Highwood Century Reserve 15/25

The story of this whisky is similar to the story told in my review "Happy Canada Day Part I", discussing Potter 1985 14 Year Old Single Bourbon Cask, Cask Strength 100% Indian Corn, bottled by Cadenhead's. While that whisky is labelled as from Potter in Kelowna BC, it was likely distilled at Weyburn SK. And so too is the story behind Century Reserve 15/25, brought to you by Highwood Distillers. If this whisky was originally distilled at now-defunct Weyburn, as is rumoured, it would then have travelled to Kelowna to mature in Potter's warehouse (where Cadenhead's likely found the cask mentioned above, in 1999). Some years later, in 2005, Highwood purchased Potter's inventory, and so the casks then travelled to High River AB - and now Highwood brings it to you. So I'm thinking this is a relatively old Canadian whisky, though it carries no age statement (regardless, I can't help but feel like the "Lot 1525", illustrated on the label as "15/25", hints that the whisky is between 15 and 25 years old. But that's my own personal conspiracy theory).

The colour is a deep gold with brighter golden highlights. The nose bursts with lots of vanilla, caramel (creme brulee, actually), freshly sawed timber and honey, with overripe bananas, buttered popcorn, grapefruit and mint. Almost too sugary on the nose, but quite lovely. A drop of water brings out dry grass and sage.

The palate is smooth and buttery with wet slate, pencil shavings and some spices. The vanilla and caramel continues to serve as the backbone. Very enjoyable but again, just a little too sweet. Further evidence that this is mainly a corn whisky, if not entirely so. Water brings out some rye notes, regardless of whether or not there is actually any rye here whatsoever.

The finish is surprisingly long, with the caramel and vanilla coming back, and that tart grapefruit note. This is not a complex whisky, but a delicious one, especially if you have a sweet tooth. While I am sometimes averse to overly sweet whiskies, this is balanced out enough by the citrus and herbal notes. Very enjoyable and approachable, and is another 40% ABV Canadian whisky that is improved by one or two drops of water. Not outstanding but well worth the reasonable price for an everyday whisky whose stocks will one day run out, I am sure.