Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve

Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve 40% ABV. Bottled in Canada. Age not stated, minimum of 3 years. Owned by Campari group. Aged in white oak and finished in former bourbon barrels. Smell: maple/vanilla sweetness, faint oak/char Taste: mild to moderate maple/vanilla/caramel sweetness, a little to some barrel influence on the finish. Slight dryness, some strange/unidentifiable notes. Cost: 47.99 + tax for a 750ml bottle, it's acceptable but certainly not worth the price. Rating: C+

I sampled this Canadian whisky neat at 40% ABV in the evening. It has been chill-filtered and contains artificial coloring. Scents of vanilla, crème brûlée, dark cherry, and honey emerge from the barrel aging. The flavor mirrors this with a hint of walnut appearing as the alcohol burn is almost absent. It's a very easy sipper, but in exchange, it offers very little complexity. The finish is short with a faint caramel and spice.

A slightly fruity, sugary nose with undertones of maple and vanilla. The palate is well-balanced with a tart caramel apple, a late spicy kick, and an herbal foundation. Additional notes of sweet vanilla birthday cake, anise, and baking spice complete the palate. The finish is the highlight of this bottle, lingering on the tongue and in the gums and cheeks with a sweet warmth and a mellow campfire undertone.

I was searching for a smooth, mellow Canadian whisky suitable for drinking straight. This Double Barrel Reserve appears to be just that. Given that Single Malt Scotch starts around $100 here in Ontario, I was eager to find a substitute I'd enjoy. This is an excellent value at under $40.

Aromas of pecan, toffee, vanilla, hazelnut, and barrel char. It feels silky and slightly oily in the mouth. The palate reveals more pecan, vanilla, and hazelnut – plus salted caramel, and on the finish, some rye characteristics (pepper, dry grass). The finish is smooth with a very pleasing length. 3.50 out of 5.00 – Impressive (served neat)

This was actually drinkable, not terrible neat but not particularly impressive either. The value for money isn't too bad, especially if consumed neat or on ice. Using it for mixing would be a waste of funds. It wasn't engaging enough for me to sip repeatedly, so I would skip it next time.