Trader Joe’s

• PRIVATE LABEL
• OWNER: ALEXANDER MURRAY & CO

For the rock-bottom price, Trader Joe’s single malt is quite good. Alexander Murray & Company has supplied it since 2004, though neither the supermarket chain nor the intermediary will reveal the source of the whisky itself.

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Trader Joe’s

Highland

• PRICE $ · RATING
• AGE 10 years old
• ALC/VOL 40%
• NOSE Clover honey, hay, almonds, cherry juice, and Werther’s Originals; water amps up the hay notes and adds touches of black pepper and powdered sugar.
• PALATE Dry and thin, with solvent, salt, a bit of heat, white raisins, honey, and floral notes; water turns it a bit rubbery, but sweeter. The long finish has white pepper, herbs, and cardboard.
• GENERAL Decent for the price—and the secret provenance. Like many budget whiskies, though, the nose overpromises, and it’s downhill from there. Cocktail-friendly.