J.P. Wiser's 35 Year

Revisiting the Northern Borders collection from 2017 for my second multi-decade-old sample tonight, and it's a real pleasure. It's a perfect execution of the Bourye concept, far smoother and better integrated than the High West standard. Delightfully creamy at first, then peppery towards the end, it concludes with a very long finish that leaves a pleasant vanilla ice-cream-like aftertaste. I could enjoy this all evening. For a spirit that has matured for over 35 years in oak, some of it new, the wood influence is remarkably well-managed. It's certainly not a complex drink, but for sheer enjoyment, it's hard to beat.

Nose: burnt caramel, damp and green wood, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves. A hint of cocoa and a touch of vanilla. Smells like a damp attic and old book pages. Palate: an initial woodiness, rye spices, and caramel. As it develops, damp hay emerges, along with dried dill and thyme. Finish: it lingers in the mouth and on the sides of the tongue. Long and persistent with spices and wood. A pleasant afterscent of green wood. It's superb!!

Like High West Bourye amplified Absolutely phenomenal! How do the Canadians manage to produce such aged whiskey and rye at such affordable prices? This costs $125 in Canada and the UK and is a 35-year-old whiskey. Incredibly good. Flawlessly balanced. No shortcomings whatsoever in the aroma, the taste, or the finish. Oak, vanilla, caramel, with enough rye to satisfy a rye lover. Wow, I need another glass.

This is superb. The aroma is rich and immersive. It leans slightly sweet, but early oak and a touch of spice keep it balanced. It's not too strong, though. The palate requires consideration. It's buttery, reminiscent of butter tarts with baking spices and baked apples. The structure is remarkable, and each sip offers a full sensory experience. The finish has a slight tartness, but it's a pleasant sourness, dry and woody.

Incredible! Nose: Vanilla, Honey, Cotton Candy, Caramel, Cherries, White Chocolate, Red Apples, Walnuts, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Dark Chocolate, Raisins, Apricots, Root Beer, Cola Palate: Caramel, Root Beer, Cola, Cloves, Spearmint, Cherries, Milk Chocolate, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Maple Syrup Finish: Root Beer, Dark Chocolate, Honey, Caramel, Cherries, Maple Syrup

I thoroughly enjoyed this whisky from the initial woody scent on the nose to the enduring finish. The oak presence was moderate, allowing the gentle vanilla and sweet caramel to linger pleasantly. I savored my glass for a considerable time, appreciating the flavors, and would rate it 5.5 if possible.