Whisky Connosr
Menu
Buy Whisky Online

Wiser's Red Letter 15 YO 2020 Distillery Exclusive

Happy New Year!

5 087

@NozinanReview by @Nozinan

1st Jan 2024

1

Wiser's Red Letter 15 YO 2020 Distillery Exclusive
  • Nose
    ~
  • Taste
    ~
  • Finish
    ~
  • Balance
    ~
  • Overall
    87

Show rating data charts

Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

This rating

<65707580859095100
ScoreTotal
651
660
672
681
692
700
710
720
730
740
752
762
771
781
792
801
812
821
833
842
853
864
878
8816
894
906
915
924
933
942
951
963
971
981
990
1001

Wiser’s Red Letter is a favourite of one of my whisky buddies. I and @Nosebleed hunted several bottles of this for him over the years (and my brother in law even surprised me with a bottle of the 2015 release). In 2020 Wiser’s released a distillery exclusive of the Red Letter, a 15 year old expression bottled at 45%. It is this one I am reviewing to honour my tradition of posting a review of a Canadian whisky on January 1.

I have reviewed a sample (thanks @paddockjudge) of the 2013 release in the past. From what I understand the 2013-15 releases were all from the same bond. This would likely be from a different batch of distillate. The bottle is 80% full, gassed after each use. Opened initially Dec. 10, 2020, and last poured on Oct. 13, 2021.

This expression is reviewed in a standard Glencairn glass, in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water (for research purposes only), waiting, then nosing and tasting.


Nose: 22/25

Very “Canadian Whisky”. A slightly sweet, sour, spicy, grainy nose. Caramel, some cinnamon. High pitched fruity notes. Something in between an unripe green apple and a sour cherry. Flawless, pleasant nose. No appreciable change with water.

Taste: 21/25

Sweet and spicy arrival on the first sip. A little thin in the mouthfeel. Some fruits too. Vanilla and caramel in the development. Not as complex as I would like. Thinner with water, but brighter. The fruits come out a bit more, as does the pepper. (21.5/25)

Finish: 22/25

Warmth down the throat. What does Dr. Don call it? a Canadian Hug? Vanilla and pepper on medium length finish. Definitely more pepper with water.

Balance: 22/25

The nose promises a little more than the palate receives. A little sweet but overall quite pleasant.

Score: Neat - 87/100 With Water: 87.5/100


In contrast the sample of the 2013 release (which I dug out and still had a little left) is a little dustier and does not have the same spicy cinnamon notes on the nose. The same thinness on the palate. A fairly similar whisky. For some reason mixing them together makes it a little off-balanced, though with time it seems to settle, with caramel becoming more prominent.


This is a solid whisky. It’s a shame that this was a distillery-only release, as I am sure there are people outside of Ontario would love to have some in their cabinets. I’m happy to share with any visitors.

To all of you I wish a HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2024 bring great drams and great happiness!

Related Wiser's reviews

0 comments