> Alberta Premium 30 Year Old Limited Edition®
Crisp clean oak and fresh red cedar, ripe fruit, butterscotch, vanilla, grapefruit pith, simmering spices, and dusty rye. A quick explosion of flavour followed by a slow, complex reveal. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★★
> Alberta Premium aged 25 years (40% alc./vol.)
Sweet vanilla pods and fresh-cut lumber. A complex mosaic of flavours from cedar to tropical fruit set on a creamy base with hot pepper and a delicate underlying citric zest. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★★
> Alberta Springs aged 10 years (40% alc./vol.)
Luscious and weighty with beautifully integrated aromatic spices and waves of white pepper. Sweet, like Mackintosh’s® toffee, vanilla and dried fruit. Citric zest, linen, some dustiness, and hints of oak. Spicy Rye. ★★★★☆
> Bison Ridge Special Reserve 8 Year Old (40% alc/vol)
Buttery caramels with refreshing bitters in an oaky, peppery, and weighty dram. Mouth warming, spicy and smooth as the proverbial silk. Simple, straight forward, and richly flavourful. ★★★★
> Black Velvet aged 3 years (40% alc./vol. (80 proof))
Candy, sweet, dark fruit, cream sherry, pepper and hot spices, dusty, floral rye, spirit, slight zestiness, and hints of fresh wood. Fruity and Spicy. ★★★
> Black Velvet Deluxe (40% alc./vol.)
Creamy caramel and hot pepper. Ripe dark fruit, citric zest, fresh-cut wood and hints of spirit. Mild rye spices – cloves, cinnamon, ginger. A bit under-stated. Spicy Rye. ★★★☆
> Black Velvet Reserve 8 years old (40% abv (80 proof))
Caramel and pepper dominate well-defined fruits, fresh oak, vanilla, rye spices and zesty undertones. Both dusty and oily. Rich and Round. ★★★★
> Bush Pilot’s Private Reserve (43% alc./vol.)
Crisp, clean, Canadian oak. Musty corn, cardboard, gentle caramels and vanilla. Herbal, slightly spicy and quite peppery with a cleansing citric pith. Malty & Dry. ★★★★☆
> Canadian Club 30 year old (40% alc./vol.)
Fragrant and flavourful with sweet dark fruit, loads of fresh-cut wood, hot pepper, and recurring rich tobacco notes. Deceptively complex and surprisingly lively. Rich & Round. ★★★★★
> Canadian Club aged 15 years (40% alc./vol.)
Creamy smooth and full-bodied. Peppery with subtle, understated fresh cedar, black fruits, caramel, musty corn, citric zest, and pith. Soft Corn. ★★★★☆
> Canadian Club aged 20 years (40% alc./vol.)
A weighty, highly integrated, and fruity synthesis of wood, toffee, vanilla, dusty rye, and baking spices, with developing hot pepper, dark fruits, prune juice, and citric zest. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★★
> Canadian Club Classic 12 year old (40% alc./vol.)
Sweet oak caramels and burnt sugar, raisins, prunes, and Christmas cake. Peppery with a slippery creaminess and underlying notes of clean oak. Fruity & Spicy. ★★★☆
> Canadian Club Dock No. 57 (40% alc/vol)
A typical fruity, rye-forward Canadian Club nose becomes sweet, hot, and spicy on the tongue. The most whisky like of the spiced whiskies with added notes of black licorice, Mom’s baking vanilla and a touch of clean oak.
> Canadian Club Reserve 10 years old (40% alc./vol.)
Sweet, peppery, and fruity, with a pleasing bitter zest. Hard, flinty, earthy rye tinged with cinnamon and ginger. Nice weight and creamy mouthfeel. Spicy Rye. ★★★★
> Canadian Club Sherry Cask (41.3% alc./vol.) Batch SC-018
Rich and very fruity– from raisins to peaches to berries. Sweet hot tobacco, black tea, pencil shavings, pepper and baking spices. Fruity & Spicy. ★★★★☆
> Canadian Hunter 40% alc./vol. (80 proof)
Faint spirit evolves into robust rye spices with rich butterscotch, hints of dry grain, and ripe dark fruits. Very flavourful and mouth-filling with sizzling pepper, fleshy dark fruits and lime peel. Spicy Rye. ★★★☆
> Canadian Mist (40% alc./vol. (80 proof))
Toffee sweet, vanilla, grassy with citric fruits, and a cleansing bitter lemon zest. Some earthiness, sour mash, rye grain and rye spices, with a youthful spirit. Malty & Dry. ★★★☆
> Canadian Mist Black Diamond (43% alc./vol. (86 proof))
Brio, cola, white pepper, ginger, sultanas, prunes, coconut, grapefruit zest and juice, dry grain, mash, and hints of fresh-cut lumber. Fruity & Spicy. ★★★☆
> Caribou Crossing Single Barrel (40% alc./vol. (80 proof))
Creamy vanilla, a dusting of rye spices, bursts of citrus and a veritable tsunami of fresh-cut wood. Soft Corn. ★★★★★
> Century Reserve 21 year old (40% alc./vol.)
