Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve (Discontinued)

This is my favorite expression from the Forty Creek lineup. If regulations allowed, I'd consume this divine nectar constantly. Copper Pot has an alcohol content of 43% and offers aromas of toffee, caramel, and warm baking spices. I first enjoyed this about 10 years ago mixed with cola. It makes a fantastic cocktail for any event and is a great introduction to whisky. I believe starting with their basic product, Barrel Select, is a good way to showcase their signature style. It also has delightful flavors of vanilla, ginger, and toasted oak. It's a go-to for around $40 for those seeking a certain experience. Returning to Copper Pot, I'd rate this 4 out of 5 for enjoyment, though it's not a barrel-strength whisky. It's pure enjoyment and always reminds me of my first taste. An expert score of 89... I'm unsure if that's accurate. Is it enjoyable? Yes. Can it be compared to a single barrel or cask strength? No! Would I suggest buying this over the premium bottles in their collection? Absolutely. Folks, get a bottle of this. It's affordable, offers excellent value, and has wonderful notes that keep you coming back year after year.

This isn't my first experience with this spirit. Years ago, I found a great deal at a liquor store, with most of the Forty Creek products at 50% off. Confederation Oak was $38, and this Pot Still Reserve was around $12, I believe. I bought as much as I could. This is one of the last two bottles from the case I acquired. Tasted neat after resting briefly post-pour. On the nose, it presents faint notes of honey, butter, toasted bread, and a hint of sweet vanilla. The palate follows through on these aromas, adding a light dusting of ginger and white pepper. The finish is short, clean, with a subtle rye spice. It's very enjoyable and has been a regular choice for me mixed with soda or ginger ale as a long drink. It's also pleasant served over ice for a casual sip, especially in warmer weather when I prefer something less intense. I haven't used it in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned, which is my oversight. I suspect it would perform well as a cocktail mixer when seeking a sweeter, smoother whiskey profile. While its 43% ABV might not make it overpowering, I'm sure it would show nicely. Recommended as a reliable, budget-friendly Canadian whisky option.

Nose: Sweet corn flake cereal, pleasantly floral with some white pepper, sweet apricots, candied apricots, a hint of honey, butterscotch and toffee-coated damp oak, caramel sauce, candied red apples, a kale salad with raisins and ranch dressing (odd, I know), a faint note of sweet-savory malt, ripe and drying white grapes, golden/sultana raisins, a semi-sweet amber/deep gold sherry-style wine, a touch of sweet corn, spicy steak seasoning (cloves, black pepper), medium brown tobacco, some turmeric and mustard seed, dried jerky, dusty rye followed by candy corn, peach candy, some sweet green apple, maple sap. Palate: Caramel, abundant dried fruit (apricots, raisins, figs, sweet caramelly dates, some prunes), the characteristic Forty Creek raisin bread profile, some steak spices (black pepper, salt, dried rosemary), slightly spicy and bitter oak, dark fruits (black cherry and plum), some wine-derived oak tannins, smoky oak char with some toffee, a whisper of sweet maple. Finish: Apricot, mild white pepper warmth, sweet thick honey, candied apples drizzled with honey and caramel, lime zest, a subtle root beer note, marshmallow candy, maple-toffee, candied orange peel, sweet tangerine peel.

Perhaps it's just that it's Girl Scout cookie season around here, but my initial thought was that this is exactly what a Samoa (or Caramel Delight...apparently there are regional variants for the names) would taste like if it were a whisky. Given that Samoas are my favorite Girl Scout cookie, I would call that a positive association. As soon as I poured myself a dram, I could pick up a rich, fudgy chocolate note. It's joined by caramel, vanilla, and coconut, and maybe even a little cherry cola. We're already talking my language here at the end of a long, stressful day. The palate doesn't disappoint, either; rich and full, it's full of chocolate, caramel, a slightly salty nut (pecan, maybe) accent, and bit of black pepper. The finish is reasonably long, with a slightly dry nuttiness to round things out. It's not the most challenging or complex dram of all time, but it is as pleasant as they come. This is a hell of a find for less than $30 a bottle, and it is certainly not the kind of anemic, characterless mixed drink fodder that's typical of mass market Canadian whisky. Definitely going on my list of go-to house whiskies!

Among the top spirits under $30 CAD! Let me know if you find anything superior. Some judge fine whiskey by its smoothness and lack of character; if that's your preference, this will likely score poorly. However, I detest seeing low ratings and hope such outliers are removed. This spirit has a thick, mouth-coating texture and a rich, decadent taste with notes of chocolate, spice, vanilla, and corn. There's a slight musty note, but it's genuinely delicious. It does have a bit of burn, but at 43% ABV, adding water sweetens and smooths it. An excellent whiskey, and I wouldn't consider other purchases until the $70 range, perhaps Wisers 18 or Canadian Rockies 21, or Bear Face at $39.

Thanks to the useful application we all utilize here, I was able to conduct some research and expand my knowledge of Canadian whisky. Canada often receives criticism, although the selections accessible in the USA are somewhat restricted, and word has it they reserve the superior products for themselves. Perhaps that's a wise strategy, but I'm pleased they've shared this one with us. Drinking this brings to mind being in a rustic woodworking shop while roasting marshmallows for s'mores. The distinct blend offers a malty, biscuity mouthfeel with subtle hints of chocolate and a satisfyingly long finish, perfect for relaxing in an armchair with a substantial book. At less than $30, and with a splash of water to enhance it, this is a truly delicious bargain!