Tasting Scores

The SWC has scored each whiskey we have tasted since the end of 2016.

– About Scoring

Scoring is very subjective. Everyone’s palate is unique and there is no perfect answer. However, scoring has allowed the Saratoga Whiskey Club to keep track of those whiskies that have stood out over time. All scores are averaged by the number of attendees. We don’t throw out the high and low scores. The four sets of criteria include the Nose, the Palate, the Finish and the Balance. Each is worth a max of 25 points for a total combined max score of 100.

Below is a list of scores from our tastings from the last few years.

February 24, 2021

Michter's Whiskey Tasting

Average of 25 scores

Michter's American Whiskey

Nose: 21.42
Palate: 21
Finish: 21.25
Balance: 21.46
Total: 85.13

Michter's Sour Mash Whiskey

Nose: 21.46
Palate: 21.21
Finish: 21.25
Balance: 21.38
Total: 85.30

Michter's Bourbon Whiskey

Nose: 21.96
Palate: 22
Finish: 21.71
Balance: 21.79
Total: 87.46

Michter's Rye Whiskey

Nose: 22.04
Palate: 21.54
Finish: 21.5
Balance: 21.71
Total: 86.79

Shenk's Sour Mash Limited Edition 2020 Whiskey

Nose: 22.54
Palate: 22.13
Finish: 21.92
Balance: 21.92
Total: 88.51

Bomberger's Bourbon Limited Edition 2020 Whiskey

Nose: 22.76
Palate: 22.81
Finish: 22.52
Balance: 22.67
Total: 90.76

Michter's 10 Year Bourbon Whiskey

Nose: 22.7
Palate: 22.39
Finish: 22.48
Balance: 22.7
Total: 90.27

Michter's 10 Year Rye Whiskey

Nose: 22.44
Palate: 22.68
Finish: 22.72
Balance: 22.6
Total: 90.44

February 10, 2021

Rye Tasting

Average of 21 scores

Castle & Key Restoration Rye

Nose: 20.38
Palate: 20.86
Finish: 19.95
Balance: 20.24
Total: 81.43

MB Rowland Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Nose: 22.14
Palate: 21.19
Finish: 21.05
Balance: 21
Total: 85.38

Pinhook 4 Year Rye - Westport Whiskey & Wine Store Pick

Nose: 20.19
Palate: 20.86
Finish: 20.52
Balance: 20.9
Total: 82.47

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Strength Rye

Nose: 21
Palate: 21.43
Finish: 21.71
Balance: 21.52
Total: 85.66

NULU 7 Year Rye Whiskey - Party Source Store Pick

Nose: 21.38
Palate: 21.71
Finish: 21.86
Balance: 22.05
Total: 87

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye Whiskey

Nose: 22.57
Palate: 22.90
Finish: 22.86
Balance: 22.62
Total: 90.95

SMWS RW3.1 'Big, bold, fruity and spicy' NY Distilling 7 Year Rye

Nose: 22.48
Palate: 22.57
Finish: 22.57
Balance: 22.71
Total: 90.33

January 27, 2021

Westland American Single Malt

Average of 21 scores

Westland American Single Malt Whiskey - American Oak

Nose: 21.19
Palate: 21.38
Finish: 21.24
Balance: 21.19
Total: 85

Westland American Single Malt Whiskey - Sherry Wood

Nose: 21.71
Palate: 21.48
Finish: 21.24
Balance: 21.33
Total: 85.76

Westland American Single Malt Whiskey - The Peated

Nose: 21.33
Palate: 21.57
Finish: 21.81
Balance: 21.71
Total: 86.42

Westland American Single Malt Whiskey - Garryana 2019 Edition 4/1

Nose: 21.71
Palate: 22
Finish: 21.86
Balance: 21.9
Total: 87.47

Westland American Single Malt Whiskey - Garryana 2020 Edition 5/1

Nose: 21.81
Palate: 22.14
Finish: 22.1
Balance: 22.14
Total: 88.19

Westland American Single Malt Whiskey - Single Cask 2781 - New York Exclusive

Nose: 22.62
Palate: 22.81
Finish: 22.19
Balance: 22.62
Total: 90.24

January 20, 2021

A Campbeltown Celebration

Average of 16 scores

Glen Scotia 14 Year Campbeltown Festival 2020 Bottling

Nose: 22.07
Palate: 22.53
Finish: 22.4
Balance: 22.73
Total: 89.73

SMWS 93.128 'Smoke and smugglers' Glen Scotia 17 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 21.80
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.80

SMWS 93.140 'Bacon on a bonfire' Glen Scotia 17 Year Tasting Panel Experience

Nose: 22.6
Palate: 22.67
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 91.27

