Collingwood Blended Canadian Whisky

Nose: Vanilla, toffee, oat biscuit, spice, a harsh spirit scent lurking behind light wood. It improves somewhat with time, and yes, sweetness like maple does come through. A bit of water surprisingly opens it up, reducing the spirit harshness and revealing a floral character, almost like subtle musk. Palate: Sharp and rough, with a bitter pine flavor. Hints of almond paste and anise. The mouthfeel is weak and biting, yet also floppy and dull. That's quite a feat. Dilution helps, and eventually, some toffee can be detected, but this is far from a delightful dram. Finish: Brief. Bitter and tart. With water, it's only slightly less bitter. I frequently sample a new Canadian spirit, and each time I'm let down. Perhaps I'm being too thrifty and only getting the worst, but it would be wonderful to occasionally taste something that's at least decent. This is weak, and the aromas and tastes that do appear aren't captivating. I find it hard to believe this is the finest Canada offers at this cost. For the same price, I could get several other bottles, and they all easily outperform this unfortunate spirit. The list continues, and every other option would simply destroy this poor whisky. The only potential use I see for this spirit is in cocktails, and it's not even that good for that. You wouldn't cook with bad ingredients, so why mix with subpar spirits? The official tasting notes are accurate for this one, but the rating is too kind. I strongly suspect this spirit might have been better in the past. "Inferior": 67/100 (1.5 stars)

The streak of excellent scores ends here. This dram was quite unpleasant, not the sweetness I look for. The cinnamon was a turn-off for me. This was bottled at 40% ABV and had a russet muscat color. The nose offered some sweetness, hinting at the palate to come. The aromas included a strong alcohol presence for 40% ABV, licorice, brown sugar, toffee, and cinnamon. The palate was simply dull. Licorice, cinnamon, a gentle spice, pine or some other herb, and young oak were present – it was not enjoyable, reminiscent of those flavored whiskeys like Jack Daniel's Fire. The finish was brief and excessively sweet, making it bad rather than good. Overall, I've awarded a very forgiving 59 out of 100, though my system suggests 2.9 out of 5. I absolutely do not recommend this.

My streak of high scores has ended. A very unenjoyable whisky, it's not the type of sweetness one hopes for in a dram. A cinnamon flavor is not something I find pleasant. Bottled at 40% ABV with a russet muscat color. The nose is sweet and not too bad, but it foreshadows what's to come on the palate. On the nose, I detected: a strong alcohol note for 40% ABV, licorice, brown sugar, toffee, and cinnamon. The palate is simply weak. Licorice, cinnamon, mild spice, pine or some herb – not pleasant at all. It seems similar to those whisky fire editions (like Jack Daniel's Fire) and young oak. The finish is short and excessively sweet, making it bad. Overall, I'm giving this a very generous 59 out of 100, and I truly consider it a 2.5 out of 5, though my scoring system indicates 2.9. Absolutely not recommended.

Serving: 1.5 fl. oz. shot, neat. Nose: Faint scent. Subtle vegetal/leafy notes with hints of grain. Alcohol is a bit too noticeable. Palate: Not very sweet, a little arid. Vegetal/leafy notes. Good spicy kick (would pair well with a Boursin cheese/goat’s cheese with cracked black pepper). Not very acidic. Minimal citrus. Finish: No harshness, but still a bit intense. Enjoyable butterscotch and vanilla notes emerge and linger. Overall: The double-barrel offers more compelling layers, making a direct comparison tricky. It's a reasonable price, but I personally like their “Town Collection” double-barrel whiskey more.

Canada is producing more whiskies I consider "dessert" style. Not because they are overly sweet, but due to their enjoyable, treat-like characteristics that make them too easy to sip (and perhaps consume too much of). Fortunately, this pour won't add inches to your waistline! Collingwood Toasted Maplewood Stave Finished blended whisky offers a mild Canadian maple syrup aroma, complemented by smooth woody, spicy, and vanilla notes. It has a direct, brief finish, making it highly drinkable. It works well in mixed drinks and is crisp with ice. I also appreciate its distinctive and stylish bottle. 7/10.

Smell: Loads of caramel, vanilla, and woody spice. It reminds me of crown royal, perhaps a bit stronger. Flavor: Sweet toffee with undertones of black pepper and oak. The alcohol warmth is gentle. Quite smooth. Aftertaste: A spicy finish emerges with more of that peppery flavor. Additional vanilla and toffee notes. Conclusion: It's actually a pretty decent whisky for casual drinking. Very much like crown royal and priced similarly. It works well for regular sipping when you want to save your pricier bottles. I'd purchase it again.