North of 7 Single Barrel Canadian Whisky

This is my first review since getting shut down by COVID-19 in May. It’s only the second whisky I have tasted (I sipped 5 cc of a CS Wiser’s a couple last week to celebrate the return of my ability to smell and taste - while it wasn’t 100% then, it was close).

A couple of years ago I participated in the selection tasting of a private barrel from North of 7. It was a fantastic purchase I posted a review of it on Canada Day 2021:

connosr.com/north-of-7-4-grain-single-barr…

I had meant to review a single cask CS offering from N7 for my Canada Day review this year as well, but COVID got in my way.. So I decided I would try to to do a H2H with this one. This was part of a cocktail kit that a friend brought over on May 1. There were two bottles of this one and for the “Smoked Old Fashioned” we decided to go with a higher proof bourbon that I had, so this mini bottle was unopened.

There is no age statement. The label states that it is from a single barrel, and the mashbill contained corn, wheat, rye and barley. It does not discuss colouring or chill filtration, but I suspect there was not much filtration done because it is actually quite hazy. A good sign?

This expression is reviewed in a Highland Whisky Glass in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of just a drop or 2 of water (it’s already 40%), waiting, then nosing and tasting.

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Nose: 21/25

Sweet. Slightly bourbony, with some baking spices. Some vanilla. Interestingly, for a 40% whisky, the alcohol is a little strong. With time the nose becomes more fruity, apples and maybe a hint of sour cherries. If I smelled this blind I could mistake it for a bottom shelf bourbon. As I let it sit, it’s a slightly weak but pleasant nose. No change with water.

Taste: 20/25

Thin, sweet, spicy arrival on the first sip. Almost as if I had added a little too much water. Some vanillins and wood spices, and some pepper in the development. Water washes out the flavours and makes it more peppery in the development. (18/25)

Finish: 20/25

Peppery, fairly long, slightly sour. Shorter finish with water.

Balance: 20/25

The nose and the palate seem to be congruent. The flavours are nice but a little weak. Water washes out the flavours and makes it more peppery and out of balance. (18/25)

Score: Neat - 81/100 With Water: 77/100

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The underlying spirit here is quite good. I think that at a higher ABV the flavours might shine a bit more and could be an excellent sipper.

Unfortunately, at 40%, after tasting the CS 3-grain, this one doesn’t stand a chance.

Perspective is everything…