Springbank 12 Year Cask Strength

Nose: 21.94
Palate: 22.56
Finish: 22.44
Balance: 22.75
Total: 89.69

Springbank 12 Year Burgundy Cask

Nose: 22.81
Palate: 22.63
Finish: 22
Balance: 22.44
Total: 89.88

Springbank 14 Year Bourbon Wood

Nose: 22.88
Palate: 23.44
Finish: 23.44
Balance: 23.5
Total: 93.26

SMWS 27.113 'What a song and dance' Springbank 26 Year

Nose: 23.19
Palate: 23.56
Finish: 23.31
Balance: 23.81
Total: 93.87

December 30, 2020

American Whiskey

Average of 26 scores

Kyro Malted Rye Whisky

Nose: 20.21
Palate: 20.58
Finish: 20.83
Balance: 20.88
Total: 82.50

Penelope Straight Bourbon Whiskey - Rose Finish

Nose: 20.23
Palate: 20.35
Finish: 20.19
Balance: 20.58
Total: 81.35

Elijah Craig Straight Bourbon Whiskey - Toasted Barrel Finish

Nose: 21.42
Palate: 20.62
Finish: 20.38
Balance: 20.85
Total: 83.27

Knob Creek 12 Year Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Nose: 21.20
Palate: 21.04
Finish: 21.69
Balance: 21.81
Total: 85.74

SMWS RW2.1 American Rye Whiskey 'Out of the ordinary - in a very good way!'

Nose: 20.35
Palate: 20.77
Finish: 20.54
Balance: 20.58
Total: 82.24

SMWS B6.1 American Bourbon Whiskey 'Ginger-spiced sponge'

Nose: 20.96
Palate: 21.85
Finish: 21.81
Balance: 21.81
Total: 86.43

SMWS 142.1 American Single Malt Whiskey 'Made in New York, New York'

