Canadian

Lot No. 40 Dark Oak

$61.00

OVERALL
RATING

Whisky Review: Lot No. 40 Dark Oak

by Jennifer Williams
November 30, 2022

Tasting Notes:

About:

NAS, 96 proof (48% ABV), 750 ml MSRP $61, product of Canada.

Appearance:

Burnished copper.

Nose:

This rye offers a moderate nose burn followed by smoky notes of cinnamon with earthy hints of oak and grass.

Palate:

The warm, spicy palate offers notes of vanilla, caramel, and green apple along with a hint of black pepper.

Finish:

Comments:

This is a solid Canadian rye whisky thats an excellent choice for newcomers and tried and true rye whisky enthusiasts alike. Its broad flavor profile is very well balanced with a savory and smooth, long finish. Overall, this is a highly satisfying Canadian rye whisky experience with a distinct complexity, all of which is offered at a very reasonable price.

Editor’s Note: This whisky was provided to us as a review sample by Lot No. 40. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. By clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.

Lot No. 40 Dark Oak is a product of Pernod Ricard. It is produced at the iconic Hiram Walker and Sons distillery located in Windsor, Canada. This historic facility has been in operation for 160 years and has produced some of the very best Canadian whiskies. It has also been awarded “Distillery of the Year” four years in a row by the Canadian Whisky Awards.

Canada’s Lot No. 40 Dark Oak is a 100% rye whiskey distilled in a column still, and then in a post still. It is initially aged in new American oak #2 char barrels, and is then finished in #4 char barrels, which add still more depth of flavor and color, before being bottled at 96 proof without an age statement. In a prepared statement, Master Distiller Dr. Don Livermore stated that this expression is “Absolutely one of my favorite whiskies in the world” and that it “sets a new standard for Canadian rye whisky.”

In 2021, Lot No. 40 Dark Oak Canadian Whisky beat out rye whiskies from the United States, Australia, Germany, England, Denmark and Ireland to win the title of the “World’s Best Rye” in the World Whiskies Awards. When commenting on Lot No. 40 Dark Oak, the global panel of judges at the competition said “Grassy leafy aromas kick off the nose, with earthy sweetness and toasted bread. Flavors of clove, fudge, caramel and hot spice take over the palate. A little sweet and fruity with powdered candy and barley sugar. A spicy and sweet finish.”

Other distinctions include winning Gold in the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 96 points in the International World Spirits Competition.

Upon its initial release in 2020 and 2021, it was only available in markets across Canada and the UK. In late September of this year it hit markets across the U.S. including New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, and Dallas/Ft. Worth.