Alberta Premium Dark Horse (45%) Alberta (Beam Suntory). A 92% rye-grain whisky and fine example of Canada’s recent super-premium output.
Canadian Club Chairman’s Select 100% Rye Whisky (40%) Alberta (Beam Suntory). Exactly what it says on the tin.
Caribou Crossing Single Barrel (40%) Sourced from any one of several distilleries (Sazarac). The first Canadian single barrel expression since much vaunted Bush Pilot’s.
Crown Royal XO (40%) Gimli (Diageo). Smoother than smooth can be. Proper example of Canadian single distillery blend.
Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel (51.5%) Gimli (Diageo). Another single barrel bottling, this time of Coffey rye, traditionally used for blends. Not easy to get, but included as a perfect sign of things to come.
Forty Creek John’s Private Cask No 1 (40%) Forty Creek Distillery (Campari). The power of spice – and low strength too. Should lead you onto the Double Barrel and just about anything else with John Hall’s name on it.
Gibson’s Finest Rare 18 (40%) Valleyfield / Hiram Walker Distillery (William Grant & Sons). One of the best Canadians money can buy. Now made at Walkers, though bottlings from stock matured at Valleyfield will be kicking around for years.
Highwood Ninety 20 (45%) Highwood Distillers (Highwood). Another fine example of a Canadian base whisky.
Lot 40 (43%) Hiram Walker Distillery (Pernod Ricard). Another all rye – old school in brand new clothes.
Mastersons 10 Year Old Straight Rye (45%) Sourced from Alberta distillers (35 Maple Street). Example of a Canadian bottled in America. Really great rye.
Wiser’s 18 (40%) Hiram Walker Distillery (Pernod Ricard). This is wood at its tobacco and Christmas pudding limits – and evidence that a 100% base whisky can pack a lot of power.