J.P. Wiser's Last Barrels

A nice aspect of returning home for the holidays is the opportunity to revisit some whiskies I’ve put aside over the years. This one stands out from the group. The aroma is cedar-like, oaky, smoky wood, with a hint of paint thinner, and some pleasant cherry/cherry-wood (reminiscent of Buffalo Trace), a little custard, possibly spoiled milk? The body is somewhat thin. The taste has some of that faint cherry, some tart apple, cedar, a lot of dry oak, abundant baking spices, cinnamon sticks, pickling spices (clove, caraway, dill?), and a grainy texture. The finish is like tasting wood, with more of that spoiled milk. I enjoy this spirit considerably--it reflects its origin, which is to say it's a Canadian whisky made in the spirit of a straight bourbon. However, I believe people were overly enthusiastic about the scarcity of this bottle, leading to inflated ratings. It’s a decent whisky, but it can’t contend with the true highlights of the bourbon category. As an experiment, though, I find it quite appealing, and I’d be interested to see other Canadian distillers emulate Wiser’s approach with similar releases.

Sampled this at Spirit of Toronto. Aware that it was a limited release, I secured a bottle promptly. Now I desire another. An outstanding "bourbon-style" Canadian whisky. Sweet and fruity. I would be delighted to see other distilleries undertake limited runs of this nature. I'm fortunate to be in Ontario and have acquired it.

Absolutely incredible. Among the most purely delightful whiskies I've encountered. Undeniably the finest Canadian. In a separate category from Wiser's Legacy or Lot 40. More akin to a bourbon, a light, well-balanced, exceptionally smooth Canadian bourbon. Rated 92/100.

So exceptional that it's almost unfair how scarce it is and that we will likely never encounter its equal again.

prominent maraschino cherry, woodsy notes, black pepper, and cinnamon. A semi-sweet profile with a moderately bitter end. A fantastic whisky.

A gentle aroma. Spicy. Intense. Almost overwhelming. Needs an ice cube. Has a strong kick. Three and a half stars.