Nose: 21.56
Palate: 21.62
Finish: 21.31
Balance: 21.35
Total: 85.84

December 9, 2020

Ex-Red Wine Finish & First Fill Sherry

Average of 19 scores

SMWS 9.174 'Strawberry Jalapeno Ice Cream' - Glen Grant 15 Year

Nose: 22.42
Palate: 22.16
Finish: 21.89
Balance: 21.74
Total: 88.21

SMWS 66.161 'Chateau du pork scratching' Ardmore 13 Year

Nose: 22.37
Palate: 21.89
Finish: 21.32
Balance: 21.68
Total: 87.26

SMWS 95.37 'Adventurous African safari' Auchriosk 7 Year

Nose: 21.89
Palate: 21.74
Finish: 21.37
Balance: 21.32
Total: 86.32

SMWS 7.237 'Nutty by nature' - Longmorn 12 Year

Nose: 22.00
Palate: 22.37
Finish: 22.37
Balance: 22.21
Total: 88.95

SMWS 7.233 'A syrupy sweet tale of romance' - Longmorn 13 Year

Nose: 21.95
Palate: 22.37
Finish: 22.32
Balance: 22.37
Total: 89.01

SMWS 30.111 'Inferno Toffee Pudding' - Glenrothers 12 Year

Nose: 22.63
Palate: 22.58
Finish: 22.68
Balance: 22.63
Total: 90.52

November 4, 2020

Bruichladdich

Average of 13 scores

Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie

Nose: 21.17
Palate: 22.17
Finish: 22.00
Balance: 22.08
Total: 87.42

Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2010

Nose: 20.75
Palate: 21.25
Finish: 21.08
Balance: 21.25
Total: 84.33

Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2010

Nose: 21.58
Palate: 22.08
Finish: 22.17
Balance: 22.17
Total: 88.00

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Year

Nose: 22.31
Palate: 22.08
Finish: 21.92
Balance: 22.31
Total: 88.62

Bruichladdich Octomore 11.1

Nose: 23.54
Palate: 22.92
Finish: 23.00
Balance: 23.23
Total: 92.69

Bruichladdich Octomore 10 Year

Nose: 22.38
Palate: 22.77
Finish: 22.77
Balance: 22.85
Total: 90.77

October 28, 2020

Rum Finish and Single Cask Rum

Average of 15 scores

Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve

Nose: 19.46
Palate: 20.92
Finish: 20.15
Balance: 20.69
Total: 81.22

Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask

Nose: 20.92
Palate: 21.00
Finish: 21.23
Balance: 21.38
Total: 84.53

SMWS 9.172 "Quantum endramglement" Glen Grant 15 Year

Nose: 21.21
Palate: 22.43
Finish: 22.50
Balance: 22.14
Total: 88.28

SMWS 112.51 "Funky irie feeling" Loch Lomond 15 Year

Nose: 21.64
Palate: 21.57
Finish: 21.00
Balance: 21.50
Total: 85.71

SMWS R2.11 "Goat farms, esters and vinyl funk" Guyanese 16 Year Rum

Nose: 20.07
Palate: 21.53
Finish: 20.93
Balance: 20.60
Total: 83.13

SMWS R1.5 "A little extravagant" Jamaican 12 Year Rum

Nose: 20.27
Palate: 20.13
Finish: 20.40
Balance: 20.00
Total: 80.80

SMWS R8.7 "The volcanic spirit" Nicaraguan 14 Year Rum

Nose: 22.07
Palate: 22.60
Finish: 22.40
Balance: 22.53
Total: 89.60

October 14, 2020

Single Cask Nation

Average of 15 scores

Single Cask Nation Stones of Stenness 19 Year Orkney

Nose: 21.67
Palate: 22.07
Finish: 21.80
Balance: 22.27
Total: 87.81

Single Cask Nation Milk & Honey 2 Year

Nose: 21.13
Palate: 21.67
Finish: 21.27
Balance: 21.07
Total: 85.14

Single Cask Nation Blended Malt 10 Year

Nose: 21.60
Palate: 22.07
Finish: 21.20
Balance: 21.00
Total: 85.87

Single Cask Nation Aultmore 8 Year

Nose: 20.93
Palate: 21.53
Finish: 21.33
Balance: 21.53
Total: 85.32

Single Cask Nation Aultmore 30 Year

Nose: 21.93
Palate: 22.2
Finish: 21.87
Balance: 22.27
Total: 88.27

Single Cask Nation Ruadh Mohr 10 Year

Nose: 21.93
Palate: 22.13
Finish: 22.13
Balance: 21.93
Total: 88.12

September 23, 2020

Feis Ile 2020 Tasting

Average of 18 scores

Bunnahabhain 10 Year Old Particular

Nose: 21.65
Palate: 21.29
Finish: 21.35
Balance: 21.41
Total: 85.70

Caol Ila 16 Year Festival Release

Nose: 21.53
Palate: 21.41
Finish: 21.06
Balance: 21.29
Total: 85.29

Lagavulin 20 Year Festival Release

Nose: 22.76
Palate: 22.47
Finish: 22.47
Balance: 22.71
Total: 90.41

SMWS 3.314 Bowmore 15 Year 'Loungecore stave exoticism'

Nose: 23.12
Palate: 22.94
Finish: 22.18
Balance: 23.29
Total: 91.53

SMWS 29.270 Laphroaig 8 Year 'Collateral Drammage'

Nose: 21.76
Palate: 21.76
Finish: 21.29
Balance: 21.18
Total: 85.99

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2020 Festival Release

Nose: 21.88
Palate: 22.12
Finish: 22.06
Balance: 22
Total: 88.06

Port Charlotte 16 Year Festival Release

Nose: 22.44
Palate: 22.78
Finish: 22.56
Balance: 22.33
Total: 90.11

September 9, 2020

Teeling Whiskey Tasting

Average of 18 scores

Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey

Nose: 20.19
Palate: 20.25
Finish: 20.56
Balance: 20.56
Total: 81.56

Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey

Nose: 20.44
Palate: 20
Finish: 19.88
Balance: 20.44
Total: 80.76

Teeling Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Nose: 21.06
Palate: 21.06
Finish: 21.44
Balance: 21.25
Total: 84.81

Teeling Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Nose: 21.22
Palate: 20.89
Finish: 20.78
Balance: 20.83
Total: 83.72

Teeling Brabazon Series III Irish Whiskey

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22.11
Balance: 22.06
Total: 88.17

