5 Top Whiskey Reviews For August 2022

We review a lot of whiskeys here at The Whiskey Wash each month, so much so we publish one a day every day of the year. To give you a better idea of what were our top whiskey scores from last month, here is a list of five of the highest rated whiskeys from August 2022.

Bushmills “The Rare Casks” 29-Year-Old Pedro Ximénez Cask

• Score: 5/5
• The Basics: Mashbill of 100% Irish malted barley. Began in copper pot stills in 1992, matured for more than a decade in hand-selected ex-bourbon barrels, followed by an additional 17 years in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. 53% ABV. SRP $750/750ml.
• In Conclusion: I must say that this whiskey is pretty perfect. I can’t think of a single thing I would change about it and am happy to report that the whiskey is well worth the pretty penny it will cost if you’re lucky to acquire it. There is a well-earned balance to the whiskey, with a richness that tastes natural and finely aged.
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Hardin’s Creek Jacob’s Well

• Score: 4.5/5
• The Basics: 54% ABV. 108 proof. Kentucky straight bourbon made from a blend of a 15-year-old bourbon and 16-year-old bourbon. 750ml $150. 
• In Conclusion: Hardin’s Creek Jacob’s Well is right in the age range where I like my bourbon. The blend of both very mature traditional and high-rye bourbons adds layers upon layers. It may be too spicy for some, but if you’re the right princess, then this is the ogre for you.
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Starward Octave Barrels

• Score: 4.5/5
• The Basics: 3 years aged, 48% ABV, bottles priced at roughly $80
• In Conclusion: The range between $50-100 is fraught with peril. Bottles at this price point generally incorporate some process wrinkle or craftsperson’s touch that differentiates them from more widely available options. Idiosyncrasy is always a risk, however; it will appeal to some palates and tastes more than others, and the higher production costs combined with limited runs will drive up the price. When you drop two to three times the cost of your trusty well bottle on an unknown quantity, there’s some natural anxiety that it won’t live up to the promise, or that it will be recognizably good but not quite to your taste. If the tasting notes pique your curiosity and you can comfortably gamble $80 on the experience, Starward’s Octave Barrel expression might be worth the risk. I found everything I’m looking for in a superior glass of whiskey here, even if these aren’t all notes that I would generally gravitate towards. Succinctly put, it offers a unique assortment of several clearly defined, well integrated flavors that provide a pleasant, minor challenge to my palate. The wine casks put a strong stamp on a well-made whiskey and adds something unique, especially when combined with the added interest of the bottle coming from across the ocean.
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WhistlePig Double Malt 18 Year Rye

• Score: 4.5/5
• The Basics: Aged 18 years in new oak, 46% ABV, mash bill: 79% rye, 15% malted rye, 6% malted barley, SRP $399/ 750ml bottle.
• In Conclusion: I wanted an aha moment like I had had with the 10 Year, but this never seemed to cross over into profound in my blind tasting line up. This is certainly more nuanced than its younger brother, but worth the price jump? I’m not completely convinced. I was extremely impressed by the mouthfeel and delicate layers of aromatics, but I would have liked more length to the finish. Give this time in the glass to open up. This is one to savor.
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Bowmore 12-Year-Old

• Score: 4.5/5
• The Basics: 12 years old, single malt Scotch whisky, bottled at 40% ABV.
• In Conclusion: Very mellow and dangerously sip-able. The Bowmore 12 is an excellent introductory Islay Scotch, with enough smoke to stand apart from the other regions while maintaining enough sweetness to keep even exclusive bourbon drinkers engaged. Make no mistake, this is an Islay; there is campfire smoke on the nose and in the glass. Fans of big Islay smoke will find this underwhelming, but this is a near-perfect bottle to pull out for a friend who likes Scotch and wants to wade into the pool of Islay.
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