Wiser's 35 Years Old
Norther Border Collection Rare Releases IV of IV
4 894
Review by @talexander
- Nose23
- Taste24
- Finish23
- Balance24
- Overall94
Show rating data charts
Distribution of ratings for this:
Wiser's 35 Year Old is the oldest whisky they have ever bottled (and, I believe, at the highest proof at 50% ABV). It is 100% corn.
The colour is a medium caramel. Shy on the nose with soft vanilla, wood smoke, allspice and something akin to salted caramel (but much more subtle). Grassy. Not as oaky as you would expect, but the wood is definitely there. The fruity notes (dates, apples, papaya) are very gentle. Water brings out more wood smoke and a touch of honey. Quite lovely.
Warming on the palate with a perfect balance between oak, fruit and spice. Cayenne, cloves, mouth-pulling tannins and poached pears. Rich honey. Mildly citrusy. Caramel and vanilla stays in the background. A bit tight but beguiling in its softness; becomes rounder with a drop of water, which also brings out some orange pith.
The long finish features a lot of baking spices with that mouth-pulling oak and red apple skins. This is incredible stuff. The beauty of its softness and subtleties cannot be overstated. I'm going to do a side-by-side with the 18 Year Old (which is the closest in age to the 35 Year Old of any other Wiser's product) - it's also an extraordinary whisky, but with punchy rye spice and a bitterness that is not present in the elegant 35.
Both the Lot 40 12you CS and the Wiser's 35 are pretty much gone - thank goodness Corby's has a 2018 release of this collection coming out!
Find where to buy Wiser's whisky
Another great review @talexander! This is my favourite Canadian Blended Whisky. It could have easily been named Time is on My Side. After spending 35 years maturing in used cooperage along the shore of lake St. Clair, this double column distilled spirit has redefined Canadian Whisky. For those who ask the question, What is Canadian whisky?, this 35 YO masterpiece is the definitive answer. Don Livermore has left his mark on the whisky world with this iconic release.
...yes, I did listen to the Rolling Stones' 1964 version of Time is on My Side while sipping W35 from a Canadian Glencairn glass.
Thank you @Nozinan for rescuing one of these from the Big Smoke and allowing me to give it safe refuge up north.