Spice

Lot 40 11 Year Cask Strength

Lot 40 11 Year Cask Strength

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.

Berkshire Mountain New England Corn Whiskey

Berkshire Mountain New England Corn Whiskey

Berkshire Mountain Distillers was founded in 2007 and has been producing a large variety of gins, vodkas, rums and other spirits ever since. As many craft distilleries have done across the United States, BMD have looked to the markets and resources around them to help guide their creative process. The New England Corn Whiskey is made from area farms within miles of the distillery, aged using cherry wood and white oak. We note with interest the term “aged over” as opposed to “aged in” and wonder if barrels are used in the aging of this spirit.

Dalmore Port Wood Reserve

Dalmore Port Wood Reserve

Almost all distilleries trade on a sense of history and tradition – for good reason – in association with their craft and their whisky. A smaller selection of brands are lucky enough to have a towering figurehead behind their iconic malts. Dalmore has Master Distiller Richard Paterson, who is a leader in cask curation. Specifically, a long association with sherry bodega and wine industry giant González Byass has resulted in a collection of unique casks to age the distillery’s whisky. Sherry casks are not the only ones in use, however. The Dalmore Port Wood Reserve is one of the few non-age statement offerings in the brand’s principle collection. Dalmore owner Whyte & Mackay also owns the Jura and Fettercairn distilleries, along with other spirit brands.