J.P. Wiser's Deluxe

*Note: the 1.75l bottle I have is probably from the early 2000s. Visual: Honey-gold; thin, quick, erratic legs. Nosing: strong notes of fresh oak, powdered sugar, vanilla and toffee. Oak char hits the back of the nostrils. Floral and decently sweet apple candies. Tasting: sweet with hints of diacetyl (artificial butter). Strong oak and generally smooth. Vanilla, toffee, and a thin caramel come through. Thin-medium body and a quick finish. Reduced Nosing: with added water, artificial caramel comes through. However, stronger vanilla and oak is at the forefront. Nothing much new comes out. Reduced Tasting: sweet vanilla wafer and fresh oak shavings. Definitely better than Crown Royal, that's for sure. There's more complexity here and can be a decent slipper. It's nothing to write home about, but there's MUCH, MUCH, MUCH worse out there.

J.P. Wiser's Deluxe. Distilled, aged, and bottled under Canadian government supervision. ABV: 40%. No age statement, minimum age is 3 years. Bottle is about 8 to 9 years old, old stock. Aroma: a little alcoholic, grainy, not much there. taste: on the sweeter side, lightly astringent, definitely can tell it is sat a long time and not under the best conditions. Only minimal grain/oak notes. Sweet finish. It is semi-smooth. This one on the verge of being a poor offering but I'd say very low average considering it is old. Cost me 13 to 15 dollars plus tax for a 750ml bottle. In fairness a more recent bottle would probably get a better grade. Grade: C-

JP Wiser's Deluxe comes in a newly designed bottle that is visually impressive. However, the whiskey's taste could be improved. While it has a pleasant toffee aroma, the taste is one-dimensional, featuring toffee notes throughout. It is not a great mixer, but it is enjoyable when sipped neat. The whiskey leaves room for improvement, but it has potential. Overall, it is a decent choice for those who appreciate a simple, smooth whiskey.

Nose: Caramel, green apples, simple syrup, strawberry hard candy, dusty rye grain, corn husks, very rich but stale butter, wood sugars, a touch of maple, floral watermelon infused water Palate: Maple-caramel, red apple skins, sweet wood sap, wood spice, a touch of ripe Bartlett pear Finish: Red apples, barrel tannins, oaky caramel

Well, um, where to start. I would say straw is a very good description for this whiskey. Having been on a farm all my life I think I would rather distill an old straw bale in a rusty pressure cooker than to drink this again. It is sweet, but it is rough around all the edges. Not for me, but have at it to those who like cheap whiskey.

Simple, harsh, sweet caramel and straw. Dry at room temperature this is like plain-flavored cough syrup. But on ice this is tolerable. Don't ruin a good cocktail with this either, spend a few more bucks and dramatically improve your quality. I'd drink it again for free, but not likely under any other circumstances.