J.P. Wiser's 15 Year

Continuing with the cracking of unopened bottles, today we'll do a classic North American faceoff: Canada vs the US. Representing Canada: Wayne Gretzky Maple Cask & JP Wiser's 15 year rye Representing USA: Maker's Mark no. 46 & Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Number 3: JP Wiser's 15 year brew Nose: Caramel popcorn, oak, rye spice. Interestingly the classic Wiser's orange peel is non existent here. Palate: A bit oily mouthfeel, fairly dry, cereals of all kinds and very oaky. Very well balanced between the sweetness and bitterness. Burnt sugar and toast. Finish: Warm and dry, with the rye kicking things into high gear. This one really makes you pause and think. It's subtle and develops slowly like a long winded old man telling a good story. So far this by far the best Canadian whisky I've tried, and it is a heck of a lot better than bottles of Scotch that I've paid at least double the price for. This one is going to be a mainstay in my cabinet for sure. Absolutely excellent but probably not quite enough to beat the damned Yanks unless the Woodford DO is a total bomb (not bloody likely). 4.25/5

Disappointing for the 15 year age. Lots of alcohol taste comes through. Otherwise, burnt caramel, vanilla sweetness and heavy spice flavours. Nice for cocktails but for the price you can get a better sipper.

Green apple, Bartlet pear, toffee, brown sugar, vanilla, and rye spices all hit strongly on the nose. At first, the subtle notes of the fruit fill the nose, followed by the sweetness of the sugars, and than the minty spicy notes of the rye spice. The nose is quite complex as a 15 year old whisky should be. The tasting is entirely reverse. The spices hit first, and fill the back of the throat. Next comes the vanilla and brown sugar. The toffee note from the nosing is almost absent on the palate and instead is replaced by a gentle maple syrup. The apple and Bartlet pear also make themselves known with the addition of unripened pineapple and green mango. The flavors linger for awhile, allowing for the enjoyment of the flavors, but dissipate quicker than you would expect. This can only be attributable to the low 80% proof. However, a heavy salivation occurs on the tongue wanting for the next sip. This is a complex whisky and one worthy of purchase. Very, very good whisky. Nose 4.25/5; Taste 4.25/5 Overall 4.25/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour

Little bit hot but not overpowering