Joining the Club

Davin de Kergommeaux visits a Canadian giant.

There are three great mysteries in life: Where did I come from? Why am I here? and Why does the whisky from each distillery taste a little different from all the others?

Every distillery has its house style, that certain something that distinguishes its whisky from all others. It's a combination of grains, equipment, processes, barrels and skill. To taste the whiskies from Hiram Walker & Sons distillery in Walkerville, Ontario, is to learn about house style in general.

Why? Because Walker's has not one but three styles, each clearly distinguishable.

THE HOUSE OF WISER

Wiser's Legacy
Rich and very complex with cloves, cinnamon and piquant pepper. Butterscotch sweet with zesty rye and hot peppermint. Spicy, fragrant, and crisply oaky. $50.00.

Wiser's 18 Years Old
Crispy oak with cedar cigar box and ever so complex hot pepper, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Butterscotch, vanilla, then dusty rye grain, tobacco, and sour-dough, ending in a citric zestiness. $65.00

THE HOUSE OF GIBSON

Gibson's Finest 12 Years Old
The richest, creamiest crème brûlée sprinkled with oak, spicy pepper, cloves and citric notes. Strawberries and cream. $28.00

Gibson's Finest Rare 18 Years Old
Spicy oak and dusty rye with rich creamy toffee, vanilla, and hot pepper. Hot buttered breakfast biscuits and creamy rice pudding. $65.00

THE HOUSE OF CANADIAN CLUB

Canadian Club Sherry Cask
Rich and very fruity – over-ripe dark fruits, luscious peaches and sweet/tart berries. Sweet hot tobac...

• By : Davin de Kergommeaux
• In : Distillery Focus
• Issue : 98
• Page : 40
• Words : 1,442