. Very long on the finish, with honey and more vanilla, barley sugar, coconut, and malt, all balanced and lightly spiced. Absent from the market for three years, this is now back as a permanent expression in the portfolio.—David Fleming
93 Ardray Blended Scotch, 48%, $85
Delicate, complex, and exceptionally layered, it’s light and creamy on the nose with vanilla sponge, chopped orange peel, lemon meringue pie, peppermint, and hints of iodine, brine, and antiseptic. Citrus, vanilla custard, and crème brûlée to taste, it’s smoky and spicy under the tongue, with tangerine peel, dried apricot, caramelized sugar, peach jam, and dried mango strips. A rich, satisfying finish of stone fruits, roasted spice, and chocolate. What a joy.—Jonny McCormick
93 Mary Dowling Barrel Strength Toasted Double Oak Barrel Bourbon, 53.5%, $130
A dark berry bouquet rises from the glass—blackberry coulis, raisins, quince paste, and mixed berry Pop-Tart mingle with baking spice and buttercream frosting. Fruit flavors persist on the palate, with cherry pie, grape jelly, and Raisinets in full force. Black forest cake and hot cinnamon spice are a mouthwatering addition. Water takes some of that heat off while bringing more espresso and molten lava cake to the fore, making it a definite win for dessert lovers This one outdid the other Mary Dowling release of this summer—the tequiila barrel finish—although that whiskey did score 90 points.—Julia Higgins
93 Still Austin Cask Strength Rye, 58%, $65
Still Austin’s 2 year old rye comes screaming out of the glass with a nose full of black pepper, dried herbs, and cracked leather. On the palate it’s even louder, delivering sweet tea, mint-chocolate chip ice cream, and dusty oak, all supported by French toast and macerated berries. Despite the rye’s high proof and intense aromas and flavors, the heat is kept in check, finishing slowly with vanilla, bitter oak, and baking chocolate.—Shane English
93 Two Stacks Single Pot Still Cabernet Franc Ice Wine Finish Irish Single Pot Still, 56%, $90
The nose is heady and concentrated with cherry, ripe strawberries, pink rhubarb, and perfumed soaps. It’s velvety textured with an explosion of cherry, summer red berries, and pot still spices. More concentrated flavors of strawberries and sweet vanilla emerge as the spices fade, allowing the single pot still qualities to be laid bare in all their glory. This is an epic cask strength Irish whiskey.—Jonny McCormick
92 Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Toasted Barrel Finish Rye (Barrel No. 23G2641), 54.6%, $120
Fresh, grainy, and earthy on the nose, along with caramel and warm oak influence. The palate is spicy, balanced, and powerful, with baking spice, cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, and chile powder. A subtle earthiness on the finish is followed by more chocolate and spice, along with well-integrated fruit. Full-bodied, full-flavored, and balanced by flavorful oak. A superb sipper, and one with a spine that could also stand up in any cocktail. Another tour de force from the Michter’s US*1 series.—David Fleming
