You may have a hard time finding this Compass Box whisky, since it was bottled primarily for Julio’s Liquors near Boston (which supplied our sample) and Astor Wines & Spirits in New York City (but turned up at a handful of other retailers as well). The name comes from the natural rivalry between Boston and New York, and the whisky comes from a blend of Macallan, Teaninich, the now-closed Imperial distillery, and some of the French Oak-finished Highland malt blend that was featured in Compass Box’s Flaming Heart.

The nose has notes of red apples, vanilla cream, dried flowers, lemon custard, a hint of butterscotch, and allspice. The taste has good spices with allspice, cinnamon, and coriander balanced by red apples, vanilla, and hints of dried flowers and lemon custard that appear as the spices start to fade leading into the finish – which is very long with lingering spices, dried flowers, lemon custard, and vanilla notes. Very complex and well-balanced. (June, 2017)