Corby's Lot Forty Cask Strength First Edition
Happy New Year!
5 493
Review by @Nozinan
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall93
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Distribution of ratings for this:
- Brand: Corby's
- ABV: 55%
- Batch: First Edition 2017
Given that my appreciation for Canadian whisky really took off in 2017, I wanted my last review to be a Canadian Whisky. I initially poured a dram of Legacy, but then I saw that I had actually already reviewed it. Oops. That one was put in a sample bottle for another time.
I tasted this one at Spirit of Toronto (out of an unmarked bottle in the possession of Dr. Don Livermore) in 2016. In 2017 I enjoyed it (and reviewed it) during a tasting at the same festival. However, the conditions under which I tasted it were not ideal (food smells through the ventilation). This bottle was opened not long after I came to possess it, on Nov. 12. It is over 80% full and has been gassed with each use. I have also tasted from a bottle that my brother in law purchased in Calgary and opened over the holidays.
This expression is reviewed in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting.
Nose: 23/25
Right on the pour I get something perfumy, floral (in a good way, not FWP). Once settled, I get very juicy green apple, a touch of dill pickle brine, some baking spices. Syrup. Very rich nose, but not at all spirity. A few drops of water bring out a lot of butterscotch. I also get on the nose the “rum and butter” flavour of lifesavers I hated in the 70s (but I like it here). Fantastic nose. (24/25)
Taste: 22.5/25
Rich flavour. I get a slight alcohol nip. Some apple, stewed peaches, or peaches in syrup. Pickle juice. With water, I get butterscotch and a hint of coffee (I got a bigger hint in Calgary with my BIL’s bottle). More pickle juice. Delicious. (23/25)
Finish: 22/25
When I breathe out I get pickle juice. The finish is long, astringent. With water the butterscotch lasts until the end.
Balance: 24/25
This expression has a rich nose, a rich palate, great finish. The flavours are complex and complement each other. Almost perfect balance.
Score: 91.5 /100 Neat (with water: 93/ 100)
This is a fantastic whisky. There are rumours that this is the first release of what will become an annual thing. I certainly hope so, because I would like one of these in my cabinet for years to come.
To all, I wish you a happy, healthy 2018!
I opened a bottle of this at my in-laws on Christmas Eve. It was a house warming present. Everyone was talking about it when I stopped by a few days later on Boxing Day. Definitely, more favourful and more refined than the standard Lot 40. Very floral and elegant, and excellent Canadian Rye. It was worth the hassle of obtaining a bottle. @Nozinan great review.