Lot No. 40 12 Year Cask Strength

Lot 40 Cask Strength: Wow, where to begin. Firstly, all opinions on taste are personal. What one person finds appealing, another may not. Furthermore, how someone consumes whisky – neat, on ice, or mixed – will yield different results. Similarly, someone who drinks frequently versus occasionally will perceive variations. All methods are valid, but for my part, I prefer it neat, as I believe that's the intended way to savor this spirit according to the Gods of Whiskey. The initial tasting reveals common notes of vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and oak. Upon a second, more thorough inhalation, hints of maple syrup and a bread-like quality emerge. Perhaps sourdough, based on others' comments. On the front of the tongue, there's a spice characterized by cinnamon and pepper. I detect more cinnamon, but the flavor profile is quite rich, despite a brief finish. This isn't a negative for a 12-year-old whisky. It goes down smoothly, with perhaps a minor tingle, but nothing I'd consider unpleasant. The 55% ABV at 12 years of age is impressive. It reaches exceptional levels, showcasing how cask strength should be appreciated. The bottle design complements its character, featuring a striking copper label that enhances its visual appeal and reflects its palate crossing. I would assert this is likely the premier Canadian Whisky available. It surpasses all other Canadian distillers and is an essential addition to any collection. It makes competitors like 40 Creek and Alberta Premium seem insignificant with its excellence. Hail the master, Lot 40: Cask Strength! Yeah baby!

To begin, I absolutely adore the standard Lot 40. Honestly, it might be my favorite rye for sipping. And for the price ($40 in Ontario), I don't hesitate to mix it with ginger ale. If you enjoy 'Rye and Ginger,' I highly recommend trying the standard version; it will change your life. Now, regarding the cask strength. How does one improve upon the standard Lot 40? By increasing the ABV to 55% and aging it for 12 years, naturally. I compared the cask strength directly with the standard. On the nose, the cask strength is, as anticipated, a bit more pronounced alcoholically. However, I was surprised by how little it burned. On the palate, it was the standard version amplified. Abundant dark fruit, spice, and a whisper of molasses. The finish lingered, as it should. Then came the fun part! I added five drops of water, and WOW!! Not only did the flavors become more intense, but the texture also became thicker and creamier. The standard Lot 40 simply doesn't react that way with water. I've experienced this with some single malts, but never a rye. After allowing it to rest for a few more minutes, cinnamon notes begin to develop. And the finish is long, bringing all the flavors back repeatedly. I'm absolutely thrilled with this rye. I won't be experimenting with ginger ale, that's for certain. It absolutely does not need it!

This is the pinnacle of Canadian whisky, plain and simple. I won't gush with excessive praise, as it's not flawless; in my opinion, the original, younger Lot 40 was perfectly aged, and a cask strength version of THAT expression was my ultimate aspiration. At 12 years, this bottling leans slightly bitter on the finish. However, it is unquestionably the finest Canadian whisky I've encountered. It requires time to breathe, but the aroma presents rich caraway, powdered sugar, hints of dill, vanilla, wood shavings, and clove. Notes of cinnamon and maple syrup are present. It's gentler than an American straight rye, offering rounded sweetness and a foundation of sourdough bread. It possesses significantly less burn than one might anticipate at 55% ABV. Initially fiery, it leads with spice—caraway, clove, and cinnamon. This is followed by sweet bread or dough, dill, vanilla, and some leather and rubber notes (used here in a positive sense). It's sweet, but not in an overly "Canadian whisky" manner—just a soft maple undertone. The finish is dry, with vanilla, a touch of tannin, and a slightly medicinal quality. While not perfect, it is delightful. Production is limited to a few thousand bottles; if you have the chance to acquire one, seize it. (Conversely, it's so good I hope you don't, so I can have it all.)

The aroma isn't the most potent but is full-bodied, smelling of rye bread with some sweetness and herbal undertones. It definitely hits harder than expected for a 110 proof. There's a lot happening here, with a lingering spice, floral and herbal notes, and a pleasant sweetness. It's a flavor explosion without being harsh. I definitely need to revisit this. 12/22/17 Same bottle, nearly 7 months later. The aroma is unmistakably rye, with rye bread and brown sugar, and a subtle floral hint. On the palate, sweet floral notes appear. It's flavorful but light. Not as complex as I recall. I suppose I'm not a huge rye enthusiast; this one seems a bit overhyped. 7/7/18 Different bottle. There's a musty note on the nose that I don't believe I've encountered before. It still stings slightly. Sweet bread and cola are present. A nice aroma. On the palate, there's a strong industrial character. Sweetness and a hint of tea are noticeable. I can understand its appeal to some, but I'm still not a major fan. 11/29/2021

Here's the 2017 Northern Borders Collection bottling I hadn't yet covered: the Lot 40 Cask 12-Year-Old Cask Strength. Many folks consider it the best of the bunch. I liked it when I tried it at a festival, but I never got around to the sample I had saved. I fixed that after a recent trip to Canada. The aroma offers a lot to discover: butterscotch, citrus, spice, and baking spices. It hits the palate with an oily, peppery texture, bringing classic rye notes such as cardamom and caraway. A strong wave of Seville orange marmalade in the middle moves the spirit to a lengthy, smooth finish with undertones of milk chocolate and additional orange. It's a fantastic spirit, although I liked the JP Wiser's 35 more from the 2017 releases. If only these yearly bottlings were easier to find beyond Canada.

The aroma was pleasant, similar to the standard No. 40 but perhaps a bit 'darker.' Despite hearing great things about the flavor, it was still impressive. The taste profile resembled the regular Lot 40, but with added dark fruits, spice, and hints of licorice, making it more intense. It stands among world-class ryes like Willets and A.D. Lawes. A superb rye at a very good price ($80 at LCBO) if you can find it. My only regret is not buying more.