Lot No. 40 11 Year Cask Strength

Aroma: Potent spices, primarily cinnamon, mint, cardamom, and a touch of cloves, are the first impression. Then comes roasted oak, bringing a pleasing burnt note akin to dark roast coffee, and even a subtle rubbery or medicinal quality. Some sweetness is also present, featuring maple, caramel, vanilla, and butter. With dilution: Better harmony with emerging floral notes and orange zest. Palate: As anticipated, spices dominate initially with a strong wave of peppermint, cardamom, menthol, cinnamon, and cloves. This is followed by warm sweetness, notably maple, caramel, and vanilla. A hint of floral notes, similar to some Chardonnays, is detected. With dilution: Improved balance, less sweetness, with spices and oak taking prominence. Maple becomes more pronounced in the sweet profile. A subtle orange or marmalade character emerges. Finish: Sweet, with abundant maple and butter, giving a distinctly Canadian feel. Roasted notes appear in the finish, reminiscent of dark espresso and a slight rubberiness (though not as medicinal as in the aroma). The finish then reverts to the initial spices, concluding with a very faint bubblegum note. A lengthy finish. Body: Medium to heavy, with a distinct oiliness. This contributes to a very pleasant, mouth-coating sensation. Overall: An outstanding whisky, arguably the finest Canadian whisky I have encountered. It would be a 4.5, but a slight rubbery note detracts one point. It is quite exceptional and offers excellent value for its price.

Appearance & Narrative: Excellent. The foil on the glass bottle is eye-catching; even my wife commented on its exciting appearance. I particularly appreciate the opportunity to taste cask strength Canadian whisky. Nose: Perfect. Strong rye spice, sweet caramel, a hint of burnt sugar, and a whisper of dill, exhibiting considerable depth. Palate: Very good. A powerful initial impact of rye and licorice flavors, though the licorice quickly subsides, yielding to fruit and caramel. I rated another cask strength Canadian, NOE Simple Task, quite low due to its harshness; this expression is considerably smoother and more harmonious. I'm not a big fan of black licorice or anise, and the NOE Simple Task became increasingly dominated by black licorice regardless of manipulation. The other flavors here – caramel, burnt sugar, and oak – are amazing and linger extensively with a superb finish! It even becomes more floral and sweet with water, unlike the NOE Simple Task, which seems to worsen with dilution. Overall, two very interesting whiskies for direct comparison! Finish & Heat: Good. Not as smooth as some cask strength Scotches I've had, but still enjoyable. Diluting it enhances the flavor, in my opinion. Overall: A truly interesting and unique whisky worth trying. I'm pleased I purchased it, although the price of $115 CAD after tax was a bit steep (comparable to some high-end whiskies). It might be difficult to acquire again, and as a limited edition, it won't be available indefinitely. So, I'll savor it while it lasts.

The aroma presents strong cinnamon, maple syrup, bright florals, freshly cut grass, green grapes, damp rye, white wine, vanilla, oak, candied orange peel, leather, and black tea with chai spices. The taste is intense, starting with immediate, strong, spicy rye that transitions to sweeter, fruitier notes of white grape juice, maple syrup, floral white wine, candied orange, and cinnamon sugar. Oak dryness emerges with dark chocolate, leather, followed by savory butter and black peppercorns on smoked bacon. The finish offers a warm oak flavor with light maple syrup, vanilla, and chai spices. Adding water enhances the floral aspect of the nose, makes the palate significantly spicier with brighter citrus notes, and the finish develops a warmer, candied oak character. —//— Rye Mark: 94 —//— Compared directly to the 12-Year Old at 55% ABV, I find the latter possesses a richer flavor with more oak and caramelized sweetness, while this 11-Year is spicier and more zesty. Both are excellent!

I missed out on the previous year's Lot 40 cask strength, so I'm thrilled to have obtained a bottle this year. This is bottle number 3668 of 4020. The nose has notes of oak and spices, followed by a strong hit of black licorice on the palate. The finish is long, peppery, and slightly bitter. It's surprisingly smooth for 58.4% ABV, with no alcohol sting whatsoever. Truly a fantastic Canadian whisky, the best I've encountered. Perhaps I should acquire another bottle while I can! Cheers.

This is hands down the finest Canadian Rye available. This bottle delivers a powerful impact with its remarkably high alcohol content of 55%. Lot 40 Cask Strength succeeds in offering a bold and flavorful profile, which is often a challenge at such elevated ABV levels. It begins with sweetness, featuring maple and subtle spice, and imparts a distinct warmth in the mid-chest. This is certainly a bottle worth cherishing for a considerable time.

A remarkable drink. It's bold and spicy, balanced by sweet caramel and oak. If you appreciate robust whiskey, you should definitely try this. As for whether it rivals the 12 year, 2017 release? For me, it doesn't quite capture the deep fruit and grassy herbal notes I also enjoy in strong Ryes.