Teeling Single Cask Chestnut

Nose: 22
Palate: 22.56
Finish: 22.5
Balance: 22.5
Total: 89.56

August 26, 2020

Kaiyo Whisky Tasting

Average of 15 scores

Kaiyo Japanese Mizunara Oak

Nose: 20.6
Palate: 19.33
Finish: 20.4
Balance: 20.67
Total: 81.00

Kaiyo Japanese Mizunara Oak Cask Strength

Nose: 20.2
Palate: 20.27
Finish: 20.53
Balance: 20.00
Total: 81.00

Kaiyo 7 Year The Single

Nose: 21.07
Palate: 21.07
Finish: 20.73
Balance: 20.73
Total: 83.60

Kaiyo The Sheri 2nd Edition

Nose: 21.53
Palate: 22.33
Finish: 22.00
Balance: 21.93
Total: 87.79

Kaiyo The Peated 2nd Edition

Nose: 21.5
Palate: 21.57
Finish: 21.64
Balance: 21.5
Total: 86.21

August 2, 2020

Track Tasting

Average of 13 scores

Deanston 18 Year Bourbon Finish

Nose: 21.46
Palate: 22.15
Finish: 21.92
Balance: 22.31
Total: 87.84

SMWS Beachcomber 7 Year Blend

Nose: 21.54
Palate: 21.69
Finish: 21.31
Balance: 21.54
Total: 86.08

Old Pulteney 21 Year Gordon & MacPhail

Nose: 22.15
Palate: 22.15
Finish: 21.46
Balance: 22
Total: 87.76

Highland Park 24 Year Gordon & MacPhail

Nose: 21.92
Palate: 22.69
Finish: 21.77
Balance: 22.31
Total: 88.69

Glengoyne 20 Year Old Particular

Nose: 21.46
Palate: 21.69
Finish: 21.85
Balance: 21.69
Total: 86.69

SMWS 66.162 Ardmore 13 Year

Nose: 22.15
Palate: 22.31
Finish: 21.54
Balance: 21.62
Total: 87.62

SMWS 68.34 Blair Athol 10 Year Festival Release

Nose: 22.77
Palate: 22.77
Finish: 23.23
Balance: 22.31
Total: 91.08

July 15, 2020

Kilbeggan & Tyrconnell

Average of 21 scores

Kilbeggan Rye Irish Whiskey

Nose: 20.71
Palate: 20.33
Finish: 19.62
Balance: 19.86
Total: 80.52

Kilbeggan Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Nose: 19.62
Palate: 20.29
Finish: 20.1
Balance: 20
Total: 80.01

Tyrconnell 10 Year Port Finish Single Malt

Nose: 21.19
Palate: 20.71
Finish: 20.19
Balance: 21.14
Total: 83.23

Tyrconnell 10 Year Madeira Finish Single Malt

Nose: 22.81
Palate: 21.48
Finish: 21.48
Balance: 21.38
Total: 87.15

Tyrconnell 10 Year Sherry Finish Single Malt

Nose: 21
Palate: 21.24
Finish: 21.33
Balance: 21.29
Total: 84.86

July 8, 2020

Dusty Bourbons

Average of 19 scores

Uncle Nearest 100 Proof

Nose: 20.44
Palate: 21.19
Finish: 21.31
Balance: 21.31
Total: 84.25

Old Fitzgerald Prime Bourbon

Nose: 20.06
Palate: 19.59
Finish: 19.18
Balance: 19.76
Total: 78.59

Wild Turkey 1994 Tradition

Nose: 21.35
Palate: 21.65
Finish: 21.53
Balance: 21.41
Total: 85.94

Wild Turkey 8 Year Japanese Release 1980s

Nose: 22.11
Palate: 21.89
Finish: 21.39
Balance: 21.67
Total: 87.06

Wild Turkey 8 Year USA Release 1965

Nose: 22.06
Palate: 21.89
Finish: 22.33
Balance: 22.11
Total: 88.39

Wild Turkey 12 Year Japanese Release 1990s

Nose: 22.32
Palate: 22.84
Finish: 22.42
Balance: 22.63
Total: 90.21

Maker's Mark Limited Edition 1995 Japanese Release

Nose: 22.58
Palate: 22.37
Finish: 21.63
Balance: 22.21
Total: 88.79

June 24, 2020

Speyside Tasting

Average of 18 scores

Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba

Nose: 21.94
Palate: 22.22
Finish: 22.22
Balance: 22.28
Total: 88.66

SMWS 54.80 'Banana Mexicana' Aberlour 12 Year

Nose: 22.17
Palate: 23.22
Finish: 21.61
Balance: 22
Total: 89.00

Cadenheads Miltonduff 11 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 20.28
Finish: 19.89
Balance: 20.22
Total: 81.39

SMWS 1.217 'Mezzalunas at dawn' Glenfarclas 8 Year

Nose: 24.11
Palate: 22.44
Finish: 21.78
Balance: 22.28
Total: 90.61

SMWS 44.118 'Get your castanets clacking' Craigellachie 16 Year

Nose: 22.33
Palate: 22.33
Finish: 22.5
Balance: 22.61
Total: 89.77

SMWS 44.117 'Happiness is a warm bung' Craigellachie 8 Year

Nose: 21.78
Palate: 22.61
Finish: 22.39
Balance: 22
Total: 88.78

SMWS 36.171 'A smooth ride' Benrinnes 22 Year

Nose: 22.56
Palate: 23.06
Finish: 22.78
Balance: 23.39
Total: 91.79

June 10, 2020

Penelope Bourbon Tasting

Average of 18 scores

Penelope Bourbon

Nose: 19.61
Palate: 19.61
Finish: 18.88
Balance: 19.77
Total: 77.87

Penelope Bourbon Barrel Strength

Nose: 20.77
Palate: 21.05
Finish: 20.61
Balance: 20.88
Total: 83.31

Penelope Bourbon Oloroso Sherry Finish

Nose: 20.72
Palate: 21.16
Finish: 20.72
Balance: 20.72
Total: 83.32

Penelope Bourbon PX Sherry Finish

Nose: 21.22
Palate: 21.38
Finish: 21.16
Balance: 23.44
Total: 87.20

May 13, 2020

Clyde May's Tasting

Average of 23 scores

Clyde May's Original Alabama Style Whiskey

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 21
Total: 81.12

Clyde May's Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Nose: 19
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 79.44

