Canadian Club whisky, a renowned Canadian spirit, offers a diverse range of expressions, each boasting unique characteristics influenced by its aging process. Understanding how aging affects Canadian Club whisky empowers enthusiasts to make informed choices and appreciate the nuances of each expression.
The Impact of Aging on Canadian Club Whisky
Aging plays a pivotal role in shaping the flavor profile, aroma, and overall character of Canadian Club whisky. As whisky matures in its oak barrels, it undergoes a complex series of chemical reactions that contribute to its distinctive qualities:
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Color: The longer a whisky ages, the more color it extracts from the oak barrels. This results in a gradual progression from pale gold to deep amber hues.
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Flavor: Aging mellows the harshness of young whisky, allowing subtle flavors to emerge and harmonize. Extended aging contributes richer, more complex flavors, such as caramel, vanilla, oak, and spice.
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Aroma: The aging process also influences the whisky’s aroma. Younger whiskies tend to have a more pronounced alcohol scent, while aged whiskies develop a more complex and nuanced bouquet.
Canadian Club 40 Year Old: A Masterpiece of Aging
Canadian Club 40 Year Old stands as a testament to the transformative power of aging. This exceptional whisky showcases the pinnacle of Canadian Club’s aging prowess, offering a symphony of flavors and aromas that delight the senses.
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Nose: Upon nosing, Canadian Club 40 Year Old reveals an enticing blend of fresh lemon citrus, vanilla, oak, and hints of dark leather.
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Palate: The palate is greeted with a warm embrace of caramel, melting over the tongue with buttery goodness. This is swiftly followed by a crescendo of oak spice, building rapidly to a crescendo.
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Finish: The finish is an enduring and exquisite affair, showcasing the whisky’s remarkable depth and complexity. Gorgeous caramel touches intertwine with peppery spice, leaving a lasting impression.
Does Canadian Club Whisky Get Better with Age?
The question of whether Canadian Club whisky improves with age is a matter of personal preference. However, it is generally accepted that aging enhances the whisky’s flavor, aroma, and overall character. As a whisky ages, it develops a smoother, more refined taste, with increased complexity and depth.
Canadian Club whisky’s aging process is a journey of transformation, bestowing upon each expression a unique and captivating character. From the youthful exuberance of younger whiskies to the profound elegance of aged expressions like Canadian Club 40 Year Old, the influence of aging is undeniable. Whether you prefer the vibrancy of a younger whisky or the refined sophistication of an aged masterpiece, Canadian Club offers an expression to suit every palate and occasion.
Canadian Club 40-Year-Old Review
Two contradicting pieces of information regarding the composition of this whisky have come to my attention. Hence, I’ll share both versions with you.
According to the first source, this Canadian Club is made with a special combination of three distinct mash bills. The first one is made totally of 20100% corn, and the second is made entirely of 20100% rye. Both of these blends undergo distillation in a continuous still. Mash bill for the third one is made up of malted barley, rye, and malted rye. Traditional pot stills are used to distill part of this blend, and a continuous still is used to process the remaining portion.
A blend of American, Canadian, and ex-bourbon oak barrels are used to age each spirit. The ex-bourbon barrels typically feature a #3 char, whilst the American oak and Canadian oak casks undergo various levels of toasting, ranging from a deep #4 char to a lighter toast.
Because they are made from locally sourced white oak trees that grow slowly in Canada, Canadian oak casks are especially notable because their grain is denser. Additionally, the whisky has a strong vanilla flavor and aroma thanks to the higher vanillin content in these casks.
But according to the second source, this is just pure corn whisky that was barrelled in 1977.
Which one is the correct one? No idea.
This twenty-four-year-old Canadian Club Chronicles is bottled at a stronger strength than usual, with an ABV of 45%. Details about the presence or lack of chill filtering or color additive are not disclosed.
Following its launch in 2017, Canadian Club 40-year-old saw a limited release of 7,000 bottles made available at a suggested retail price of CAD250. Sold out as far as I know.
