J.P. Wiser's Seasoned Oak

Tasting Notes • Nose (undiluted): figs and raisins alongside some brown sugar, a hint of barrel char, a subtle floral note in the background • Palate (undiluted): rich and waxy, some rye spice, pepper, a little coconut, fresh cut oak • Finish: medium length, sweet toffee returns, some vanilla, the barrel char notes return, with some cloves and fresh coconut lingering alongside the slightly perfumed floral notes • With water, this whisky becomes much more floral, with a lingering hint of incense on the finish. It may sound odd, but it isn't at all unpleasant. The floral notes remind me of some exotic flowers I’ve never smelled before. That may sound ridiculous to include in a tasting note, but it’s the best I can do as I am no botanist. • The bottle improves and becomes more interesting over time. It’s unfortunate this isn’t a permanent addition to the Wiser’s selection. • Rating: 89/100 points

neat Allowed to breathe in the glass for 20 minutes Nose: Delicate and subtle with creamy vanilla and sawdust-like wood notes initially. Rye spice, clove, and crushed pepper. Almonds, burnt marshmallow caramel. Faint Bosc pear and wild blueberries. Palate: Creamy, sweet texture, but well-balanced upon entry. Chocolate fudge, vanilla, very ripe fruit. Chili and cinnamon emerge as it develops, with vanilla returning and wood settling in. Finish: Woody spice, astringent, dry. Reminds me of a wooden stick after eating maple candy. Once again, an excellent Wiser's

The nose begins with spicy, toasted oak that pairs well with creamy fudge, vanilla, and clove. Toasted oak is immediately apparent on the palate, followed by vanilla and caramel, supported by baking spices, mainly clove. In the finish, the spiciness fades into lingering chocolate and toasted oak, while the vanilla and caramel diminish subtly.

I purchased this fantastic Whiskey and quickly bought four more. It's better than Dissertation, which is high praise. It's incredibly smooth, and despite being 48% ABV, I detect no ethanol sting. A wide array of flavors emerge, making it quite fulfilling. I'm eager to witness the performance of this special edition flavor explosion at the World Whisky Awards. A certain master distiller has once again demonstrated his brilliance.

This is very similar to the Lot 40 Cask Strength from last year, but the slightly lower alcohol content and longer aging period give it a bit more subtlety, making for a very well-rounded, spicy, and enjoyable Rye. I highly recommend anyone make the effort to obtain one, even though it's an LCBO exclusive.

Gentle, aged rye spice, a characteristic of well-matured rye. It's much softer than another mentioned spirit but offers more palate engagement than the 18yo expression. A smooth, satisfying journey. Expect honey, vanilla, black pepper, and a hint of cinnamon. A worthwhile purchase.