Happy Canada Day Week!

This week Canada celebrated their 146 Canada day (celebrated July 1), so I’m using this opportunity to review this week some Canadian Whisky samples I received from #whiskyfabric member and the unofficial Canadian whisky ambassador Johanne McInnis (check her blog here: theperfectwhiskymatch.blogspot.ca). Johanne heard my sad confession I never had Canadian whisky and before you could say 3 “jumping jack” in a row, she sent me 3 samples, so lots of thanks Johanne 🙂

The first one I tasted was Lot No. 40

Lot No 40 is produced by Corby Distilleries at Hiram Walker distillery in Ontario. This is a 100% Rye whisky (90% non malted and 10% is malted) and It’s mostly 7 – 8 years old whisky.

So how was my first Canadian whisky dram?

Lot No. 40 43%, 2012 Edition

Nose: Rough alcohol punch, lots of pine wood notes (which I understand is the rye trademark). Lots of Caramel/burned sugar. Spices led by cinnamon and even some slight solvent note as well.

Palate: Initially a harsh and sour pine wood, menthol, spices again, some background vanilla.

Finish: medium length, bitter, spices, some slight metallic note

Conclusion: No doubt this is Rye whisky. It’s quite funky and very different then your average scotch whisky, as Joanne said: “Canadian Whisky is not Scotch. It’s Canadian”