Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/359372
august 2014 / the tasting panel / 91 LOT NO. 40 CANADIAN RYE WHISKY After a brief hiatus, one of the most highly acclaimed and sought-after rye whiskies is back in circulation. Ultra-premium Lot No. 40 Canadian Rye Whisky from Corby Distilleries is a rare, unblended, single pot still whisky made entirely from rye grain and malted rye. It pays homage to Canada's long and prestigious whisky making heritage. "The word 'artisanal' best describes Lot No. 40," observes Cheryl Cavanaugh, Brand Manager, North American Whiskey for Pernod Ricard USA. "It's made in extremely small batches accord- ing to a seventh generation recipe and is matured in 100% virgin oak barrels. This whisky is for consumers who really know their whisky." A quick sip will immediately reveal why Lot No. 40 is in such high demand. It has a tantalizing bouquet saturated with red fruit, pepper, spice, toffee and honey aromas. The whisky immedi- ately fills the mouth with warmth and the flavors of vanilla, citrus, clove, ginger, fruit and baking spices. Its long finish is distinguished by the flavors of ginger, dried fruit, citrus and toasted oak. For such a powerful, muscular whisky, it is remarkably well balanced and thoroughly enjoyable. PERNOD RICARD USA PIKE CREEK CANADIAN WHISKY Pike Creek Canadian Whisky is a bold departure in style from what we've come to expect of Canadian whiskies. Made by Corby Distillers in Ontario, one of the famed distilleries in North America, Pike Creek is a blend of column-distilled grain whiskies that have been aged in re-charred white oak barrels. When deemed ready, the whisky is further matured in 550-liter port pipes. "The result is an 80-proof whisky that's hugely influenced by the wood, and, without a doubt, is a true small batch proposition with its limited production," states Cheryl Cavanaugh, Brand Manager, North American Whiskey for Pernod Ricard USA. "This whisky could only come from Canada. The warehouse is not temperature-controlled, which means it gets hot in the summer and really cold in the winter." In the glass, Pike Creek is an ideal marriage of grain and wood. The reddish/amber whisky is a balanced affair with a generous, port-laced nose and the long-lasting flavors of toffee, dried fruit and pepper. Priced between $30-35, the whisky offers a lot of luxury for the buck. PERNOD RICARD USA J.P. WISER'S CANADIAN WHISKY Americans developed an abiding fondness for Canadian whisky during the dry days of Prohibition, when the vast open border between our two countries posed no obstacle to bootleg- gers smuggling Canada's finest. Long a benchmark of quality north of the border, J.P. Wiser's is one of the oldest whisky brands in Canada. The bedrock of the range is J.P. Wiser's Rye, a blend of cereal grains and pristine, limestone- rich water. Wiser's Rye is matured in American oak barrels that are re-charred after every two uses. The whisky has a rich amber hue and the enticing aromas of dried fruit, toffee, raisins, spice and toasted oak. It's a perfectly balanced whisky with a lingering, spicy finish. "The J.P. Wiser's consumer is looking for a product of exceptional quality, one that stands up straight, mixes with cola and is a great value," states Cheryl Cavanaugh, Brand Manager, North American Whiskey for Pernod Ricard USA. "J.P. Wiser's Rye delivers a complex, yet smooth taste profile specifically developed for the U.S. market. Priced at around $23, it is clearly hitting all of the consumer sweet spots." The Wiser's portfolio also includes J.P. Wiser's Spiced Whisky, which features an added dash of vanilla and is a versatile whisky for drink making. J.P. Wiser's 18 Years Old is a premium blended whisky with generous aromatics and a rich fruit, spice and caramel palate. PERNOD RICARD USA