Lot 40 2012 Edition

[Gillman]

Well, it's back. Every few years Lot 40 reappears, like a fondly-recalled pop group that refuses to call it a day. And like some of those recurring rock outfits, this whiskey shows its chops can get better.

The current release is cotton-soft in texture and quite bourbon-like in taste. The old pot still rye, varsol-like notes are present, but the result is more nuanced than of yore, it's more approachable and much better than all prior iterations IMO.

Not to be missed and a bargain at about $40.00.

Gary

[portwood]

I've been enjoying this for a few days. It may be the most flavourful Canadian whisky on the market today.
It has taken top spot on my Canadian shelf - ahead of Wiser's Legacy and Alberta Premium 30yo.

Since the LCBO has it listed as "limited supply" I'm going to stock up. A full case (12?) may be too much but 6 for sure!

[ThomasH]

Hopefully this will still be available when I go to Windsor next month. I recently scored a bottle of Wisers Legacy in a local store here!

Thomas

[redbear]

Is this available in the states? I have an old bottle in the bunker.....

[Gillman]

I'd think the new one will be available soon, since the older releases were.

It would be interesting to compare the two. They are similar but the new one is more refined IMO, more like a cross between an aged bourbon and a vigorous, younger straight rye.

Now that this is back, I definitely rate it in the top group of the Canadians. Wiser's Legacy is good too although I preferred the initial bottling back in 2010 to the current one.

One thing that has emerged for the high-end Canadians is how different they are. Bourbon and straight rye in the U.S. present more similarities, whereas products like CC 20 and 30 or Alberta Premium 30, Dark Horse, Lot 40, John Hall's range from Kittling Ridge (Barrel Select etc.), and the U.S. bottlings like WhistlePig and Masterson's are all quite different. This reflects the greater stylistic variety at work today or at least now being made public (as it seems the more assertive whiskeys were always made in-house and used for blending).

Gary

[WhiskyToWhiskey]

I picked this one up too, really like it. I'm not sure if I would rate it higher than the Legacy (only had it open a day, my opinion as it stays open could change), but the two are very close. Forty Creek I really like the Copper Pot, but am not as big a fan of the Port Wood or Barrel Select finding too much influence the port and sherry casks have on the whisky. Legacy, Lot 40 and Wisers Small Batch are my 3 favorites right now, all Corby's products I believe, and I'm looking forward to trying the Pike Creek.

[Smithford]

Hopefully this will still be available when I go to Windsor next month.

Thomas, just before you go to Windsor, do a search at the LCBO. Search the store inventory in Windsor to see which ones have it in stock. The numbers are updated overnight and are usually pretty accurate (unless you see only one bottle - sometimes those are phantoms). Currently, two outlets in Windsor have stock of Lot No. 40. (further searching reveals that both of those stores also have Wiser's Legacy, and Forty Creek Confederation Oak). You could walk away with the Canadian Whiskey Triple Crown.

[jtgraves]

Now this is some great news! I'll certainly be on the lookout for this one. Lot 40 was the whiskey that made me rethink my views on Canadian ryes. Hopefully it won't take too long for it to trickle down to texas. I'll enjoy trying it next to old bottle I'm currently drinking.

[ThomasH]

I already have the Wisers legacy and Confederation Oak. I always search the LCBO befre going to Windsor. The Store at howard and E C Rowe expressway is like a super store. Another store around the corner and up the Road from The Canadian Club distillery is also good. We usually buy Crown Royal at duty free but otherwise I only buy stuff I can't get in the US, and many time it ends up being Canadian. While my wife and Sister in law and brother in law go to the casino, I go bottle hunting!

Thomas

Thomas, just before you go to Windsor, do a search at the LCBO. Search the store inventory in Windsor to see which ones have it in stock. The numbers are updated overnight and are usually pretty accurate (unless you see only one bottle - sometimes those are phantoms). Currently, two outlets in Windsor have stock of Lot No. 40. (further searching reveals that both of those stores also have Wiser's Legacy, and Forty Creek Confederation Oak). You could walk away with the Canadian Whiskey Triple Crown.

[Megawatt]

Having a glass now, and I absolutely love it. I also like your comment, Gary, about the increasing variety of Canadian whiskies. I too have a harder time differentiating between bourbons, possibly because they tend to have that overwhelming bourbon taste whereas Canadian whisky is more subtle.