Collingwood Town Collection Double Barrel

How this got an “expert” score of 92 is interesting. This is a good whiskey but not over 89 in my books. I’ve tested this whiskey on three different occasions when starting my binge for the night. Night 1: Started drinking this neat and thought it had a odd nose to it due to the double oak. I drank it nonetheless. Night 2: Started drinking this after half in the bag. I couldn’t notice the nose issue from Night numero uno, yet i did find more appreciation for the other characteristics of the dram. Night 3: Did a repeat of Night 1 and appreciated it better but couldn’t say this would be a top shelf whiskey even though i found different aspects to this drink at the beginning or mid way through two evenings. To make a long story short - I wouldn’t purchase this one again. Worth trying as it is a good Canadian Rye but not something that tickles my fancy.

Serving: 1.5 fl. oz. shot, neat. Nose: Forward caramel and/or salted caramel notes. Some vanilla. Low cereal note. Floral. Wintergreen notes (means something if you’re an Ontarian). Low citrus. Palate: What you smell is what you taste, for the most part. Low oak/wood/maple notes develop as you continue sipping. Medium sweet. Finish: Low bitterness. Caramel and vanilla notes fleeting. Earthy, almost seaside/wharf-like notes developing later on (pleasant). Some maple, but low in intensity. Overall: Excellent value for money offering with medium taste and body, acceptable harshness and some interesting and surprising complexities.

I purchased this at the LCBO store while visiting Canada. I want to say after converting back to US dollars, it was like 30 dollars. The product delivered for 30 dollars exceeds expectations. Don't go in with unrealistic expectations but when I opened this bottle I didn't touch the rest of my collection till it was gone. I was craving canadian whiskey apparently... It's not a showpiece bottle, no one will recognize it but everyone who samples it will like it. The bottle is a good bang for the buck. When I go back to canada, I'll buy another bottle.

This whisky starts very sweet. In the nose and across the palate I'm certainly picking up lots of brown sugar, toasted caramel, and I guess Maple syrup. Thankfully there is at least a second or balancing note to this whisky. Rye. The spice is barely there in the nose but wakes up in the palate. A peppery, drying spice that helps cut the sweet or balance the sugar. The finish is a bit too wood, bitter, and dry for me, but it welcomes another sip!

Very light finish on the tongue, not strong at all, floral, tastes of cinnamon, brown sugar, banana bread. Highly recommended for anyone who is venturing out into whiskey/bourbon world.

Sweet fruit (pear, apple and plum) and smooth vanilla with a peppercorn spice finish. Bit of an alcohol heat. Paired nicely with butternut squash soup!