Norther Border Collection / CC 40yo

@Nozinan , is that just out of self-interest because you live there, or because you think exceptional Canadian whisky belongs in Canada, or _________?

Pop up store was dead when I went today, and they had a handful of Wiser's 35, and a couple dozen each of Pike's Creek 21 and Little Trinity. I was the only one in the store.

I was told under no uncertain terms that Lot 40 CS will not be there, at all, going forward.

@MadSingleMalt There's a benefit to having some locally produced product available only locally. First, it rewards those who provide the most support for the industry. Second, people who really want it have to come here to get it. SO it is good for tourism.

NBC now available in a couple London stores and cities West of TO (Waterloo, Windsor, Kitchener)

@Mancub Don't forget Cambridge...

@Nozinan, but nobody wants to go to Toronto for it, despite the tourism boost?

And that distillery is in Windsor, right? So would it be a positive for you if it's for sale "locally" in, say, Detroit?

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I'm not trying to be a jerk here—just trying to understand the opinion. Usually, I think it sucks when something is "exclusive" because that means, by definition, that people are excluded from it. But I understand that "exclusivity" often holds some appeal.

@Nozinan This is a very new issue. Up until very recently Canadian whisky has been looked upon with considerable scorn, including by many discriminating Canadians. All of a sudden it seems to be a big deal. I'll grant you, Wiser's Legacy is pretty good, and I gather there are some other pretty good Canadian whiskies available these days, but I would still rather be drinking good Scotch single malt whisky. I can't see myself getting overwrought about whether or not I can get hold of a Canadian whisky that is being sold to consumers who are being manipulated into believing that there will never be anything like it ever again. Between the distillers and the LCBO they've got you guys right where they want you; running around in circles trying to unload your money on them.

@BlueNote There is a lot of wisdom in what you write.

The actual culprit is Connosr.

I would have a dozen bottles all unopened, if not for this site. I would know nothing of Lot 40, CS or regular.

But what would I do with my time? And cash?

@Nozinan, I am sure that your wife has some ideas as to what to do with your cash.

@Nozinan Good point. Connosr is our main addiction. As to the time and money question: what @Victor said.

A quick update: there is still nothing available in Barrie, but the Corby rep understands my frustration too. He suggested I check the LCBO website and/or mobile app for store availability. Shit !!! Why didn’t I think of that? What an absolute joke. Maybe I’ll skip these altogether and get a nice bottle of Aberlour A’Bunadh.

@Nozinan, uncle paddockjudge probably won't be around for your last move as you describe it.

@65glenfarclas, thanks for the link. Those are well written reviews.

@OdysseusUnbound ... or a really well priced ( by LCBO and HP "standards") bottle of Highland Park Full Volume (17yo age stated, ex-Bourbon cask) $129.95 available for online ordering...

@65glenfarclas Have you tried the Full Volume? Not that I’m complaining, but it’s odd that the 17 Year Old is $130 while the 18 Year Old is $200. Do Sherry casks affect cost that much?

@65glenfarclas @OdysseusUnbound Full Volume is actually an 18yo, distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2017. Whisky in the 6 did an interview with an HP brand ambassador and in it he said the price would be close in-line with the standard 18. It was said that couldn't give an exact price though because the LCBO dictates the price. It's definitely not a typical HP, but priced reasonably for what it is, I think.

You are wondering, "Does HP know that there is something Wrong with Full Volume, and that is why it is costing less???!? A special release, costing a third less than the standard release product? Makes one wonder...

@Victor That’s exactly what I’m wondering. I’ve often said HP 18 is overpriced (in Ontario) for what you’re getting, but I worry about dropping over $100 (normally my upper limit) and getting a dud. A part of me thinks I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth as $130 is reasonable by Ontario standards for a 17-18 Year Old scotch, but I’m hesitant.

@Mancub no specific dates are mentioned other than year (could be Dec 30/99 distillation, bottled Jan 2/17 making it 17 years + 2 days). Therefore, it is 17 years old - NOT 18

@OdysseusUnbound Bayfield will get some, plus it will go online shortly.

@65glenfarclas I understand your logic, and maybe you're right, but the HP brand ambassador said that it was an 18yo. Maybe he misspoke, but he's an actual representative from the company not just someone throwing out random dates. I'd suggest contacting HP themselves if you want clarification, but just because you can make a case that it's a 17 year old whisky does not make it so.

@Victor I thought the same. However, I think this one is a case of mysterious/haphazard LCBO pricing since I believe the price in Europe is actually higher (when typically lcbo is >50% higher on youngish HP, more on everything older than 18). Another example is the HP Dark Origins which is also ~same price here as UK

@OdysseusUnbound Highland Park is over priced everywhere when you get to the 18 year and up. I did buy a bottle of Full Volume but am not sure when I am going to open it.

@Mancub I won't argue further. You go on accepting what the Brand Ambassador told you, I'll stick with the rules on age statements. Listen closely to what brand ambassadors say, and do a bit of research on same and you'll find they don't always know what they're talking about. 99% of them are SALES people, not whisky makers...

So after all that bluster, I'm happy (a little embarrassed) to say I got what I wanted. My conference was near the pop-up store and didn't start till 1 pm today so I went a little early. They opened at 12 and I was first in line.

And last, so it seems. No one else came in the whole time I was there. They let me look around after I completed my purchase and no one rushed in. There were (listed) 5 Wiser's 35 and dozens of Pike Creek 21 and G&W Little Trinity.

No Lot 40 CS.

I picked up the Little Trinity for me and one of each for a friend. It made for some heavy lugging around. Luckily the three talks I went to (I admit I posted on Connosr during one) were all in the same hall.

Afterwards, if I didn't have to go up north for a meeting I could have joined a fellow Connosr back at the pop-up store for a free taste of the CC40. Apparently they weren't sold out... and some were available for sale.

Why this extra NBC stock can't be made available online....

Ahhh, the KGBO...

@65glenfarclas I've been a part of this community for a while, can't say that I've ever argued with anyone. You can make all the claims you want, I was just sharing information that I heard from an HP representative. I hear "99% of them are SALES people though, not whisky makers..." so the chances are they know nothing about...whisky making? I personally don't care if it's a 17 or 18yo whisky because I don't intend on buying it. If you want to enlighten us with your facts, do us all a favor and get the real information from the source and share it. Not sure what "rules" you're talking about either? Distilleries release vintage bottles all the time with a "distilled on" and "bottled on" date that don't state an age but still have a designated age (Glenrothes does this). As I said, I was just passing on the info, I don't claim to know personally, I don't work for HP.

Let's all calm down. I think you both have good points but you're talking past, not to each other.

Technically, if there is no exact bottling date, a whisky is assumed to be, for marketing purposes, 1 year younger than the years on the bottle. Distilled 2000 and bottled 2011 without any other information can not be called anything older than 10 YO.

But it is true that there are bottlings with exact dates. Then you can tell the exact age. Distilled in Jan 2010 and bottled in April 2011 would be 11 YO.

In other news, I got me a CC40! Finally!

@talexander and you got a free sample of it too.

@talexander From the pop-up? I see they are stocked right up. How was the sample? A good dose of NBC out there now, I could have walked away with an armload of Lot 40cs, still can too! So much for whipping us into a frenzy.