Neat: Initially, the aroma is somewhat reserved. Nonetheless, I can taste the well-known sweetness of corn whisky, which is present in a lot of Canadian whiskies. A hint of butterscotch, corn syrup, and a hint of spice come through, along with lovely notes of vanilla and honey. Aeration allows for the delicate undertones of yellow fruits, such as peach and apricot, to emerge.
Nice: There’s a pleasant sweetness upon arrival along with a hint of spice, but unfortunately, there’s not much mouthfeel. Caramel flavors linger, with notes of butterscotch and slightly diluted cough syrup. Along with a hint of zesty lime juice, vanilla, and a subtle woodsy essence of oak and cedar, there are also notes of pepper and cinnamon.
In comparison to the palate, the finish is warmer, with a spicier profile and a milder sweetness. It’s surprisingly stronger, giving off a nice kick that lasts for a long time.
Though I’m not usually a fan of “classical” Canadian whisky, this CC Chronicles 40-year blend’s prolonged maturation is effective without becoming overly woodsy. Though a little thin, the palate offers bolder flavors with a nice sense of balance, while the nose is more traditional and delicate. The finish is pleasantly surprising as it gives the palate an extra burst of flavor.
★ ★ ★ ★ Exceptional, unforgettable, and unique in any field given its rarity ★ Subtle and contained, CC 40 Year excels at what it does. The strong oak spice and light caramel notes may not be to everyone’s taste, but they work incredibly well together with this rich buttery layer.
Canadian Club became a part of the fantastic Canadian whisky releases in 2017. At $250 per bottle, this was an LCBO-only release that sold out in a matter of minutes. It’s apparently a hot-commodity in after-market trading. When creating Canadian Club 40, there are a few things that aren’t often discussed, and the flavor reflects that.
Every stage of the journey is represented in the flavor of the whisky. It’s not exactly what you would anticipate from a whisky this age. It looks pale when you place a glass of it next to Canadian Club 12, which has been aged in sherry barrels. That’s not a criticism, just an intriguing observation. This kind of whisky, which is rich in flavor and pale in color, is what Canadian Club needs to produce more of.
Canadian Club, forty years old, aging in the solera fashion What does that mean? Evaporation happens as barrels age in the warehouse. This is often referred to as angel share. Evaporating barrels take up unnecessary space. Blending whiskies from the same allocation within barrels is one way to address this issue. In this manner, whisky that is made on the same day is gradually blended into fewer and fewer barrels, where the whisky eventually evaporates. This practice is common in Canadian whisky. For forty years, Canadian Club 40 has been the subject of this.
Canadian Club 43 Year “The Speakeasy” Whisky
FAQ
Does Canadian whiskey get better with age?
How long does Canadian Club Whisky last?
Does unopened whiskey get better with age?
Does aging whiskey make it better?
How old is Canadian Club Whiskey?
This is basically the label’s classic, 150 year old product, albeit aged for one more year than was the case with Hiram Walker’s original whiskey. Canadian Club is bottled at 80 proof (40% alcohol), unless you live in Australia and New Zealand, where it is cut to 74 proof (37% alcohol).
Is Canadian Club 42 year old a good whisky?
“It is just incredible,” said Canadian Club Brand Ambassador Tish Harcus in a prepared statement. “When I tried Canadian Club 42 Year Old, I thought we couldn’t do any better, but then I tried this – it is absolutely stunning.” “Canadian Club is a leader in the whisky industry, always has been,” added Senior Brand Manager Deepti Gurkar.
How much does Canadian Club 12 year old whiskey cost?
It’s nice, and for some it will prove near perfect. One of the best things about Canadian Club 12 Year Old is the price, because you really get a nice bottle of whiskey for the money. In the United States, this should run for between $25 and $30 a bottle, depending on your local taxes.
How much is Canadian Club Whiskey?
Canadian Club 6 Year Old is a mass market whiskey, so it often retails for a modest $18 or so per 750 ml bottle. However, you can find the stuff marked down to as little as $12 for the standard fifth bottle, or $20 for the big 1.75-liter bottle. In the UK, this whiskey goes for about 18£, and for about 20 euros on the Continent.