Tastes
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Collective is a combination of five casks so it is basically a Shelter Point infinity bottle. I had this one beside the Triple Grain and I liked the Collective better. The Shelter Point house style is there and a bit of maltiness and a bit of smoke. A bit of spice on the finish. Easy drinking and a nice dram.
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Poured Unity beside Resolve. Resolve is a step improvement from Unity, more fruit, more spice, more flavours. Unity’s nose is more caramel and profile is more typical of a Canadian whisky. Resolve has an obvious wine influence on the nose. The finish is the best part of Resolve. Spice hits immediately then a flash of fruit – brown sugar mixed with fruit, either grape or sour cherries. The finish is long and the best I have experienced from a Forty Creek annual edition. Very nice.
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FEW Immortal Rye
Flavored Whiskey — Illinois, USA
Reviewed December 23, 2020 (edited December 24, 2020)Partially blind tasting, two bottles were selected for me from my sample collection - likely due to both having a very dark colour (Few and a single barrel from Shelter Point). While close in colour, I quickly moved this comparison to a world whisky rye. The nose is pleasant and inviting and the botanical, eucalyptus notes made me think of a gin first and, knowing I have no gin, I poured Millstone 100 Rye. The Few nose has sweetness and an eucalyptus, pine influence that is softened by the tea. Side by side you can see the similarities between Few and the Millstone. The finish is medium and length and spice with that lingering taste (hui gan) that tea leaves behind. Is it good, yes, and it is not a Lot 40 type rye, it is definitely has a more botanical taste. The tea influence is interesting. If you have, and enjoy, a bottle of Millstone 100 this one is worth a try. -
Gooderham & Worts Eleven Souls
Canadian — Ontario, Canada
Reviewed December 4, 2020 (edited December 22, 2020)Sobey’s (a liquor store in Western Canada) ordered a lot of Eleven Souls when they opened last year and it is not selling here. It appears that this market isn’t ready to spend C$99 for a Canadian whisky but this has to be a case of buyers not knowing what they are missing. For reference, The Glenlivet 12 is about C$60 and The Glenlivet 18 is C$180 (C$100 = US$70) here. Eleven Souls is a Canadian twist on a Speyside and it is far better than the Glenlivets. My preference is peated. Eleven Souls, even at 49%, is easier to drink and more complex than a peated whisky. It is one of the best I have had. Silky smooth, fruit, toasted oak, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon. The finish is the star of the show. The finish slowly builds with warmth and spice and then lasts a very long time. Wood spice opens on the sides, and rolls to the middle of your tongue. Sweet, slightly drying. More spice than a Talisker 10. My only negative comment is the Gooderham and Worts 49 Wellington might be a tiny bit better. That’s not really a negative, more of a comment on how good these bottles are. Fantastic, Canadian whisky is not just Crown Royal, this is a special whisky.99.0 CAD per Bottle -
Talisker 10 Year
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed November 14, 2020 (edited December 22, 2020)Drops a bit for me from a 5 to a 4 because I have had so many great whiskies since starting with Talisker 10 and now I realize that 5 is likely too high. Oddly enough I even like the Talisker GOT a bit better. This is a classic and a solid buy at 4 stars. -
Talisker Select Reserve (Game of Thrones-House Greyjoy)
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed November 14, 2020 (edited December 22, 2020)Took me a while to open the Talisker GOT. That’s too bad, a second bottle would be a fine idea. I had the Talisker 10 and the GOT poured side by side for me partially blind – I knew what they were, I just don’t know which one was which. A better nose, palette and finish for the GOT, easy win. Peppery, lively, light smoke, delicious. Great finish, pepper and spice. A definite buy, but I doubt it exists on shelves anymore. -
J.P. Wiser's 22 Year Cask Strength Port Cask Finish
Canadian — Ontario, Canada
Reviewed November 13, 2020 (edited August 30, 2021)Very intense. For my preference I add a bit of water and everything opens up with beautiful fruit, even a hint of a lit match, very vibrant and lively even with water. The finish is long and spicy. Excellent. -
Pike Creek 15 YO Cabernet Sauvignon Finish
Canadian — Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Reviewed November 13, 2020 (edited December 22, 2020)Cab Sav 15 and the Pike Creek 21 year Oloroso tried side by side. The 15 has a sweeter nose, the 21 is nuttier and bit more dry. Which is better would depend on the drinker’s preference- both are good. I give a slight edge to the 15. The palette is creamier on the 15, balanced and fruity. Very nice. The 21 is a bit better, dry, spicy and delicious. The win goes to the 21 for the longer finish and better overall experience. Both are worth a buy. -
Lot 40 and Lot 40 Dark Oak side by side. Both are very good, classic expressions that highlight what is great about rye whisky. Rye spice notes, lots of black licorice and a hint of apple on the Lot 40. Lot 40 Dark Oak is higher abv yet softer and creamier on the palette. More spice, dark fruits like cherry, molasses, and a bubblegum powder like Topps gum from a pack of 1983 baseball cards. The Dark Oak is a bit sweeter and has a much longer spicy finish. Regular Lot 40 is an excellent rye bomb and Dark Oak is a step better and worth the extra cost.
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Lot 40 and Lot 40 Dark Oak side by side. Both are very good, classic expressions that highlight everything good about rye whisky. Rye spice notes, lots of black licorice and a hint of apple on the Lot 40. Lot 40 Dark Oak is higher abv yet softer and creamier on the palette. More spice, dark fruits like cherry, molasses and a bubblegum powder like Topps gum from a pack of 1983 baseball cards. The Dark Oak is a bit sweeter and has a much longer spicy finish. Regular Lot 40 is an excellent rye bomb and Dark Oak is a step better and worth the extra cost.
Results 21-30 of 111 Reviews