Month: November 2017

Distillery Spotlight, Event Recap

A Weekend at Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery

For those of you who know me in person, you’ll know that I am a self-proclaimed Padawan whisky nerd (Star Wars reference). That is why I was absolutely thrilled when Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery invited me to visit their distillery and vineyard at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Wayne Gretzky Estates is an award winning winery and distillery owned by Peller Estate and Canadian legend Wayne Gretzky. Their most … Continue reading A Weekend at Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery

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Review

Glenfarclas 17

Glenfarclas 17, 43% ABV, $130 CAD Nose: Red plums, oak, fresh floral, citrus, lemon peel, Smuckers strawberry jam. Taste: Plums, bitter chocolate, chocolate orange, raisins, malt, coffee, and a slight spicyness. Finish: Medium, good viscosity, coffee and chocolate notes linger. Thoughts: It’s bold and fresh at the same time, juicy, with good complexity. Other than the 25 year, this is my favorite expression from the … Continue reading Glenfarclas 17

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Distillery Spotlight, Review

Distillery Spotlight: Halifax Distilling Company, Halifax, NS

Halifax has become a hotbed for breweries, and now also has two distilleries operating in the city. We had a chance to visit both of them, and the write-up of the brand new Compass Distillers was previously posted here. The Halifax Distilling Company is the other and actually finds its roots on Prince Edward Island as the Prince Edward Distillery started by Julie Shore, a … Continue reading Distillery Spotlight: Halifax Distilling Company, Halifax, NS

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Review

Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon (KavaFan bottling)

This single barrel Ex-Bourbon Solist was exclusively bottled for members of KavaFan. (142 total bottles). It was barreled on August 28, 2008, and bottled on October 5, 2017. 9 years, 1 month, 8 days old. Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon (KavaFan Bottling) B080828075, bottle 26/142, 55.6% ABV Nose: Creamy vanilla off the top, pineapple, piña colada, melon, bourbon-like caramel, short-bread, and a nice spicy oakiness. Taste: Vanilla … Continue reading Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon (KavaFan bottling)

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Review

LCBO Popup Event: Tasting Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23 Year

This weekend, I had the opportunity to try Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year at the LCBO Popup on King and Bathurst with Sazerac distiller Allisa Henley. For those of you familiar with whiskey, you’ll know that Pappy is considered a unicorn. This is because it is affordable (at MSRP) and delicious – an unheard of combination! Because of this, these bottles are extremely hard to … Continue reading LCBO Popup Event: Tasting Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23 Year

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Review

Canadian Club 40 Year Old

Thanks to ‘Whisky in the 6’ for the sample. Canadian Club 40 Year Old, 45% ABV, $250 CAD Nose: Big hit of caramel and vanilla, honey, lemon grass, slight rye spice. Taste: Again, caramel and vanilla, rye, pepper, and apple pie filling. Finish: Medium/long, very good viscosity, caramel and spice notes linger. Thoughts: 7,000 total bottles, 100% Corn whisky aged in ex-rye barrels, oldest expression … Continue reading Canadian Club 40 Year Old

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Review

BenRiach 22 1994 Peated Ex-Tokaji (Cask 4004)

Hey, so sometimes my numbers screw up. And by sometimes, I mean a lot. Seriously, my numbers should be fine. As such, I reviewed BenRiach 22 1994 Peated Ex-Tokaji (Cask 4004) as what I thought was right before the 750th, and then… well I did some mysteries, I did what I thought, etc. None the less, I shouldn’t consider this a bad thing. Let’s be honest, we… Continue reading BenRiach 22 1994 Peated Ex-Tokaji (Cask 4004)

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Review

Laphroaig Caideas – Madeira Cask

Laphroaig Caideas – Madeira Cask 2016, 51.6% ABV, $100 CAD Nose: Peat right up front but not as strong as the 10 or 1/4 Cask, damp wood, brine, dry strawberries, and apricot. Taste: Earthy and musty peat smoke, old oak, strawberries, tobacco, with a faint floral note. Finish: Medium/long, highlighted by strawberries, peat and wood. Thoughts: I love the fruity/strawberry element to this. I think … Continue reading Laphroaig Caideas – Madeira Cask

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Distillery Spotlight, Review

Distillery Spotlight: Authentic Seacoast Distillery, Guysborough NS

When you exit Cape Breton Island and start driving back towards Halifax, most travelers don’t think about taking Highway 344 and heading down the East shore. This is somewhat unfortunate, as there are a number of beautiful towns with waterways running through them and it’s an incredibly scenic drive. It also includes the future site of a commercial spaceport, which means the number of cars … Continue reading Distillery Spotlight: Authentic Seacoast Distillery, Guysborough NS

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk1 Comment
Distillery Spotlight

Distillery Spotlight: Ironworks Distillery, Lunenburg, NS

Nova Scotia’s south shore is a gorgeous mix of rocky crags, lighthouses, hiking trails and fishing towns and is well worth a visit by anyone travelling to the province. One of the most popular destinations on the south shore is Lunenburg, an historic fishing town that was put on the map as the home of the Bluenose, the famous racing schooner that graces the Canadian … Continue reading Distillery Spotlight: Ironworks Distillery, Lunenburg, NS

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk1 Comment
Review

Elmer T. Lee

Elmer T. Lee Bourbon, 45% ABV, $45 USD Nose: Black cherry, cinnamon, brown sugar, caramel, whipped cream, and a big cream corn note. Taste: Cherry, corn, and brown sugar again, with honey, vanilla, pepper, and tobacco. Finish: Medium/long, cherry and corn notes linger. Thoughts: Not the most complex bourbon, but it’s very well balanced. Its got a unique profile. Really enjoying it! Hard to find … Continue reading Elmer T. Lee

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