Brown-Forman Launches Collingwood Canadian Whisky

[dbk]

Brown-Forman is poised to launch a new Canadian whisky: Collingwood.

Collingwood is undoubtedly produced by Brown-Forman's Canadian Mist distillery, and seems to be making use of the maple barrels from Woodford Reserve's most recent Masters Collection release.

I checked the COLA registry, and there's no age statement. They're really pushing the maple wood finish—maple being prototypically "Canadian" to an outsider, I suppose—and the "smoothness" of the whisky, though they don't suggest you drink it neat ("can be enjoyed on the rocks or mixed in a whisky cocktail").

I'd be interested to hear any reviews, especially from the Canadian Mist drinkers out there, who might be uniquely positioned to compare it to the "house" product.

[BigRich]

I'm supposed to be getting a review sample this week. I'll let you know.

[dbk]

Great! Looking forward to it.

[StraightNoChaser]

My agency promotes this brand. While it's not my personal favorite, it sells rather well.

As far as I can tell from our materials (which are admittedly vague) it appears that the maple is coming from the JD Distillery, i.e. they are using sugar maple charcoal. My coworker and I had a pretty long discussion about this last night actually. The original product description we received said charcoal, not "toasted" sugar maple, and was changed in the next iteration of descriptions. Guess they didn't want to step on their own toes? We're not sure. Regardless I wish I knew more because it feels odd selling a whisky you don't know in and out (like I do, for instance, WR or GJ/JDSB)

[StraightNoChaser]

Granted, I could be wrong. Using the maple barrels from the WRMCMF would be a lot cooler than charcoal. Just doesn't make a whole lot of sense since the MF is a very limited release and Collingwood is a mass release. That's a lot of maple barrels.

[silverfish]

When I first saw the image, I thought it was a bottle of cologne.

[StraightNoChaser]

When I first saw the image, I thought it was a bottle of cologne.

That's basically what everyone says during my promos

[dbk]

it appears that the maple is coming from the JD Distillery, i.e. they are using sugar maple charcoal... The original product description we received said charcoal, not "toasted" sugar maple, and was changed in the next iteration of descriptions.

Interesting. It could be marketing—pretending the maple charcoal is actually "toasted" maple—or it could have been an error in the original materials.

Granted, I could be wrong. Using the maple barrels from the WRMCMF would be a lot cooler than charcoal. Just doesn't make a whole lot of sense since the MF is a very limited release and Collingwood is a mass release. That's a lot of maple barrels.

True enough, but since the maple's just for finishing, there may be enough to go around. The WRMC barrels were toasted, so it fits the description. Moreover, Brown-Forman has its own cooperage, and could be making more barrels. But honestly, I don't know. It is intriguing that the story changed from charcoal to toasted sugar maple, but again it could just be due to an error in the initial materials.

[silverfish]

That's basically what everyone says during my promos

My comment wasn't intended as a dig, just a first impression
(tho' it's nice to hear it wasn't only me!)
I'll be glad to try some if/when it becomes available in my area.

[ggilbertva]

I'll be glad to try some if/when it becomes available in my area.

Me too. It will be available in KY so I'll probably pick one up during the Sampler.