Gooderham & Worts Four Grain
3 Canuks - Part I
0 1174
Review by @talexander
- Nose18
- Taste19
- Finish19
- Balance18
- Overall74
Show rating data charts
Distribution of ratings for this:
- Brand: Gooderham & Worts
- ABV: 44.4%
I have a few new Canadian whiskies lying around, so let's go through them. Our first one is an odd duck. Gooderham & Worts is an old Canadian distillery, established in Toronto in 1832, that closed down in the 1980s. In its day it was the largest distillery in the world! Now it is a retail commercial area, noted for its cobblestone pedestrian walkways, with restaurants, a brewery, coffee shops and condos. Note: no distillery at present.
And yet, all this bottle tells me is that it is from Gooderham & Worts (est. 1832), is Blend No. A.A1129 (whatever that means) and is blended from whiskies distilled from corn, wheat, rye and barley (hence, "Four Grain"). No website mentioned either. Those not in the know may think that the historic distillery has somehow re-opened and that this came from there, but it did not. (It actually comes from Corby, makers of Wiser's, Lot 40 and Pike Creek). Seems rather misleading. Customer confusion for the sake of branding?
The colour is a medium-to-dark amber. On the nose there is thin honey, savoury herbs, a bit of spice and a vague sourdough note. Some rye with a little vanilla and Mackintosh toffee. Water adds more herbs and a slight umami note. Some interesting elements but overall a rather bland if traditional Canadian whisky.
A little syrupy on the palate, and very smooth - lots of buttery corn but otherwise we just have a touch of rye spice and more packaged toffee. Water adds a little welcome viscosity. Not bad at all, but not distinctive.
The finish is medium length, a little chalky with some wet slate and a hint of grapefruit pith. This is one of those whiskies that has nothing really wrong with it - it tastes nice, is easy to drink and works just fine as a mixer. But there's nothing to really recommend it, other than to say it is a standard whisky at a decent price. 'Nuff said.
Given that I'm reading this as part of your 2 part series "three Canuks " (I am assuming you are the third Canuk):
I have to say I have preferred this to the 3 grain Harmony also reviewed.
I've been struck with a cold each time I've tried either of them, so I'm not ready to throw the towel in (especially since I have a few numbered bottles of the Harmony, but I find this one sippable and much brighter on the nose and palate, whereas the other one has a mushroom flavour and otherwise mostly muted baritone notes.