Clyde May's Straight Rye Whiskey

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 79.42

Clyde May's Special Reserve 110 Proof

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 88

Clyde May's Cask Strength Alabama Style Whiskey

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 82.91

Clyde May's Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 85.14

April 15, 2020

American Whiskey

Average of 21 scores

High Wire Distilling Revival Rye

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84

Michter's Toasted Barrel Sour Mash

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 83.90

St. George's Baller Single Malt

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 21
Balance: 20
Total: 81.86

Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Bourbon

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 21
Total: 85.71

Maker's Mark RC6 Limited Release

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 88.62

Westward Astor Pick Single Malt

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 83.95

Larceny Barrel Proof

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 88.10

April 1, 2020

SMWS Releases for April

Average of 15 scores

SMWS 26.132 Clynelish 9 Year 'Krupnik and amaretti'

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 85.27

SMWS 93.120 Glen Scotia 14 Year 'Cocoa and coal'

Nose: 22
Palate: 21
Finish: 20
Balance: 21
Total: 84.13

SMWS 59.59 Teaninich 10 Year 'Spock's earwax'

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 85.67

SMWS 1.215 Glenfarclas 15 Year 'Formidable chocolate'

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 87.47

SMWS 28.43 Tullibardine 11 Year 'Muscle-toned heft and punch'

Nose: 22
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 83.80

SMWS 53.310 Caol Ila 10 Year 'Kippers in slippers'

Nose: 21
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 21
Total: 82.47

March 4, 2020

SMWS Releases for March

Average of 27 scores

SMWS 71.66 Glenburgie 7 Year 'Farmyard feedback loop'

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 79.56

SMWS 55.57 Royal Brackla 10 Year 'Digging up ginger'

Nose: 18
Palate: 20
Finish: 19
Balance: 18
Total: 76.04

SMWS 6.32 Macduff 12 Year 'Knickerbockers at a wedding'

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 80

SMWS 72.79 Miltonduff 11 Year 'Chocolate Bourbons'

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 83.48

SMWS 44.116 Craigellachie 8 Year 'Pirate ship in a storm'

Nose: 17
Palate: 17
Finish: 18
Balance: 17
Total: 69.79

SMWS 46.84 Glenlossie 17 Year 'Sipping from a velvet Tardis'

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 85.58

SMWS 93.119 Glen Scotia 11 Year 'Charcoal in a honeypot'

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 85.64

SMWS 16.42 Glenturret 9 Year 'Top note of covfefe'

Nose: 22
Palate: 21
Finish: 22
Balance: 21
Total: 85.90

February 19, 2020

The Whisky Hoop Independent Bottlings

Average of 19 scores

Talisker 6 Year

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 81.79

Arran 16 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 23
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 89.00

