Breaking News: The end or a New Beginning?

As I have yet to try the Forty Creek, which bottle should I go out and nab right now?

@MCM

I would go for one of the special releases if you can find them. Confederation Oak was originally released as a special one off, but is now part of the standard. I liked the original but have not tried the standard bottling. Currently out is Heart of Gold. The others, 2 Portwood reserve releases and John's Private Cask #1 are long sold out. But some of us have one or two bottles in reserve ( in my case, one).

The standard bottlings are well-regarded but I haven't tried them.

I don't know what to make of this, I haven't tried Forty Creek yet, but by the track record of Campari, the signs may bode bad news. Campari is a fairly new player in the whisky industry, their acquisitions have all taken place in the last 10 years: Glen Grant in 2005, Wild Turkey in 2009 and Irish Mist in 2010. When they took over Glen Grant they restyled their bottle's design, added more caramel colouring and released younger NAS (but name one mayor company that hasn't done that). Production capacity at their distilleries was not increased as far as I know, but more larger percentage of their output was designated to the Mediterranean market

@Nozinan Interesting discussion point I have had several bottles of Forty Creek Barrel Select and really found them to be great. The questions raised are valid and my hope is that there will be little change in new releases and I look forward to trying other expressions. Thanks again for your topic. :)

Here's a link to a Whisky Advocate article byDavin De Kergommaux: whiskyadvocate.com/whisky/2014/…

From my read, it appears that Forty Creek whisky will get access to Campari's distribution network and sales force, so it likely means more exports to the US and other foreign markets. With John K. Hall staying on as whisky maker and CEO of the company. The official press release on the Forty Creek website notes in bold print that "all the business structures and processes in place will remain unchanged in Canada. The acquired business will maintain its successful business model in Canada, while also benefiting from the additional support of the Campari organization both in Canada and in other markets."

Hopefully, this will allow Mr. Hall to focus on what he does best - make great Canadian whisky!

I know I am looking forward to the 2014 Limited Release to add to my Forty Creek collection.

(I was an early convert to Forty Creek Barrel Select back in 2005. When the Limited Releases started in 2007 with the Small Batch Reserve, I signed up for the distillery tour and tasting. Each year since, I have picked up two or three bottles of each release; one to keep, the other to drink with good friends. Still have one unopened bottle of the entire range of Limited Releases 2007 to 2013. I count myself lucky!)

@tfahey1298 - John Hall is staying on as Chairman; CEO is a job for a suit. Hall will be the Whisky Maker; most other places call that position Master Distiller or Manager. Without JH, Campari has a very expensive little distillery and inventory...the goodwill on this one was probably HUGE. Production and trading will increase which in turn means more honey barrels. The next few years will be Mr. Hall's best yet. Buckle-up for a an exciting ride.

Campari America distributes its own Wild Turkey and Glen Grant, along with whisky brands such as Bowmore, Auchentoshan, Glen Garioch and The Glenrothes single malts from Scotland, Nikka from Japan, and Taiwan’s Kavalan single malt whisky.

Add Forty Creek to this portfolio and one-stop shopping will become a labour of love. This may give a whole new meaning to Whisky Weekend in Grimsby....Kavalan, Nika, Wild Turkey; things are looking up.

@paddockjudge

I hope you're right. Any word as to what the special release will be this year?

I believe it is all extremely positive. The only bad news might be whatever agency Forty Creek had hired in the past now no longer has a client; otherwise, it's all good.