Gooderham & Worts Four Grain Canadian Whisky

I was thrilled to find this available stateside at my local Total Wine. I've greatly admired the work of Dr. Don Livermore previously, but much of his best work doesn't reach south of the Canadian border. Some of the finest Canadian whiskies I've encountered include Lot 40 and Wiser's 18, both exhibiting what I term "subtle complexity." This expression is the highest rated of the four core offerings from Corby Distillers LTD. Upon first opening the bottle, I perceived a bourbon-like aroma. Layers of oak and vanilla were present, with a subtle hint of rye spice. After some time in the glass, a more traditional Canadian profile began to emerge, with maple syrup and a dusty wood character making their appearance. Following that, it was overwhelmingly vanilla: vanilla pudding, crème brûlée, vanilla ice cream, cream cheese frosting, and café latte. A considerable amount of delightful elements are present in the nose. The palate is unmistakably Canadian, but Dr. Don has demonstrated that this is not inherently negative. The masterful blending truly stands out, with corn and wheat sweetness, an oily mouthfeel from the malt, and the rye spice appearing on the mid-palate, developing into the finish. The 44.4 percent ABV is precisely balanced, and its presence is strongly felt in the finish, which lingers longer than is typical for Canadian whisky. I'm giving this a 4.25. I enjoy it as much as Wiser's 18, but it doesn't quite surpass 40 Creek Confederation Oak. I am very pleased with my purchase. Don't expect bourbon, but do expect a quality dram at an accessible price. Cheers!

COLOR: A medium gold hue, resembling King Tut's death mask after a light polishing for its 1922 press unveiling. VISCOSITY: Very thick streaks form on the glass; large beads developed and persisted for a long time before forming broken tears that descended slowly, suggesting a good mouthfeel. AROMA: Delicate to moderate intensity (rated 2/5). Notes of sweet corn, spicy rye, and malty richness are present, alongside caramel, honey, powdered candy, and licorice. Herbal and floral hints are also detected. Quite pleasant with no off-putting elements. WITH WATER (5 drops added to 10mL): The aromas are similar but subdued. Score 7/10. PALATE: Rich, oily (rated 4/5), thick, and rounded. Quite potent and has a noticeable bite (rated 5/5). Flavors include sweet corn, spicy rye, and malty barley, with vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, and liquid honey. Orange and sour citrus notes are present, along with licorice and strong herbal notes. A touch of salt and pepper is also detected. While not bad, there's a slight hint of young, herbal acetone in the background. WITH WATER: Not favorable, as sweet acetone dominates everything else. Score 7/10. FINISH: Very short and unremarkable, offering a blend of corn, rye, barley, and wheat. WITH WATER: Sweeter. Score 3/10. OVERALL: An interesting dram due to the history of G&W and the blend of four grains, which contribute to the overall profile without obscuring their individual characteristics. Weighted Score 6.6/10. IMAGERY: Envision standing on the Canadian prairie, experiencing the flavors of everything growing in the field.

Nose: Bubble gum with fruity notes (a mix of red apple, strawberry, banana), blue raspberry and pink strawberry cotton candy, grainy rye, a subtle floral cologne scent, mild spice (a blend of white and black pepper, cayenne, green bell pepper, and a hint of cloves), corn syrup and caramel, a touch of vanilla, some sweet and slightly spicy oak, pencil shavings, candied lemon peel, dill, lilac wheat floral notes, sweet creaminess, milk-soaked whole wheat cereal, a hint of unripe apricot, pine resin, minty milk chocolate filled with caramel, and malty chocolate/cocoa powder. Palate: Rye bread with orchard fruits (apricot, sweet pears, green apples), some light black and white pepper, a touch of honey, slightly bitter spicy green bell pepper, mildly spicy oak, a hint of vanilla and some caramel. Finish: Plenty of tangy apricot, a hint of sweet cream, sweet tea, caramel, mild cinnamon spice, some rye bread coated in margarine and honey.

This whiskey is amazing, complex yet surprisingly easy to drink. The influence of wheat, corn, and rye is distinct and perfectly balanced, resulting in a delicious, deep, and surprising spirit. The nose features dried, slightly dusty cereals, raisins soaked in spiced rum, crème brûlée topping, cherries, and significant sweetness, with a discernible cumin spice, making it very rich, complex, and potent. The palate is highly aromatic with an explosion of flavors mirroring the nose, tasting very sweet and pleasantly syrupy with a refined taste of brown sugar and blackberry fruit paste, evoking the color brown. The finish is medium-length, drier with more woodiness but still retaining good sweetness, and a return of the rum-soaked raisins. The value for the quality is exceptional. This is a must-try.

This G&W Four Grain is now my top whisky choice! Its complex, subtle flavors are perfectly integrated. It's best to let it rest in the glass for a bit first. The aroma offers caramel, dark fruits, sweet dusty grains, and a touch of black pepper, among other things. The palate begins with sweet caramel, then unfolds into a fascinating array of chewy and delightful tastes that are hard to distinguish individually, finally merging into spicy woody notes. While the other grains are perceptible, they gently support the rye, which is the star. The finish is a pleasant medium length, bringing a touch of bitterness, some cherry, and a hint of roast beef... oh wait, that was the reheated leftovers from my wife. This inventive Canadian whisky makes me proud!

Finally, a Canadian whiskey that doesn’t smell or taste like every bottle of Crown that came before it. The nose is super subtle and doesn’t feel the need to try and get your attention with sickly sweet notes. There is some complexity here, with layers of corn, tree nuts, maple and caramel coming out of the glass. The palate backs up the nose, refusing to give in to that classic Canadian sweetness, instead delivering more grain, spice and barrel tannins, wrapped in a rich oily mouthfeel. Unexpected and greatly appreciated. The finale doesn’t disappoint, with a long finish that brings more wood and mild warmth than most other things you’ll find on the Canadian shelf. For the price, I can’t believe people are buying anything else, but please don’t mix this, neat pours only.