Clynelish 23 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 90.11

Glendronach 22 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.74

Tobermory 11 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 87.26

Bunnahabhain 4 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.32

January 8, 2020

Single Cask Irish Whiskey Tasting

Average of 15 scores

Red Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.73

Writers Tears Mizunara Cask Finish

Nose: 22
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 86.40

Clonakilty Single Grain Single Cask Bourdeaux Finish

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 80.20

Redbreast Gordon's Single Cask

Nose: 22
Palate: 23
Finish: 22
Balance: 23
Total: 90.00

Teeling Handfill Single Cask Sherry

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 85.60

December 18, 2019

Blind Bottled In Bond Tasting

Average of 27 scores

Early Times Bottled In Bond

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 20
Total: 81.70

JTS Brown Bottled In Bond

Nose: 21
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 80.52

Colonel EH Taylor Small Batch Bottled In Bond

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.15

Barton's 1792 Bottled In Bond

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 81.00

George Dickel Bottled In Bond

Nose: 19
Palate: 19
Finish: 19
Balance: 20
Total: 76.48

Old Grand Dad Bottled In Bond

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 80.04

November 6, 2019

SMWS November Releases

Average of 21 scores

SMWS 64.111 - Mannochmore 8 Yr

Nose: 19
Palate: 20
Finish: 19
Balance: 19
Total: 76.90

SMWS 44.114 - Craigellachie 12 Yr

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 83.38

SMWS 9.167 - Glen Grant 23 Yr

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 86.14

SMWS 16.39 - Glenturret 18 Yr

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 84.48

SMWS 73.114 - Aultmore 17 Yr

Nose: 18
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 77.33

SMWS 10.176 - Bunnahabhain 11 Yr

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 88.86

October 23, 2019

Irish Luxury Tasting

Average of 20 scores

Redbreast 21 Year

Nose: 23
Palate: 22
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 91.25

Teeling 24 Year

Nose: 23
Palate: 23
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 92.35

Celtic Cask 27

Nose: 23
Palate: 23
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 92.35

Cadenhead's Cooley 11 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 88.75

The Irishman Cask Strength

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 88.35

Dingle Founding Father's The Palace Bar

Nose: 23
Palate: 23
Finish: 22
Balance: 23
Total: 90.67

September 11, 2019

Coastal Scotland Tour

Average of 17 scores

Talisker Distillery Exclusive

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 86.28

Wolfburn From The Stills

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 19
Balance: 20
Total: 81.72

Ardnamurchan 2 Year Warehouse Selection

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 85.22

Longmorn 13 Year Single Cask

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.76

Highland Park 18 Year Cask Strength

Nose: 22
Palate: 23
Finish: 23
Balance: 24
Total: 93.06

Ledaig 21 Year Port Pipe Finish

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.35

August 14, 2019

Annual Club Dinner - Cask Finishes

Average of 24 scores

Writers Tears Florio Marsala Cask Finish

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 22
Balance: 21
Total: 84.75

Sagamore Spirit Port Finished Rye

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 22
Balance: 21
Total: 83.92

Highland Park Twisted Tattoo 16 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 88.23

Bardstown Bourbon's Phifer Pavitt Reserve

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.83

Limestone Branch Yellowstone 2018 Limited Edition

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 81.00

July 28, 2019

Track Tasting

Average of 10 scores

Dingle Single Malt Irish Whiskey Batch #4

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 86.10

Barton's 1792 Full Proof Bourbon - Gordon's store pick

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 88.10

Balblair 2005 Single Cask - Gordon's store pick

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 85.60

The Macallan Edition #4

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.22

The Glenlivet Enigma

Nose: 21
Palate: 23
Finish: 23
Balance: 22
Total: 88.44

Kavalan Ex-Bourbon Single Cask - Gordon's store pick

Nose: 22
Palate: 23
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 89.11

June 26, 2019

Feis Ile 2019

Average of 18 scores

Bunnahabhain 17 Year Sauternes Finish Feis Ile 2019

Nose: 22
Palate: 23
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 90.17

Bowmore 15 Year Ex-Bourbon Feis Ile 2019

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.00

Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength Feis Ile 2019

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 85.44

Lagavulin 19 Year Feis Ile 2019

Nose: 22
Palate: 23
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 90.94

Caol Ila 22 Year Feis Ile 2019

Nose: 23
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 89.33

Octomore Event Horizon Feis Ile 2019

Nose: 23
Palate: 23
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 93.17

June 19, 2019

Kentucky Finds!

Average of 20 scores

Four Roses Small Batch Select

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 86.70

Limestone Branch 100% Malted Rye

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.30

Wilderness Trail Cask Strength Rye

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 80.45

Peerless 3YR Rye Single Barrel "Orange Blossom"

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.15

Michters Fort Nelson Reserve Rye

Nose: 22
Palate: 23
Finish: 22
Balance: 23
Total: 89.20

Pinhook Justin's House of Bourbon Pick

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 88.16

William Heavenhill 12 Year

Nose: 23
Palate: 24
Finish: 23
Balance: 24
Total: 94.13

April 10 & 25, 2019

For Peat's Sake

Average of 26 scores

Glenfiddich Fire & Cane

Nose: 21
Palate: 20
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 82.27

Ancnoc Cutter

Nose: 19
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 81.69

Kaiyo The Peated

Nose: 19
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 21
Total: 79.19

Port Charlotte 10 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 86.81

SMWS 10.118 'Enthralling pink and peat intensity' Bunnahabhain 10 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 88.35

March 27, 2109

SMWS Vertical Tasting - Glen Grant

Average of 16 scores

SMWS 9.147 'Cocktails in a coalmine'

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.00

SMWS 9.148 'Mustard, custard and musk'

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 20
Balance: 21
Total: 83.06

SMWS 9.155 'Witches' night'

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 86.63

SMWS 9.152 'Mindful savouring'

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.69

SMWS 9.150 'Thyme well spent'

