Forty Creek Art Of The Blend

I had a last minute weekend trip to Toronto, for a family visit. On the way to Niagara, we stopped over the Forty Creek distillery. Personally, I love distillery visits. You get to sample a wide variety of items, and buy something that’s made just for the distillery visitors center. I had a few pours of various whiskeys, but this one stood out the most. It’s a 2022 limited one time winter limited release. Canadian whiskey, infused with ice wine from the local Niagara wineries. So, technically, not really a whiskey I guess, but not a liquor as well. But this was made to celebrate Bill Ashburn’s 35 years as master blender at Forty Creek. It’s copper pot distilled, winter rye with barley. And ice wine of course. Aroma is jammy, preserves. Sweet, like peaches. Taste is not what I expected….haven’t had Forty Creek before, but was very favorably impressed. Maple syrup, strawberry, shortbread, and some oak. Really well made. Well made enough for me to buy a $85 bottle , and have it signed by the master blender himself.

Not a good whisky in my opinion. I get an industrial coolant smell on top of a sulpher or burning metal taste. Very disappointed as I am generally a Forty Creek fan.