Rich in nuance and suggestion, though muted, this is about as complex as pure corn whisky gets, with bittersweet citric notes, lilacs, spices, fresh-cut wood, and hot pepper. Soft Corn/Rich & Oaky. ★★★★☆
> Chinook 5 year old Canadian Whisky (40% alc./vol.)
Ripe fruit and stewed prunes with vanilla coconut custard, blistering hot spices and a nutty cereal side accented with rose water, dusty roads and hints of oak. Fruity & Spicy. ★★★☆
> Collingwood (40% alc/vol.) Canadian Whisky Review
Dark fruits, Concord grapes, roses and spring flowers with a rich and creamy mouthfeel. Split cherry firewood with earthy rye and tingling hot pepper. Floral & Fragrant. ★★★★
> Crown Royal Black 45% alc./vol. (90 proof)
Rum-soaked Christmas cake. Creamy, with vanilla, hot pepper, ginger, dark fruit, orange bitters, Bourbon, charcoal, oak, and floral notes. Rich and Round. ★★★★
> Crown Royal Cask No. 16 (40% alc./vol.)
Peaches, apricots, Concord grapes and Port wine with rye spices, hot white pepper, peach pits and bitter lemon. Fresh-cut lumber. Fruity & Spicy.★★★★☆
> Crown Royal Fine De Luxe from 1963 (40% alc./vol.)
A complex synthesis of ginger, clove oil, hot white pepper, cedar lumber, and prunes, with fresh spring lilacs and pansies and wilted tobacco. Caramel, vanilla and cooling citric pith. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★★
> Crown Royal Limited Edition (40% abv)
Controlled, elegant, creamy, and balanced with nutmeg, cloves and ginger, hot pepper and peppermint, green and ripe apples, floral bourbon-like vanilla and oak, cereal, and orange bitters. Spicy Rye. ★★★★☆
> Crown Royal XR – Extra Rare (40% alc./vol.)
A rich, weighty, hugely complex and skillfully structured whisky displaying ripe red fruit, fresh-cut oak, hot spices, dry grain, and violets. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★☆
> Danfield’s Limited Edition 21 years old (40% alc./vol.)
Classic rye spices—cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and pepper—all brought together in a lumber yard. Sweet, fragrant wood with a tangy citric zest and lots of weight. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★☆
> Forty Creek Barrel Select (40% alc./vol.)
Creamy, sweet corn whisky with dusty, earthy rye, ripe red fruits, sherry, sweet-and-sour sauce, floral perfume, ginger, cinnamon, hot pepper, and hints of citric peels. Fruity & Spicy. ★★★★
> Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve (40% alc./vol.)
Butterscotch, fresh-cut wood, toasted oak and wood smoke. Sweet vanilla, berries, barbeque sauce, mash, granola. Restrained, but full-flavoured. Rich & Round. ★★★★☆
> Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve (40% alc./vol.)
Toasted oak sugars, vanilla, hot pepper, mustard, and ginger. Lemon cream, sweet- and-sour rye, dry grain, new sawdust, fresh fruit, and a citric zestiness. Almost chewy. Soft Corn. ★★★★☆
> Forty Creek John’s Private Cask No. 1 Review
Bursting gingery spice bombs, dark fruits, clean sweet wood, and crème caramel. A spice
“Monster.” Sultry fruits and dusky rye spices like fireworks in an ancient muggy rainforest. Spicy Rye. ★★★★★
> Gibson’s Finest aged 12 years (40% alc./vol.)
Crème brûlée, oak, cedar, spicy pepper, cloves, citric zest, black fruits, strawberries and cream. Masterfully balanced and seamlessly integrated. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★
> Gibson’s Finest Rare Bourbon Cask (40% alc./vol.)
Creamy, soft, round and smooth. Fresh-cut wood, caramel, and vanilla. Hot peppery spices, a slight saltiness, and gentle citric zest. Mildly floral and fruity. Soft Corn. ★★★★
> Gibson’s Finest Sterling (40% alc/vol)
Rich and creamy mouthfeel with a plethora of sweet fruits and berries, citric zest and pith, a nuttiness, black pepper, and hints of spirit. Soft Corn. ★★★★
> Gibson’s Finest Rare 18 years old (40% alc./vol.)