Nose: 22
Palate: 23
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 89.25

February 6 & 13, 2019

Japanese Whisky Tasting

Average of 27 scores

Yamazaki 12 Year

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 21
Total: 81.19

Hakushu 12 Year

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 82.56

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Masters Select

Nose: 19
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 78.56

Nikka Tsuru

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 83.30

Ichiro's Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 84.78

Mar Komagatake Limited Edition 2018

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 80.89

Akashi Eigashima Sake Cask 3 Year

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 21
Balance: 20
Total: 81.52

Nikka From The Barrel

Nose: 19
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 20
Total: 81.22

Kaiyo Cask Strength

Nose: 19
Palate: 19
Finish: 19
Balance: 19
Total: 75.67

January 9 & 23, 2019

Great Bourbons

Average of 30 scores

Weller 12 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.50

Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 20
Total: 82.53

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch #11, Spring 2016

Nose: 23
Palate: 23
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 91.17

SMWS B5.1 “Sheer Brilliance” – Dickel 13 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 85.50

Wild Turkey ‘Revival’

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.43

December 5, 2018

Luxury Tasting

Average of 16 scores

Craigellachie 23 Year

Nose: 23
Palate: 23
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 92.19

Distiller’s Art Bunnahabhain 27 Year

Nose: 23
Palate: 24
Finish: 24
Balance: 23
Total: 93.63

Bruichladdich Private Single Cask 9 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.44

Edradour Single Cask 14 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 23
Balance: 22
Total: 89.19

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique

Nose: 23
Palate: 23
Finish: 24
Balance: 23
Total: 92.94

October 24 & November 28, 2018

Tour of Scotland 2018

Average of 19 scores

Balblair ’91 – 27 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.79

Singleton Glen Ord 14 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.47

Gordon & MacPhail Glenturret 14 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 88.74

The Arran Wee Double

Nose: 19
Palate: 20
Finish: 19
Balance: 19
Total: 77.58

Aberlour Hand-Fill Sherry 13 Year

Nose: 22
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 85.37

Tomatin Hand-Fill Pedro Ximenez 16 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 86.79

September 5 & 12, 2018

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Blind Tasting

Average of 11 scores

SMWS 100.14 – Strathmill 12 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.09

SMWS 73.98 – Aultmore 17 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 20
Balance: 22
Total: 84.82

SMWS 36.145 – Benrinnes 20 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.55

SMWS 39.130 – Linkwood 26 Year

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 84.27

SMWS 26.121 – Clynelish 13 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.36

SMWS 112.27 – Loch Lomond 13 Year

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 84.55

August 8, 2018

Annual SWC Dinner – BBQ & Bourbon

Average of 24 scores

Barton’s 1792 Full Proof – Loch & Key Pick

Nose: 22
Palate: 23
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 89.17

Weller Special Reserve

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 85.33

Rebel Yell Single Barrel 10 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 83.21

David Nicholson Reserve

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 85.28

Michter’s Toasted Barrel Rye

Nose: 23
Palate: 22
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 90.12

July 28, 2018

Track Tasting

Average of 9 scores

Aberlour A-Bunadh (Batch 62)

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 82.11

Glengoyne Cask Strength

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 83.33

Benromach (Gordon’s Single Cask)

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84

The Macallan, Edition #3

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 23
Total: 86.89

The Glenlivet Code (5 scores)

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 23
Balance: 23
Total: 88

March 14 & 28, 2018

2017 Award Winners

Average of 28 scores

Glenmorangie Astar

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.74

Redbreast 12 Cask Strength

Nose: 22
Palate: 23
Finish: 22
Balance: 23
Total: 88.93

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (Batch B517)

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 86.26

Kentucky Owl 11 Year Rye

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 86.58

January 31, 2018

Oyster-Paired Whiskey Dinner at Henry Street Taproom

Average of 13 scores

Talisker Distiller’s Edition 2015

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 84.69

Glenmorangie Nectar D’or

Nose: 21
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 21
Total: 82

Teeling Single Cask Carcavelos

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 85

Jefferson’s Ocean-Aged Small Batch Bourbon

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 86

Oban 14

Nose: 22
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 85.85

December 13, 2017 & January 3, 2018

Blend Tasting & Workshop

Average of 16 scores

Chivas Regal 18 Year

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 79.33

Johnny Walker Blade Runner Limited Edition

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 82.33

Compass Box The Lost Blend

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 82.40

The Exclusive Blends 1991 Edition 21 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 86.27

