Canadian Club Classic 12 Year

Ever have days where by the end, you just think, "Wow, I made it through"? Today was one of those. My head feels foggy, my eyes ache, and I feel like I could sleep forever or stay up all night. On days like this, I bypass my pricey pours and opt for something inexpensive and enjoyable. Canadian Club 12 is aged in charred oak bourbon barrels, and for the price of $31.95 CAD, it's a great deal for a 12-year-old whisky. The first impression on the nose was orange marmalade and a damp old barn. Pleasant aged charred oak and vanilla cream emerge with time. Canadian Club 12 offers an initial sweet, slightly medicinal sip that builds with baking spices. Oakiness and a hint of bitterness take over, leading to a smooth and moderate vanilla finish. This is a solid budget option that would also be great in mixed drinks. It's quite direct, but its sweet profile would appeal to those who don't prefer much smoke. 6.75/10

Nose: Maple, caramel, toffee, sap, wood spice, dried fruits (raisins, prunes, dates), dark fruits (figs, plum, blackberries), a touch of orange and candied lemon/lemon peel, sherry, butterscotch, rye herbaceousness, a hint of medium-roast coffee, a hint of pine, sweet creaminess, earthiness (the faintest hint of rich tobacco, light chocolate). Palate: Caramel, vanilla, toffee, butterscotch, tannins, peppery spice, sherry, a slight spicy bitterness, a slight creamy sweetness, maple sugar, charred oak, wood sweetness, dried fruit, dark berries. Finish: Dried fruit, molasses, spicy bitterness, rye, a hint of creaminess, fig.

Canadian Club 12 year, 40% alcohol. Imported then bottled in the USA. Aged in "charred bourbon barrels." Nose: sweet, vanilla, caramel, maple. Taste: sweet initially, with a sweetness that is both pleasant and unusual. Light to moderate notes of charred/damp oak. Not very complex. Anticipated slightly better, but it's not bad for the cost, I might try it again later. Quite smooth. Price: $19.99 plus tax, the same as the 9 year where I purchased both, but expect this to be priced higher elsewhere. Only a minor improvement over the standard Canadian Club but significantly better than the 9 year version. Rating: B-

It's all about perspective. What some find lacking in complexity, others may see as highly refined. What one person calls a lack of character, another can describe as exceptionally smooth. To me, CC 12 is arguably one of the most refined, sophisticated whiskies available. Does it have bold flavors? Not at all. Does it command your attention? It's far too well-behaved for that. What you have here is a pure representation of an elegant Canadian spirit... it's polite, smooth, and refined. If you're looking for a brown spirit that won't offend, this is it. CC12 delivers what Crown Royal promises.

Appearance: Resembles a bourbon with burnt orange and golden edges. Shows lacing and legs. Smell: Sweetness, with minimal spice or variety. Primarily a grainy scent. Swirling releases more ethanol than I've encountered in a whiskey. Taste: Sweet as suggested by the aroma, with slightly more flavor. Caramel and vanilla. Finish: Somewhat sharp, with some burn but no barrel influence. It's reminiscent of rum. Overall: I use this for Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, but decided it deserved a proper tasting. Not the best when consumed neat.

This spirit, like much of the Canadian Club range, doesn't offer profound depth or complexity. However, that's not its purpose. Consider the spirit a straightforward conduit for the pronounced oak character. The base spirit is quite neutral, allowing a delightful showcase of unadulterated wood and vanilla notes. It possesses smoothness, though less so than comparable blended Scotch whiskies (such as Chivas or Dewars). It represents a blend of tradition and modernity. I enjoy it, but only when the mood strikes.