Lot No. 40 Cask Strength Third Edition

Appearance- medium golden brown, with a red hue. Clings wonderfully to the sides of the glass with nice fat, medium running legs. Nose- brown butter, hint of mint, rye bread with a touch of caraway seed—then fresh baked Jewish rye bread, reminiscent of your favorite bakery at 5 A.M.! Gives way to butterscotch candy. Palate- it coats the mouth and is velvety, coating well without being oily. The kind of mouthfeel one expects in quality rye—well-churned butter. I detect dark chocolate, cardamom, some new oak, mint, and dare I say a touch of hay (not a note typically favored in whisky, but rather welcomed; it reminds me of a wonderful fall barn in October). There are sweeter layers as it develops, like butterbrickle ice cream? The palate is more like a high-rye bourbon or Kentucky rye, BUT the rye-forwardness in the mash is present, subtle but not hidden, and why should it be??? Bourbon enthusiasts might be fooled into thinking this isn't a high-rye bourbon. Finish- shorter than I anticipated. I get cherry, cream soda, and a gentle warming, with a slight licorice note as it fades. If there's a flaw, perhaps the finish is too soft. There is a slight bitterness on the initial sip, which is quickly eliminated with water.

Lot 40 3rd Edition Cask Strength Comes in at a substantial 57% ABV, which isn't my preferred strength as I'm not keen on cask strength bottlings. I'll offer thoughts on both the 45% and 57% versions. The aroma is spicy rye with hints of what you might expect from a spirit aged in new American barrels. At 57% ABV, it hits the palate with surprising smoothness and less burn than anticipated. It's genuinely quite nice. The second taste is even more enjoyable once you've adjusted to the alcohol level. I appreciate the finish. The influence of European oak is apparent, providing warmth and rye spice. The finish is extended and drying. It achieves remarkable balance at 57% ABV; I prefer it as originally intended and released by its creator. I diluted this to 45% ABV using distilled water and precise measurements. At 45% ABV, the palate is exceptionally smooth, but you lose some of the intensity and nearly all the spicy, drying impact on the finish. I do not advise reducing the proof. This whisky is exceptional. Add it to the roster of fantastic and overlooked Canadian whiskies.

Fantastic! The French oak adds a superb dimension to the rye's spices. Aroma: Deep chocolate, honey, maple syrup, cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, grass, spearmint, cloves, apricots, mangoes, cola, root beer, green apples Taste: Cloves, nutmeg, walnuts, pecans, cinnamon, dark chocolate, baking spices, red apples, maple syrup, brown sugar Aftertaste: Dark chocolate, pecans, brown sugar, maple syrup, walnuts, cherries, cola

I find this whisky to be an excellent introduction to the series. The oak evokes nostalgic feelings of a cozy lakeside cabin. I will savor this.

Excellent body, which is lacking in many Canadian whiskies. Abundant floral notes, fruit, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, spicy rye, a significant amount of fresh oak, and some sherry.

Nose: Pear? Cherry. Taste: Sweet, but the alcohol is quite potent. Hints of vanilla and cherry, with spice at the end. Not an easy spirit to drink, but it's good.