American

The Perfect Fifth Canongate 15 Year Old American Whiskey Review

The Perfect Fifth's Canongate expression showcases a fascinating trans-Atlantic journey, spending three years in Kentucky before 12 years of additional maturation in Scotland's Lowlands. This 15-year bourbon delivers deep sweetness with bursts of oak and an exceptionally long, buttery finish.

OVERALL RATING

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Tasting Notes

About:

The Perfect Fifth is an independent bottler established in 2019. This release is part of the brand’s “Bottled and Born” series, which highlights the ongoing connection between Kentucky and Scotland.

The Canongate expression was distilled at Heaven Hill in 2009. It spent three years maturing in Bardstown, Kentucky, before being resting in the Lowlands of Scotland for an additional 12 years, for a complete maturation of 15 years.

Compared to other Scottish regions, the Lowlands experience milder, more stable temperatures averaging between 41 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit, accompanied by higher humidity due to coastal proximity and lower altitude. These conditions tend to slow the maturation process and reduce the annual angel’s share to about 1–2%, compared to 2–3% in warmer or drier areas like Speyside.
Appearance:
Golden wheat
Nose:
Start off with delightful banana and taffy, ripe raspberries, salt, apricots, lemons and cedar.
Palate:
Warm given the ABV. I found bananas foster, Hawaiian sugar cane, dark molasses cookies, milk chocolate, creme brulee crust. It is a nice deep sweetness with bursts of oak. A delightful dram.
Finish:
One of those finishes you wished never ended! A buttery mouthfeel with a slow burn in the chest, it is long punctuated by leather and oak and accompanied by earth tones of coriander.
Comments:
Absolutely worth a bottle if you can find one. There is a lot to explore and aging in the lowlands really allows the whiskey to mature more completely vs. its first three years in Kentucky. Deep taste profile to reflect the talent of the craftsman and the effort.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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