Gillman Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 In a sleepy industry, it is rare to see a new Canadian whisky (or new in Ontario): today I saw three. One is Danfield's Private Reserve Small Batch Whisky from Lethbridge, Alberta, one is Centennial 10 year old Rye Whisky, the other a new version of Wiser's: Special Reserve, at 43% abv (rare in Canada). The ad copy on each are the usual commercialisms (the word smooth omnipresent, the assurance of blending skill, etc.) but I am hopeful these or some of them will taste good, in due course I'll try them and report comments. I believe the Centennial has been available in the U.S. in some iteration anyway, but I think the others are not known there as yet. At Summerhill liquor store where I saw these today there is a whisky promotion going on and somehow they got a disused 5000 litre spirit still from Glenfiddich in the place, however due to space issues it is smack dab in front of the fine wine section!Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedmans Brorsa Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 Gary,Do you happen to know where that Centennial rye is produced?The one from Lethbridge, I take it, must be a premium version of Black Velvet, then? I´ve been looking for that 10 yo called Red Feather Saloon (also produced by Lethbridge) but, as always, Canadian deluxe offerings, at least here in Europe are almost as rare as teetotallers on a whiskey festival.By the way, was it ever settled where those Hirsch rye-bottlings originated from? I might have slept at some crucial stage but I got the impression that the issue remains unresolved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillman Posted October 29, 2005 Author Share Posted October 29, 2005 Hi Hedmans, the Centennial 10 year old is from High River, Alberta, about an hour south of Calgary. It is made by Highwood Disillers. I believe this company, which is privately owned, is controlled by European interests. A range of spirits is made, see www.highwood-distillers.com, which shows a picture of the Centennial 10 year old I saw this morning at the Summerhill branch of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. You must be right that Danfield's Private Reserve is a new label of Barton's distillery in Lethbridge, Alberta, and presumably is a version of Black Velvet. Maybe it is a small batch version of the 8 year old Black Velvet. I have been disappointed by new releases before. Clearly the Centennial is not new, but the Danfield's is and so is the 43% version of Wiser's I mentioned and maybe this time it will be different..Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffRenner Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 In a sleepy industry, it is rare to see a new Canadian whisky (or new in Ontario): today I saw three. ... At Summerhill liquor store where I saw these today there is a whisky promotion going onThis is a province wide, four week promotion called "Whisky Rocks."The campaign's web site is interesting, but they give short shrift to US whiskeys by featuring Jack as the only pictured representative. Oh well.The LCBO press release gives more details.Thanks for the alert and review of the Danfield.I have an order in for the Danfield with friends who go across the border regularly (< 50 miles from here), and may have to add the other two bottles, depending on your reviews.Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillman Posted November 2, 2005 Author Share Posted November 2, 2005 Thanks, you will enjoy the Danfield's, it is a winner!Tonight: Wiser's Special Reserve.Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghoste Posted November 19, 2005 Share Posted November 19, 2005 Jeff, if you think they give short shrift to American whiskey on their website, I can assure you that it is often much worse in the store. Too many LCBO outlets in Ontario (my section of it anyway) seem quite confused by anything that isn't JD. To really get a stare like you have two heads, just start explaining to them that Jack Daniels isn't bourbon.Luckily, I found a clerk in one store who is a bourbon fan herself and she has been great about trying to help me get things ordered in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillman Posted November 19, 2005 Author Share Posted November 19, 2005 In the end there is no substitute for self-education.When someone tells me in a Provincial liquor store, as happended recently, that there are only two working distilleries in Canada, I just shake my head - no use in arguing. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghoste Posted November 19, 2005 Share Posted November 19, 2005 I agree. I can understand them not knowing about it. If there was enough call for the product to require their knowledge, then there'd be more choice on the shelf to begin with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wku88 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Cheers to the Great White North!The Wiser's SR is intriguing, as I miss my regular deliveries of the standard Wiser's from Kitchener.IMO, Wiser's has Crown beat all to heck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frodo Posted December 4, 2005 Share Posted December 4, 2005 In the end there is no substitute for self-education.When someone tells me in a Provincial liquor store, as happended recently, that there are only two working distilleries in Canada, I just shake my head - no use in arguing. Gary If it was a product consultant, then I agree. If it was someone stocking the shelves, well they aren't hired with product knowledge as a prerequisit. Try asking for something with a Gailic name, and watch the fun responce... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frodo Posted December 11, 2005 Share Posted December 11, 2005 Jeff, if you think they give short shrift to American whiskey on their website, I can assure you that it is often much worse in the store. Too many LCBO outlets in Ontario (my section of it anyway) seem quite confused by anything that isn't JD.OK in the larger stores, there is some decent selection - mostly Bufallo Trace, Jack Daniels and Beam products. Other distilleries have bottlings present, but not a great selection. Nothing from from Heaven Hill or Barton. Bulleit, Rebell Yell, Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and red wax Makers Mark ends what you can expect.Vintages is a program that brings in limited shipments of fine spirits and wines, so sometimes we can get something like Corner Creek or Rare Breed. That's about it in the larger stores.In the smaller stores, the selection is much smaller. JD and perhaps Beam white label will be the extent of the selection. However, you can always get your smaller store to ship you something in from the bigger stores, and the inventory is accessable on-line (although not always up to date). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghoste Posted December 11, 2005 Share Posted December 11, 2005 Yeah, I've wised up to that. I have been checking inventory on their website and then trying to order products in. I've also been fortunate in finding a local LCBO employee who enjoys bourbon so she has been helpful as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frodo Posted December 13, 2005 Share Posted December 13, 2005 Ghoste:If you want a treat, and you have the $$, you might want to consider an <u>unfiltered</u> Blantons at Summerhill & Yonge. Considering it myself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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