12.17.24
TOP 15 of 2024
With Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 just being released, we figured we would do our own little list. This is a list complied by Ylli and Long, so you’re going to see a trend here. We have excluded our barrel picks to cancel out any biases. Without further ado, here’s our inaugural top 15 whiskies list:
#1 Bruichladdich 18 Year | 50.00% ABV
Wow. #1 and #2 on this list was a very hard one for us to decide. But after having BRU18 multiple times…it shot to the top. While it’s mentioned that the primary casks are made up of ex-bourbon, the Sauternes and Port mini marriage is significantly there, much of the tropical fruit and melon notes that we all associate with Bruichladdich’s juice. The palate and finish screams layers of; peaches, blueberries and stone fruits. Black Arts Jr. as we call it. An absolutely steal for the price.
#2 Arran Renegade Remnant ED.1 | 46.00% ABV
Complexity. We remembered when this was first released, we didn’t love the price tag, as it was 2x of all their other expressions. However, after having the dram after being in the shop for a month…it was a mistake not to pick this one up sooner. Some of the oldest juice from the Arran distillery, and it really shines through. An absolute rollercoaster as you guess if there’s more sherry or ex-bourbon influence. The palate is really the talking point as it tastes like milk after you had Raisin Bran cereal, which then shifts to mandarin oranges blended into white chocolate. There is a wild subtle spice that you may associate with rye on the finish as well. Truly a dram to savor slowly.
#3 Johnnie Walker Blue Elusive Umami ED | 43.00% ABV
Not your typical JW Blue. This collaboration with Japanese chef Kei Kobayashi and Emma Walker really is a showcase of the blending craft. With something being tagged ‘umami’ it really does deliver on that promise. Red berries, miso, grilled pineapple, saline, minerality into a long sweet fruity finish- it’s all there. It was wild when we first had it. Eel. Yes, the barbecue of the sea. This really was unagi in whisky form. Sweet, silky, saline, savory. This was absolutely the dram to round off the top three.
#4 Nikka Nine Decades | 48.00% ABV
‘This s**t better be good.’ For the price and rarity, it sure is. Few will ever be able to try this as it was an extremely limited release, but it’s currently open at Fiori D’Italia. Some of the oldest, we mean oldest-oldest, juice from the Nikka distilleries. This dram will have you shift from thinking it’s single malt to single grain, questioning if this is more Miyagikyo or Yoichi.
#5 Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu US ED 2024 | 52.50% ABV
Japan, always comin’ in hot. The annual limited US Edition from Ichiro’s Malt. This year, it’s unpeated. We were weary on what an unpeated Chichibu would taste like, but as always, the juice speaks for itself. The nose invites a classic ex-bourbon single malt, painting a picture of melon and orchard fruits. The palate; absolutely silk. Stewed peaches, pears, melons, honey and vanilla. This stuff is absolutely a monster that doesn’t drink anywhere near its proof.
#6 Whistle Pig Boss Hog XI Juggernaut | 51.90% ABV
Is it worth it? Maybe it is. With the 2024 release of Whistle Pig’s notorious Boss Hog series, The Juggernaut lives up to that hype. Sexy casks is what the series is known for. The Juggernaut is a straight rye whiskey inspired by the Land of Kings. Their whiskey makers made a journey to Rajasthan, India – the land of the Kings. The quest was to find precious spices. Their quest ended in finishing their rye whiskey in the world’s first Thandai Barrels. Cardamon and saffron up front, almost like a good curry smell, cinnamon tickling your snout and lots of nutmeg. Taking a sip felt as if you were transported into India, with waves of baking spices and tropical fruits. Wild.
#7 Port Charlotte PMC:01 | 54.50% ABV
Sweet strawberries and cream peat. Already heavily bias, Long rivals PC10 Year to be the most balanced of the Islay scotches, so when hearing that PMC:01’s second maturation is done in Pomerol wine casks, it’s a no-brainer pickup. If sweet peat is your thing, this is the one. Very few expressions showcase the polar contrast of sweet peat well, and this expression is absolutely lights out!
#8 Russell’s Reserve 15 Year | 58.60% ABV
Old ass bourbon. Very few bottles in America we believe can demand over a $200 price tag and is worth it. This is definitely one of the exceptions. Sadly, as we know how allocations work, few will be able to try this expression from the Turkey Brothers. For those who have, you know how stone fruits only show up through old aging in American oak, and this is definitely it. Mega oak, rich spices, sweet wood tannins, tobacco and cocoa paints the palate. An absolute gem.
