Richard

Founding Apostle

Lot 40

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / ,

Lot No. 40 Single Copper Pot Still Canadian Whisky (1990s version)
43 % ABV
$30
Website

What the Distillery Says
Lot No. 40 is expertly distilled in small batches using only the finest locally sourced ingredients. By distilling in a single copper pot still, the result is a whisky that starts off earthy and woody tasting and then becomes full bodied and complex with a velvety vanilla oak finish.

What Gary Says
Nose: Tobacco leaves, subtle sherry & molasses sweetness with malty undertones, baking bread in a funky/musty kitchen, hints of dried herbs.
Palate: Herbal and vegetal notes, sweet rye bread, malty fruit cake, hints of a black tea with raisins and kiwi.
Finish: On the short side, slightly drying w/ some pepper spice hitting.
Comments: This is an odd whiskey, but in a good way. I liked it immediately because it was so different than anything I had tried before. If someone had given me this blind and asked what I thought it was, my guess would have been some type of funky single malt Scotch rather than a Canadian rye. There is a prominent maltiness throughout, but the rye isn’t lost – just different from American Rye whiskey (not as sharp and peppery). A very unique whiskey. Unfortunately the uniqueness makes it hard for me to recommend it, as I’m never sure what someone will think. But I’d recommend trying it if only to see what you think. If you’re not the adventurous type – maybe don’t bother, as this won’t fit neatly into another category.
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

What Richard Says
Nose: Sweetly herbal, notes of aged tobacco, molasses, mint, and stewed stone fruits.
Palate: Creamy, rich, and viscous. Tons of dark fruit, pepper, mint, and orange liqueur.
Finish: Rye spicy with mint, anise, and cinnamon.
Comments: When you hear talk about the “great Canadian whisky” being hoarded north of the border this is the kind of thing they are talking about. This has tremendous richness and depth compared to the vast majority of Canadian whisky. Truly stunning in it’s original form but sadly the subsequent versions don’t hold a candle to the original.
Rating: Must Try

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Ellington Reserve 8 Years

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Ellington Reserve 8 Years
Fine Canadian Whisky

40% ABV
$18
Website

What the Bottler Says

RICH . CARAMEL . OAK . LONG
Canada- Premium Canadian Whisky aged to perfection in charred oak barrels for eight years. This aging produces a smooth, mellow flavor for the discerning whisky connoisseur. Great sipped neat or on the rocks.

What Richard Says

Nose: Acetone and vanilla extract.
Palate: Reasonably sweet and one dimensional. Brown sugar cooked to a light caramel.
Finish: Hot, burning hot. It finishes rough.
Comments: I’m having a hard time confirming or disputing the origin of this spirit but it seems to be connected to Total Wine as one of their house spirits. And like most of the rest of TW’s house spirits this is a pretty sad imitation of a quality spirit. It’s pretty damn bad. If you need to experience this for yourself then bring plenty of cola.

Rating: Probably Pass

What Gary Says

Nose: Acetone with vanilla and cheap maple syrup.
Palate: Thin, sweet with light caramel, vanilla and a hint of maple.
Finish: Short with a chemical aftertaste.
Comments: I bought a 50 mL of this not realizing Richard had already reviewed it (as clearly had I read his review from 2017, I wouldn’t have wasted whatever pocket change I spent on it). Crown Royal was my gateway whisky, so it isn’t that I don’t like Canadian whisky. But this is pretty lousy stuff. Acetone isn’t something I look for when nosing a whisky, and doesn’t compel me to want to drink it. Couldn’t find any reference to in 2021 either, so assuming it is a Total Wine label – and some of their stuff isn’t bad. But this is bad. Just bad. I wouldn’t even use it as a mixer, because at 40% ABV, it has the same calories as anything else at 40% ABV (and there is a LOT of stuff I’d rather drink than this).

Rating: Probably Pass

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Crown Royal Maple

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Crown Royal Maple Flavored Whisky
40% ABV
$22
Website

What the Distiller Says
Crown Royal Maple Finished Whisky is an exceptional blend that combines maple flavor with the distinctive smoothness and character of Crown Royal blended whiskies. The blend is then finished in maple-toasted oak to deliver a uniquely smooth experience.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE Light, fresh maple combined with the signature caramel and vanilla nose of Crown Royal.
PALATE An exceptionally smooth blend with an authentic light maple taste.
FINISH Warm, woody caramelized note.

What Richard Says
Nose: Immediately as soon as the liquid is poured into the glass heavy notes of real maple syrup come wafting out. When nose reaches glass the maple smooths out a bit making room for caramel cake drizzled with vanilla cream.
Palate: Very maple forward with again, a caramel backing.
Finish: The finish isn’t anything exceptional. It is simply lingering notes of the taste.
Comments: This is not bad at all. It’s like a whiskey spiked bottle of maple syrup. It’s more for bar shots and creative cocktails rather than a sipping whiskey.
Rating: Stands Out

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Black Bottle

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Black Bottle Blended Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$25
Website

What the Blender Says
Nose: Fresh and floral with freshly sawn oak aromas. Spicy with hints of smoke.
Palate: Silky, mellow and fruity with balanced smoky / peaty flavours then sweet oak and heather honey.
Finish: Soft, elegantly spicy, nutmeg, pepper and a gentle lingering smokiness.

What Richard Says
Nose: The nose is a bit of a ruffian with a rough and meaty structure to it.
Palate: Creamy and smooth with the sweetness of a wildflower honey watered down for bar use. The honey sweetness is augmented by notes of apricots and peaches with a light handed layering of smokiness.
Finish: This finishes with just a dusting of pepper and smoke wrapped around a licorice core.
Comments: Black Bottle is a lovely fellow. It is easy drinking on the smokier side. It works well as an inexpensive table dram or a nice subtle introduction to smokier whiskies.
Rating: Stands Out

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Smokehead

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
43% ABV
$55
Website

What the Bottler Says
Contemporary, individual and exciting, Smokehead appeals to bold and adventurous whisky drinkers who are looking for something challenging and different.

A heavily-peated Islay single malt whisky of the highest quality, Smokehead hits you like a cannonball and takes you on an explosive rollercoaster of peat, smoke and spice with a little delicate sweetness thrown in.

Flying in the face of traditional whisky packaging, Smokehead’s striking tin and unique label are hard to miss.

An award-winning Islay single malt with a cult following that stands out from the crowd.

What Richard Says
Nose: Briny and meaty. Notes of licorice, honey, and rich earth (sort of like compost but not).
Palate: The taste is much more mellow and balanced than the nose would foretell. Sea salt, herbal liqueur, smoked salmon, and caramel and fruit sweetness.
Finish: It finishes with a light bit of campfire ash and cracked pepper around the edges.
Comments: The package and name are clearly geared toward a younger drinker and bristle with masculine undertones. The whisky itself is much more muted. I was expecting something along the lines of Big Peat but this is more reminiscent of a young Caol Ila or a lightly peated Bunnahabhain. A nice pleasing dram for sure.
Rating: Average

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