J.P. Wiser's 18 Year

Looking at other opinions, this dram can be divisive. Some say it lacks flavor, has a strong alcohol smell, is too costly, and so on. Others mention its many accolades and praise its skillful creation. I have some thoughts. You are currently reading them. Let's begin. To judge this as an 18-year-old whisky and evaluate it the same way you would an 18-year-old Scotch would be unfair. While they share an age statement, their production methods are vastly different. Understanding how this whisky was made truly improved my tasting experience. It's primarily corn, and furthermore, it's distilled to an extremely high proof (around 95%), then barreled for aging. At such a high proof, it's essentially a neutral spirit, making this pour a study in oak. A small amount of 18-year-old rye is blended in, but the flavor largely comes from the barrel. This brand is certainly leveraging those peculiar Canadian liquor regulations. After sitting for about 20 minutes, the ethanol noted by others in different reviews is absent from the aroma. Instead, there's a bold greeting of classic Canadian scents-vanilla, maple, rye, some dried fruit, and that distinct woody note often found in Canadian whiskies. It's quite refined and intricate. The taste, even at 40% ABV, offers gentle, sweet barrel spices, more vanilla and maple, butterscotch, toffee, pepper, and a touch of tobacco. Right at the end of the palate, a tangy citrus note emerges, similar to grapefruit or the orange peel used in an Old Fashioned. The finish is remarkably long, with a cooling sensation and a lingering hint of pencil shavings from childhood, all while integrating the palate's flavors. AMAZING! A truly excellent dram. I certainly don't regret purchasing the bottle. Listen, I know we can't get most of the truly great Canadian spirits here in the States (although I just learned that Lot 40 CS is heading to MA & IL). This is one of the superior ones. "But it's too expensive." I've spent $130-$160 on 18-year-old Scotch, so no, it's not overpriced. An 18-year-old spirit for $60-$70? Count me in. "But it's 40% ABV." Who cares?! I've been guilty of being a snob about that in past reviews, but I'm changing my perspective for certain bottles. There are times and situations where 40% ABV is appropriate. Not every evening calls for cask strength. I would recommend getting this one. It requires some air time. That's the crucial factor. If you give it that, you'll be rewarded with one of the finest examples in its category. If you still dislike it, you can cry into your glass while cursing my name, but this one is a winner for me. Cheers!

3.7/5 - I'm pleased I didn't give up on this bottle. My initial impression was complete disappointment; I couldn't believe an 18-year-old whisky matured in wood barrels tasted as light and bland as a standard Canadian blend. I was expecting deep, rich flavors and something distinctly different from younger whiskies available. However, I feel differently now. Perhaps it's my current mood, but there's a specific oaky sweetness I'm really enjoying tonight. The vanilla, nutmeg, and creamy, custardy orange citrus are working their magic. The nose also has notes of maple, taffy, and a hint of coffee. There's an alcoholic sharpness on the nose initially, but it fades after about 20 minutes, allowing the true sweetness to emerge. I compared it side-by-side with Wiser's Deluxe, and the difference was quite apparent – much more refined, without any of the young, grainy off-notes that I typically don't even notice when drinking Wiser's Deluxe on its own. It's extremely light for an 18-year-old whisky, with no discernible finish, but that works in its favor here. If you approach it expecting an 18-year-old Scotch or a well-aged bourbon, you'll likely be very disappointed. This is simply a smooth, mild, yet well-refined and delicious corn whisky, presumably aged in used barrels.

If you appreciate Canadian whisky's typical profile--all vanilla and butterscotch, soft, sweet, and mellow, with just a hint of rye spice--you'll like this brand's offering. That pretty much describes this liquor perfectly. But at 18 years and $65 CAD, I feel this whisky should be significantly more interesting than it is. Flavors include vanilla, French vanilla, lemongrass, pencil shavings, ozone, cinnamon, and apple. Faint briny spices. A touch of cinnamon, some butterscotch. A hint of maple, and fresh wood in the finish. It's not bad, just very typical of Canadian whisky and not at all worth the price. It pales in comparison to the less expensive Wiser's Legacy--a genuinely rye-heavy, rye-forward spirit that could rival any American straight rye whiskey.

color: burnished nose: alcohol heat, artificial sweetness, wood spice, burnt... vanilla, pastries, starbucks palate: cherry, caramel, cotton candy, cinnamon, astringency/dryness finish: short given how long I had anticipated trying this, it was a letdown. at 40% abv, Canadian, and 18 years of age, it wasn't the most "smooth" (though someone did mention it softens after some time opened, so we'll see how that proceeds)

Quite sweet, with a rather lengthy finish considering it's only an 80 proof blend. Let it breathe for a minute or two before smelling it, and you'll be much more pleasantly surprised. For an 18-year-old, it doesn't overwhelm with oak, but the oak notes are certainly present. But the sweetness...it's pervasive. Like crème brûlée, and at times it hints at coffee, reminiscent of tiramisu. Maple is there too (it is Canadian, after all). A very enjoyable spirit to drink.

JP Wiser's 18 year. Made and bottled in Canada, 80 proof, color possibly added. Chill filtered. Aroma: not much, grainy, mild white oak. Taste: mild oak, peppery, grainy, spicy finish, some barrel bitterness. I was pleased there was not much sweetness, if any. Cost me $49.99 plus tax. Grade: B-/B (it was good but I anticipated better)