#9 Maclean’s Nose | 46.00% ABV
Bang for the buck. If we did this list last year, Morris Australian Single Malt Signature would make the list. In lieu of that, for this year, we’ve also found an insane dollar-for-dram gem. Named after Charles Maclean, this is a cuvee of a few things, but most notably Ardnamurchan and Glen Scotia. We’ve blinded probably 50+ people on this and no one has guessed anywhere near the price point of this bottle. Nice price blend bottled at 46% and not 40%? Yes please. Drinks well above its price point. Campbeltown funk, subtle minerality and peat with whispers of citrus fruits. Delish.
#10 Longmorn 18 Year | 57.60% ABV
Luxury in a glass. Longmorn has recently shifted to become a luxury Speyside Single Malt. Meaning, the 18 year is officially the youngest expression that they have to offer. The 2023 release is everything it sets out to be. Non-chill filtered, cask strength, pure ex-bourbon casks that have been aged for a minimum of 18 years. Sure, there’s a lot of barrel proof ex-bourbon scotches that are out there, so what really makes this different? The rollercoaster. The nose is unmistakably Krispy Kreme original glazed donuts. As you play with it the orchard and tropical fruits fight that sweet note. The palate does demand your attention as the cask strength takes the spotlight before going into the hazelnutty milk chocolate finish. Definitely for the cognoscenti as it’s usually blended for Royal Salute’s high end blends, but absolutely a luxury dram.
#11 Royal Salute 21 Year Miami Polo ED | 40.00% ABV
You day drink? Talk about innovation. The first Royal Salute bottle to be finished in first-fill rye casks as well as first-fill bourbon casks. As you can see from #3, #4 & #9, blends are back! High end blends like Dewars, Johnnie and Royal Salute usually take a back seat to Single Malt Scotches, but no more. For those who love Johnnie Blue, if you haven’t had the regular Royal Salute 21 Year (cheaper too), you’re missing out. This expression is wild as the rich vanilla and coconut flavors balance out the subtle rye spice, making it almost taste like gingerbread. This is a silky dram that has a lot of complexity, and honestly, we would drink this for brunch 7 days out of the week.
#12 Blue Run Emerald Rye | 54.85% ABV
Velvety rye. What we’ve been telling people consistently about this expression is that this is the rye that Jim always wanted to make at Four Roses. Distilled at Castle & Key, this is a proper rye and not a classic Kentucky (51-55%) rye mash bill. We were absolutely shocked how well this was received at the Blue Run Dinner. For a room full of bourbon drinkers, this expression was a majority favorite. The pepper and clove spices are indeed predominant but it is truly balanced with the brown butter that creates a velvety palate and finish. Smoof.
#13 The Dalmore 16 Year Luminary No.2 | 48.60% ABV
Dalmore done right. As everyone knows, we are Dalmore supporters. Nothing is lusher on the palate than a Dalmore. The Luminary No.2 is no different as it’s one of the very rare expressions that utilizes peated barley. Does it show up? Yes, but not in the way you’d think. This is an Italian sweet bakery in a glass. The quintessential notes of Seville oranges are always going to be there, but the crème brulee, Colombian coffee and brioche notes will teleport you to Italy. Finished in Graham’s Tawny Port and 30-year-old Apostoles Sherry casks, this is a dram to play with over time.
#14 New Riff 8 Year Rye | 50.00% ABV
Old Kentucky rye. This is an older age expression of the flagship rye coming out of New Riff. They really are ‘A New Riff on an Old Tradition.’ We should all know that because of their flagship 100% malted rye, which is phenomenal. We love innovation. So when a rye is technically 100% because of the 95/5 mash bill having 5% malted rye instead of malted barley, it excites us. While the flagship KY straight rye is phenomenal, the 8 year is something else. More character, more rich spices and more balance.
#15 Ardbeg 23 Year Y2K ED | 46.00% ABV
Gimmick or nah? The result is definitely a nah. Sure, it’s pricey, but really, this expression reminds us of what Ardbeg used to be. Before all the sex appeal in the cask. This is ex-Bourbon and Oloroso sherry matured Ardbeg that is reminiscent of the Twenty-Somethings that used to be released. Makes sense, because of course we are talking about juice that is the same age. Unadulterated lemon zest, anise, peppermint, menthol, bitter orange, and antiseptic-balanced Islay Single Malt.
~Written by Long L. & Ylli F.~