Sweet, spicy oak and pine sawdust, rich in toffee, vanilla, and hot spicy pepper. Biscuits, with typical rye dustiness, spice, fruit, and just a drop of pickle juice. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★☆
> Glen Breton Battle of the Glen (43% alc./vol.)
A complex interplay of fresh fruit, spring flowers, nutty grain, and hot white pepper all kept in place by the pith of white grapefruit. Floral & Fragrant. ★★★★☆
> Grand Grizzly (40% Alc/Vol)
Black pepper and an earthiness reminiscent of agave spirit give way to hard and gingery rye while citrus zest, with dark fruits, real black pepper, and dashes of pickle juice meld into cold wet slate. ★★★★
> Lord Calvert Canadian (Seagram’s 1970-80s) 40% alc./vol.
Maple butter, vanilla, and butterscotch. Dry wood, shellac, cedar, apricots and lilacs. Fresh-churned butter. Balanced, simple, and very flavourful. Soft Corn. ★★★☆
> Lot 40 (43% alc./vol.)
Rye, rye bread, sour rye, floral rye, hard rye, earthy rye, dusty rye grain, and then sweet citric notes, oranges, hot peppery spices, and tannic wood. Spicy Rye. ★★★★★
> Masterson’s Straight Rye Whiskey (45% alc./vol.)
A carefully crafted panorama of grassy dry grain, moist earth and burlap sacks, along with zingy pepper, blossoming floral vanilla, fragrant leather and tobacco leaves. Spicy Rye. ★★★★★
> Pendleton 1910 Canadian Rye Whisky 40% alc./vol
Butterscotch and maple fudge with cleansing zesty limes. Gingery hot pepper and fresh cooling mint. Crisp charred oak. Rich, weighty, balanced, and ever so complex. Fruity & Spicy. ★★★★☆
> Proof Whisky (42% alc./vol) – Canadian Whisky Preview
Introducing Proof Whisky, a new Canadian whisky from Toronto’s Proof Brands, that has been showing up quietly on LCBO shelves for the past couple of weeks.
> Revel Stoke Spiced Whisky (45% alc/vol (90 proof))
Rich and creamy; smooth as the proverbial baby’s bottom. Vanilla, camphor, cherry cough drops, spicy pepper, and pleasing citric pith. Tasty Spice.
> Rich & Rare Reserve (40% alc./vol. (80 proof))
Full-flavoured and peppery with creamy maple syrup, clean oak, hints of rose petals, dark fruit, and tangy oranges. Fruity and Spicy. ★★★★
> Royal Canadian Small Batch (40% alc/vol (80 proof))
A very sweet fruit smoothie with earthy rye, hints of fresh oak, hot pepper, baking spices, pickle juice, spirit, and refreshing bitter notes. Fruity & Spicy. ★★★☆
> Royal Reserve Canadian Rye Whisky (40% alc./vol.)
Prototypical light and smooth 1970s cocktail whisky. Starts small, gradually becoming complex but subtle, with brittle rye, hot pepper, creamy toffee and lemon zing. Spicy Rye. ★★★☆
> Royal Velvet (40% alc./vol.)
Pine pitch, Canada balsam, butterscotch, clove oil, dusty rye, pickle juice, hot pepper, flowers, and assorted fruits all neatly stitched into one. ★★★★☆
> Seagram’s VO (40% alc./vol.)
Much nuance, many hints. Pepper, ginger and other rye spices, ripe dark fruit, earth, dry grain, floral notes, vanilla, cedar, Fruity & Spicy. ★★★
> Shelter Point 5 Year Old Single Grain Rye 46% alc/vol
A complex synthesis of maple sugar, licorice cough drops, ripe black fruits, sweet flowers, and sizzling pepper painted in oils on an artist’s canvas. ★★★★
> Snake River Stampede 8 year old 40% abv (80 proof)
Butterscotch, dusty rye, hot white pepper, dark fruits and ginger. Refreshing citric pith and zest. Creamy smooth, then slightly grippy. Spicy Rye. ★★★★
> Still Waters 1+11 Canadian Whisky (40% alc/vol)
A tingling effervescence turns initially buttery, mouth-filling, toffee indulgences into clear, clean refreshment. Ever-present hot pepper is restrained by a richness of body and crisp cleansing pith. ★★★★☆
> WhistlePig 10 year old Straight 100% Rye Whiskey
Dave Pickerell is a true icon of the American whisky industry so when he declares Canada as the source of the world’s very best rye whisky, that’s news to be shouted from the rooftops.
