J.P. Wiser's 18 Year

From looking through various reviews, it appears that this pour can be polarizing. Some claim it's lacking in taste, strong ethanol on the nose, too expensive, etc. Others point to its numerous awards and remark on its craftsmanship. I have some thoughts. You're reading those thoughts. Here we go. To look at this as an 18 year old whisky and treat it and evaluate it the same way you would an 18 year old Scotch would be doing this whisky a disservice. Yes, they share an age statement, but are made by very different processes. Learning more about how this whisky was made really enhanced the tasting experience for me. It's mostly corn, and not only that, it's distilled to a ridiculously high proof (something around 95%), and put in the barrel to age. At that high a proof, it's mostly a neutral spirit, so in approaching this pour, it's really a study in oak. It is blended with a small amount of 18 year old rye, but this is mostly all flavor from the barrel. Wisers is really taking advantage of those loopy Canadian liquor laws. After resting for about 20 minutes, none of the ethanol folks complain about in other reviews are present on the nose. In its place is a big hello sailor of classic Canadian notes-vanilla, maple, rye, some dried fruit, as well as that characteristic lumber note I tend to find in Canadian whiskies. It's quite elegant and complex. The taste, even at 40%, has gentle, sweet barrel spice, more vanilla and maple, butterscotch, toffee, pepper, and a little tobacco. Right on the back palate is a pithy, citrus note reminiscent of grapefruit or the orange peel from an Old Fashioned. The finish is surprisingly long, with a cooling effect, along with a lingering note of pencil shavings from elementary school while integrating all of the palate flavors. WOW! A great pour indeed. Definitely don't regret picking up the bottle. Look, I know that here in the States we can't get most of the really good Canadian stuff (though I just heard that Lot 40 CS is coming to MA & IL). This is one of the good ones. "But it's overpriced". I've paid $130-$160 for 18 year old Scotch, so no, it's not overpriced. An 18 year old whisky for $60-$70? Sign me up. "But it's 40%". Who cares?! I've been guilty of being a snob about that in past reviews, but I'm changing my tune for some bottles. There's a time and a place for 40% ABV. Not every night is cask strength night. I would pick this one up. You have to let it breathe. That's the key. If you do, you're rewarded with one of the best expressions this category has to offer. If you still hate it, you can sob into your glass while cursing my name, but this one's a winner for me. Cheers!

For the money, it's nothing special. Burnt caramel, sweet fruit, oak, and vanilla.

Showtime wedding, after party...

Oodles of vanilla, toffee and a hint of pine on the nose, which carries through to the palete, melding with caramel, aniseed and a little peppery, really reminiscent of rye bourbon. Medium, rather dry finish (which is surprising for having such a low ABV of 40%) that coats the throat with oaky spices and rye.

Very sweet, with a fairly long finish for only an 80 proof blend. Let it open for a minute or two before going for the nose and you'll be much more pleasantly surprised. For 18 y/o, it won't club you with oak notes, but they are definitely present. But the sweetness....it's everywhere. Creme' brulee and occasionally comes across with a bit of coffee for a tiramisu. Maple (I mean it IS Canadian). A very pleasant sipper.