In the autumn of 2017, Corby Spirit and Wine Limited announced the Northern Border Collection Rare, a premium range of Canadian whiskies that serves as a big departure from the core brands many international consumers associate with Canada (Canadian Club, Crown Royal, J.P. Wiser’s) by focusing on smaller brands within their portfolio ripe for promotion. The series is essentially among the best offered by Hiram Walker Distillery and cultivated by their Master Blender, Dr. Don Livermore, to showcase a different aspect of Canadian whiskies along with an elevation to the regular Northern Border Collection. The Lot 40 11 Year Cask Strength is their 2018 edition and is made from 100% rye and, if it is treated anything like the regular Lot 40, it is column-distilled and then put through a pot still to smooth out the rough edges.
Distillery: Hiram Walker
Region: Foreign
Age: 11 years
Strength: 58.4%
Price: $79.16
Bottle: Bottle 3852 of 4020, Batch 2 (2018)
Location: Windsor, Ontario
Nose: Mint, wintergreen, rye
Palate: Syrup, rye, vanilla, oak, plum, blackberry, wintergreen
Finish: Spice, vanilla
Comments: Packs a bit of punch at full strength, so experiment with a few drops of water. The core flavors do not muddle, surprisingly.
Adam – While I am generally not a fan of many American ryes, given how often their balance is supplied with corn or wheat, I have to admit a certain fondness for the Lot 40 brand. The memory of our first exploration of it some years ago compelled me to take a chance on this premium sibling. The Lot 40 11 Year certainly delivers on its promise right from the outset, with the mint and rye providing strange yet intriguing bedfellows on the nose. With a little care, this is quite drinkable at full cask strength, delivering a surprising parade of flavors ranging from the mint and rye found in the nose to some darker fruits, subtle yet present before transitioning to a simple but pure vanilla and spice mix to finish out the experience as it sinks warmly into your chest. The mouthfeel is syrupy and luxuriant, with the spice keeping from hanging around too long. Spice can be a dangerous thing to have in a cask strength whisky, yet the amount found here is just enough to intrigue even un-watered, never dominate. The blackberry takes a while to show itself, after you’ve become used to the stronger rye and wood elements, but it is also hard to disengage once you notice it. So fascinating. The age really shows here, bringing a greater balance and complexity than the original, with the higher proofing adding an extra oomph to an already bold whisky. The only disappointment here is that the premium lines out of Hiram Walker like the Lot 40 11 Year are only for sale in certain provinces within Canada. I hope distribution improves, because the entire world needs the opportunity to enjoy some of the wonders being crafted in such northern climes.
Meghan – There is a lot of wintergreen on the nose, reminiscent of snow and pine trees. The whisky itself is quite viscous, almost syrupy. However, it tastes dry. There’s a slight reddish purple fruit to the palate, like plums or under-ripe blackberry. A bit of water brings the wintergreen from the nose forward into the palate. The finish is very classic of a rye whisky, a lot of spice but nothing long lasting. There’s some vanilla but more on the artificial vanilla extract than vanilla bean.
It’s telling a story and makes sure you hear every word.
Ben – It’s a siren, calling me. The flavor moves slowly across your tongue. It’s telling a story and makes sure you hear every word. There’s this alum-like dryness in there that calls for another sip. The Lot 40 11 Year is well-designed to keep you coming back for more.
Kate – Like pumpernickel rye bread in my mouth. Very sweet on the nose. Brown sugar and maple, with a hint of smokiness. Makes me think of a cabin on the bourbon trail, where they’re tapping maple trees for syrup, along with simple bread cereal foods. A decent finish, with some spice and warmth.
Henry – The Lot 40 11 Year is a powerhouse. Sweet, fruity, and spicy with a lovely note of wintergreen on the nose, with an intense but not unpleasant heat. Viscous and syrupy mouthfeel, the rye really comes through by midpalate. Oaky dryness enters on the palate and supports the spice and wintergreen flavors through to a long, lingering finish. Lovely. This is one of the finest, if not the best, Canadian whiskies that I’ve ever sampled. Delicious.