November 1, 2, 21, & 24, 2017

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Tasting

Average of 22 scores

SMWS 41.89 ‘Tarte Flambe’ Dailuaine 12 Year

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 80.36

SMWS 37.83 ‘An odyssey of flavor’ Cragganmore 12 Year

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 21
Total: 81.18

SMWS 55.31 ‘Sparkling, lively and playful’ Royal Brackla 17 Year

Nose: 19
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 80.05

SMWS 36.114 ‘Tap-dancing tongue teaser’ Benrinnes 13 Year

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 21
Total: 80.59

SMWS 54.42 ‘A washing day in Spring’ Aberlour 9 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 20
Finish: 19
Balance: 20
Total: 80.77

SMWS 46.45 ‘A two-way street’ Glenlossie 23 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 20
Total: 83.05

SMWS 48.74 ‘Coffee kisses and lucky tatties’ Balmenach 10 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 20
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 82.29

SMWS 73.79 ‘Hopped-Up!’ Aultmore 16 Year

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.81

October 11 & October 25, 2017

Islay Exclusives

Average of 25 scores

Lagavulin Jazz 2017 Distillery Exclusive

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 82.04

Ardbeg An Oa

Nose: 19
Palate: 18
Finish: 18
Balance: 19
Total: 73.84

Caol Ila 2017 Distillery Exclusive

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 83.00

Laphroaig Brodir Travel Exclusive

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.52

Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2017 Moine Port Pipe Finish

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.32

Kilchoman Single Cask Rum Finish Distillery Exclusive

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 83.32

Bowmore Warehousemens Selection

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 88.48

Port Charlotte Valince, Cask Exploration 16

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 85.42

Port Charlotte Valince, Cru Claret Finish

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 81.00

September 13, 2017

World Whiskey Dinner

Average of 30 scores

Kavalan Single Cask Ex-Bourbon Cask Strength

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.97

Paul John Classic Cask Strength

Nose: 19
Palate: 19
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 77.21

Mackmyra 1st Edition

Nose: 18
Palate: 18
Finish: 19
Balance: 19
Total: 74.17

New Zealand Whisky Co 24Yr

Nose: 22
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 87.03

Domaine De Hautes Glaces

Nose: 20
Palate: 18
Finish: 18
Balance: 18
Total: 73.72

June 14 & June 28, 2017

Kentucky Bourbon & Rye

Average of 32 scores

Old Bardstown Bottled In Bond

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 19
Total: 78.09

Maker’s Mark Private Select – Bill Samuels, Jr. Edition

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 80.19

Old Fitzgerald 12 Year Old

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 85.31

Wild Turkey Masters Keep ‘Decades’

Nose: 21
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 81.09

Angel’s Envy Rye

Nose: 22
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.77

May 10 & May 24, 2017

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Tasting

Average of 23 scores

SMWS 7.133 “A Bag Of Boiled Sweets” Longmorn 12 Year Old

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 79.83

SMWS 39.110 “Builders At Breaktime” Linkwood 14 Year Old

Nose: 20
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 82.78

SMWS 121.89 “Sweet As A Nut” Arran 16 Year Old

Nose: 20
Palate: 22
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.48

SMWS 44.65 “Subtle Complexity” Craigellachie 24 Year Old

Nose: 22
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 85.17

April 12 & April 26, 2017

Scotch Islands Tasting

Average of 28 scores

Arran Smuggler’s Series: The Illicit Stills, Volume I

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 21
Total: 80.61

Arran Smuggler’s Series: The High Seas, Volume II

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 21
Total: 80.68

Montgomerie’s Rare Select Tobermory 21 Year Old

Nose: 19
Palate: 20
Finish: 19
Balance: 20
Total: 77.89

Talisker 18 Year Old

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 22
Total: 84.64

Gordon & MacPhail Highland Park 15 Year Old Cask Strength

Nose: 21
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 84.86

February 15 & March 1, 2017

Rye Whiskey Tasting

Average of 27 scores

Ironweed Rye

Nose: 17
Palate: 18
Finish: 19
Balance: 19
Total: 73.22

Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye

Nose: 19
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 79.63

Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye

Nose: 19
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 79.70

Redemption Rye 8 Yr Barrel Proof

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 21
Balance: 20
Total: 80.81

High West Midwinter Night’s Dram

Nose: 21
Palate: 22
Finish: 22
Balance: 22
Total: 85.81

December 14, 2016

Islay Tasting

Average of 13 scores

Bowmore Devil’s Cask, Batch III

Nose: 19
Palate: 18
Finish: 18
Balance: 18
Total: 72.62

Kilchoman 100% Islay, 4th Edition

Nose: 17
Palate: 17
Finish: 16
Balance: 17
Total: 67.62

Ardbeg Perpetuum

Nose: 20
Palate: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20
Total: 79.92

Laphroaig Lore

Nose: 19
Palate: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 21
Total: 83.54

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