John Sleeman & Sons Cooper`s Rye Whisky
$67.99
Bottled at 48% ABV, this new offering from John Sleeman & Sons was distilled at their Spring Mill Distillery which resides in Guelph, Ontario. The whisky was matured in barrels made from Canadian Oak.
Producer Description
"This 100% Canadian Rye whisky is made from 100% rye grain and aged a minimum of 3 years in new Canadian white oak barrels made by Quinn Sleeman. The virgin white oak lends a gentle sweetness to the distinct spice of rye uninterrupted by other grains."
JP Wiser's 42 Year Canadian Whisky
$509.99
Shots fired! This is the JP Wiser's 42 Year Old answer to the Canadian Club Chronicles series of 40+ year old Canadian Whisky. Oddly enough, the whisky for both come from the 165+ year old Hiram Walker distillery in Windsor, Ontario. The Wiser's 42 Year Old was distilled in 1982 and bottled at a respectable 52% ABV.
Producer Description
"The new whisky produced back in 1982 was 90 per cent double column distilled grain whisky and 10 per cent single column produced rye. There was nothing unusual there: These were pretty typical, tried-and-true beginnings for a Canadian whisky. But this spirit was destined for greatness thanks to an unusual and special maturation.
First, the sheer length of it is unique. Not many Canadian whiskies have been aged for decades and decades. Wiser’s was doing something long overdue: creating an opportunity to showcase how the greatness of Canadian whisky can reveal itself in a high-aged expression — creating a whisky that’s both ready for the world stage and a source of pride here at home.
Second, the whisky is aged in Canadian oak barrels, ex-bourbon casks and Speyside single malt casks — a recipe for complexity and depth of flavour.
Third, the distillery and aging warehouses stand near the banks of the Detroit River, where climate conditions — the hot, humid summers and cold winters that the Great Lakes region is known for — bring out unique flavours in whisky as it ages."
Canadian Club Invitation 18Yr High Proof
$91.99
Like the 15 Year Old Canadian Club, this is also part of the Invitation Series and is apparently a limited release. It is bottled at an impressive 58% ABV, which must be the highest proof ever for a bottling of Canadian Club.
Producer Description: "Enjoy the smooth, well balanced taste of CC Classic aged for 18 years, bottled at a higher proof for a full bodied Canadian whisky."
Pivot Spirits Rye Whisky
$87.99
Made from Rye grown in Lars - the distiller's own farm. Distilled by Pivot Spirits in Rolling Hills, Alberta. Bottled at 46%.
Producer Description
"The modern, high-yielding hybrid rye varieties cultivated by Lars on our irrigation farm yield a true Canadian classic whisky! Velvety, smooth, and mellow, this whisky boasts oak notes and flavours of baking spices and caramel. This nod to Alberta agriculture is the perfect addition to any whisky collection."
About Pivot Spirits
Pivot Spirits was founded in 2018 and resides in Rolling Hills, Alberta — about a 30-minute drive south of Brooks. If you zoom in on Rolling Hills from a satellite image on Google Maps you will see where the name Pivot Spirits comes from: all the fields in the area have the tell-tail rounded and circular shape of pivot irrigation. The distillery is co-owned by Lars Hirsch and Rachelle Fiset. Lars is an irrigation farmer with fields just across the roads from the distillery and the distiller as well. Just about all the grain used at Pivot Spirits uses for making Whisky, Gin, and other spirits comes from his fields. The only exception to this is when Lars uses corn, which he gets from his neighbours. Pivot Spirits does not malt or roast any of the grains it uses — it comes directly from the field, is ground down, and made into a mash.
Sheringham Whisky
$61.99
This Canadian whisky from Vancouver Island has been made with malted barley, wheat, and rye, matured in new American oak casks for at least 3 years before bottling at 45%.
Producer Description
"Jason’s passion for whisky lies in the journey from grain to glass, where slow craftsmanship and traditional methods shape its character. This approach results in a whisky that beautifully marries natural elements with the artistry of its maker. Crafted in Sooke, British Columbia, using BC grain, this whisky’s mash bill of rye, wheat, and malted barley is distilled in small batches and aged for at least three years in new American white oak barrels."
Baldur's Whisky 003 Bourbon Style
$104.99
Release 003 from Baldur's Whisky/Last Mountain Distillery is a Bourbon Style dram. Made from a mash bill of 68% Corn, 21% Rye, and 11% Malted Barley. It was matured for 6 years in charred new oak casks before being bottled at 45.9%. Only 266 bottles for this batch.
Baldur's Whisky is made by Last Mountain Distillery, which was founded by Colin and Meredith Schmidt. The distillery resides in Lumsden, Saskatchewan. Established in 2010, Last Mountain was the first micro distillery to launch in the province; in a garage no less. The equipment was moved to its current building a year later. Last Mountain creates a multitude of spirits including Gin, Vodka, Rum, and whisky.
Park Distillery Banff Rye Whisky
$63.99
While we have seen some small batch and small bottle limited releases of whisky from Banff's Park Distillery in the past, this is the first regular release from them. Bottled at 45%.
Producer Description
"Banff Whisky is a blend of three distinct whiskies made from 100% local Alberta rye aged in new American oak . The five year whisky on the front end adds black currant, candied ginger, and sweet baking spices. The six year on the mid palate contributes cinnamon shortbread and toffee. The seven year whisky on the finish lends rich vanilla and cigar box. These flavors will linger on the palate well after the last sip. The art of the blend is to balance these three distinctly different profiles, resulting in a delicious, layered, and complex whisky."
Sons of Vancouver Realms of Rye 3 Mentho
$169.99
Realms of Rye Release 03, was bottled at 59.6% after maturing in ex-Bourbon and new American oak casks. Called 'Mentol & Evergreen',
Producer Description
"The much anticipated third release from the Realms of Rye series, dives deeper into the flavour spectrum of rye grain. This expression was expertly blended by the whisky-making team at Sons of Vancouver Distillery, with barrels carefully chosen and married to evoke vegetal flavours of menthol & evergreen.
"Release 03 ‘Menthol & Evergreen’ provides a stroll through a lush forest of conifers, wild herbs, and dense moss. The character of the rye grain provides notes of eucalyptus, pine needles, dill weed, and sweet grass. Maturation in ex-bourbon and new oak barrels provides a backbone of mint chocolate, green walnut, and cut lumber.
"Following the precise standards set for the Realms of Rye series, all the flavour in this whisky comes from the fermentation, distillation, maturation, and blending process alone."
Hibiki Harmony
$154.99
*Currently Limited - 1 Per Customer Maximum*
The base of the whisky, Japanese single malts and grain, have been matured in American oak casks. The dressing is the more rare and complex Sherry and Mizunara (Japanese oak) notes. The single malts have been sourced from Hakushu and Yamazaki and the grain whiskies from Chita. This is the first Suntory whisky made available in Canada in more than 2 years.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: clean, floral and grainy with a touch of juicy malt; delicate fruits, melon and kiwi with lots of vanilla and subtle spices.
Palate: juicy, fruity and floral with toasty American oak and rich spices (Mizunara?); lots of fruits here, more melon and kiwi, silky grains and chewy malt mingle with orange peel and vanilla bean.
Finish: long, toasty and silky with fading fruits, spices and sugars.
Comment: Japanese blends never seem to disappoint, and this one is no exception. It is very elegant and complex. Hopefully we get more than promissed...
Distiller's Tasting Note
Nose: rose, lychee, hint of rosemary, mature woodiness, sandalwood.
Palate: honeylike sweetness, candied orange peel, white chocolate.
Finish: subtle, tender long finish, with hint of Mizunara (Japanese oak).