> White Owl Spiced Whisky (40% alc/vol)
Subtle vanilla, crisp oak, rich butterscotch and subtle rye spices, then hot pepper, lots of citrus pith in the finish with tingling ginger and cloves – a most whisky-like spiced whisky.
> White Owl Whisky 40% alc./vol.
Sprite™, citrus fruit cooler, anise, soft baking spices, butterscotch, hot cayenne, hints of oak tannins. Probably the tastiest white whisky anywhere in the world.
> Wiser’s Legacy: Canadian Whisky Review
Sweet, rich and very spicy with overt rye notes. Cinnamon and cloves, dark fruits, hot peppermint and citric zest. Spectacular. Very highly recommended. ★★★★★
> Wiser’s Small Batch (43.4% alc./vol.)
Big whisky. Cinnamon, cloves, and other rye spices. Dark fruits, vanilla, butterscotch, cedar oil, some earthy tones, and a slight flintiness. Weighty. Spicy Rye. ★★★★☆
> Wiser’s Red Letter, 150th Anniversary (45% alc./vol.)
Complex, ever-changing flavours of dry grain, tobacco, Christmas spices, wood smoke, new tires, sour German rye bread, black fruits, cedar and fresh-sawn oak, toffee, vanilla, hot pepper, and bitter grapefruit. Rich & Oaky. ★★★★★
For the same price than the Gibson’s 21yo, this Wiser’s is a very good deal. This would be a great introduction to Canadian whiskies.
I tried this whisky in Toronto and loved it. Was wondering if you know if this is exported to the UK?
Hi Pete,
As far as I know it is not available in the UK. I know the folks at the Whisky Exchange told me they would like to be able to sell it. And you are right, this is really very good whisky.
A wonderful whisky with one of my favourite bottles/presentations.
A friend from Canada had a bottle and I’m hooked! I wonder if you can purchase it in Florida.
This tastes great when you add lemon juice to it. Yummmmmmmm!
Quick question,
I’ve been planning on getting a bottle of the Wiser’s 18 and have seen it in several places so haven’t hurried, despite the numbered bottle (which seems to me to indicate that it’s not going to be around for long)
Yesterday in my travels I found some Wiser’s Very Old, which I don’t recall seeing before (despite the Alberta Liquor guide website showing it in several places I’ve been). It was about the same price, and funnily labelled on the store’s price tag as Wiser’s Oldest.
I guess my question is, is there much difference between Wiser’s 18, Wiser’s Very Old (and Wiser’s Oldest, if three is a seperate expression), AND which one would you recommend? Is the Very Old just the standard 18 yr old that preceded the current square green labelled & numbered 18?
That was wordy, apologies
Piers
Hi Piers,
To my knowledge Wiser’s Very Old and Wiser’s 18 are one and the same. Are they both in the square bottle? There was an 18 year old out some years back that came in a dumpy round bottle and was also 18 years old. If you see one, buy it. There was also an older version of the 18 year old in the square bottle with a dark green label that had a coin on the front of the bottle. If you can get a picture that would help.
Davin
The Very Old is square but not as squared off on the corners as the 18, and the label does indicate Very Old 18
this is it here, yes, with the coin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:P1010534.JPG
Hi Piers,
I just did a quick head to head. Perhaps there is some minor batch variation, but they are essentially the same whisky.
Davin
Thanks very much Davin.. maybe I’ll get both, just to show off two different bottles of great whisky
hi i was recently going through some coins i had and came across an odd one. its from 1980 and its made by wisers, if anybody has any info on how much its worth and also why did wisers make coins??
Hi Mark,
The coin was stuck onto the label of their 18 year old whisky – just part of the packaging. It never occurred to me that it might be worth anything. Probably best to ask a coin dealer.
Davin
What a remarkable whisky – particularly the nose. After one tasting I place this bottle on my shelf inbetween AB Prem 25 and Danfield’s 21. Sharp and distingued looking bottle as well.
-Tim
The only whisky I buy.
I had never been a whiskey drinker as I always thought it would be too strong…but the 18 year old Wisers is so smooth that I can actually enjoy it on the rocks…my favourite way is with ginger-ale…but as a woman that doesn’t drink that much this is may very favourite.It is so worth it!
its now $55 at the LCBO.
I grabbed a bottle of what was labeled “Wiser’s Oldest” during a venture across the border from the U.S. in 2001. It was unquestionably the most drinkable whiskey I had ever tried. Having traveled the world, and drunk many whiskeys, this was a big surprise. Trying not to lead her on, I gave a small glass to my wife who does not drink her spirits without a mixer, and waited for a response. To my surprise, she liked it a great deal. It is very smooth drink, and ultimately drinkable by even a novice.
