Smell: First thing apparent are the strong spices with a ton of cinnamon, mint/menthol, cardamom and even a little cloves. The roasted oak notes come then which bring a nice burnt note (dark roast coffee) and even a little rubber/medicinal quality. Some sweetness is also present with maple, caramel and vanilla and some butter. WITH WATER: Better balance with floral notes coming out as well as an orange zest.
Taste: As expected, the spices hit first with a strong attack of peppermint, cardamom, menthol, cinnamon and cloves. Then, some warm sweetness with a strong maple, caramel and vanilla note. A little floral (like some Chardonnay's). WITH WATER: Better balance here too, a little less sweet with the spices and oak taking more space. Maple take a little more space in the sweet notes. A little orange/marmalade coming out.
Finish: Sweet with a ton of maple and butter (very Canadian). The roasted notes come in the finish with dark espresso and tiny bit of rubber (but nothing medicinal that was in the smell). The finish then evolve back to the spices that started it all but with a light bubblegum note in the very very end. Long finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium to heavy body with a distinct oiliness. This is very good and coats the mouth very well.
Overall: This is an excellent whisky, easily the best Canadian whisky I've had. It would be a 4.5 but the light rubbery note brings it down a mark. It's quite excellent and is great value for the money.
95.5
CAD
per
Bottle