Hi Shawn, Yeah, Wiser’s 18 “Oldest” really is a tasty treat. Davin
does anyone know if I can buy Wiser’s 18 year old at Toronto Airport duty free
Yes you can. My friend just got me a bottle from there while coming back to the US this past weekend.
People claim only 3500 bottles produced. Bottle says 3500 cases. Jim Murray’s 2011 Whisky Bible claims only 3500 bottles made. Which is true?
Hi Marc,
Must be a different whisky. Murray’s book doesn’t mention Alberta Premium 30 year old at all, and my bottle says 700 cases.
Hi Davin,
Sorry, you misunderstood. I’m asking about the production amount of the Wiser’s 18 year old.
Oh, my mistake, sorry. Off hand, I can’t remember, but 3,500 cases sounds about right. 3500 bottles is less than 300 cases and it would be very expensive to set up the bottling line for that, never mind all the other processes along the way.
Hi Davin:
I have a bottle of 1957 Wiser’s Oldest – 18 year old whiskey and a 1961 Order of Merit from Schenley. Both have never been opened. Just wondering how to go about appraising them?
Hi Therese,
Those old Wiser’s bottles don’t come up too frequently in Canada but I can tell you the whisky in them is quite delicious. This is real classic old Canadian whisky with crisp clean woodiness and lots of spicy rye. Unfortunately Canadian whisky does not appreciate in value the way Scotch does, so it is probably not worth a whole lot. This bottle comes from the old demolished Corbyville distillery. You could have a look on e-Bay for similar bottles. I have bought two, both for less than $100. (1949 and 1954 editions).
Order of Merit has a very good reputation among connoisseurs and collectors in the U.S. I have seen it go for well over $100 on e-Bay. You may want to try listing it there with a reserve bid. If you can’t get at least $100, I would suggest you open it and share it with whisky-loving friends.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for contacting canadianwhisky.org.
Davin
Hi all
I have a bottle of Wiser’s Oldest 18 years old, bottled in 1947, never opened and in Original Packing.
Is somebody interested in helping me , finding out the price for this bottle and wether I should keep it or not.
thanks and best regards from Meersburg, Germany
Joe Löwer
Hi Joe,
I think you have a very nice bottle there. Unfortunately Canadian whisky does not appreciate in value the way Scotch does, (at least not yet), so it is probably not worth more than 100 euros, maybe less. This is real classic old Canadian whisky with crisp clean woodiness and lots of spicy rye. The distillery where it was made is demolished now but the new distillery still does a really good job of keeping it going with the same flavour profile. If I were you I would gather some whisky loving friends around and let everyone taste it. The memories will last for a long time. If you want to sell it you could try whiskyauction.de. They also have an archive showing prices for the last 10 years or so. It is organized by country so really easy to find similar bottles.
Thanks for contacting canadianwhisky.org.
Davin
Love this stuff, however, noticed in BCLDB stores the product has gone up to $65.00 / bottle. My last bottle was Christmas 2010 for $49.98.
Anyone know the reason for the hike?
John
As I slowly work my way through Davin’s excellent Holiday and Best of 2011 lists of whiskeys I finally made it to the Wiser’s 18 and it is a worthy addition to my collection!
I love the complexity and balance and can now place it in context with the Legacy.
To belatedly suggest an answer to the above query concerning why the price shift upwards at the BCLDB (and most probably across Canada). I’ll hazard a guess that Wiser’s originally positioned the Legacy at the top of their regular selections and priced it accordingly with the 18 falling into second position. Perhaps due to a lack of sales on the part of the Legacy at the $65. price point it was switched with the 18 and there they sit to this day. All about marketing and perception it seems.
Next up will be the Gibson’s 18 when I manage to pick up a bottle and a head to head with the Wiser’s 18.
Any thoughts comparing the two?
They are both excellent whiskies and similar in many ways. I find the Gibson’s slightly “softer.”
“This whisky takes you to two very different places at once. Its dry grass, fresh water, and vague hints of pine recall a fall day on the Canadian Shield. But then its leathery redolence of burley tobacco leaves brings to mind the late-August aromas of the kilns in Tilsonburg, Ontario”..
I grew up in Tillsonburg and now live in Timmins right in the middle of the sheild, and your description hit the nail on the head.. Reminds me of my two favorite places, I suppose thats why its my favorite.
-Gord
Hi Gord,
Thanks for your comment. I was a kiln hanger for a season and I have spent lots of time enjoying the Shield.