Canada Gets Its Own Rare Whisky Collection Release

by Nino Kilgore-Marchetti
September 19, 2017

The fall whiskey release cycle is marked in different parts of the greater whisk(e)y world by the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection in the US and Diageo’s Special Releases set in Scotland. Canada has largely been left out of this hype – that is, until now anyhow. Enter from Corby Spirit and Wine/Pernod Ricard the first annual Northern Border Collection Rare Release.

The Northern Border Collection Rare Release, according to those behind it, is a hand-picked selection from Canada’s rarest casks. This includes the following:

Lot No. 40 Cask Strength is a 12 year old, 100% rye whisky right from the cask. It sits at 55.0% abv, which emphasizes the spicy rye notes and complimenting new white oak. 750ml bottle priced at $69.95.

Gooderham & Worts Little Trinity is a 17 year old whisky which is a blend of three grains – corn, rye, and wheat. A nice sipping whisky where each grain will linger across the palate delivering a pleasant finish. This whisky celebrates the story of Little Trinity Church, a church that William Gooderham established in 1842 for his mill and distillery employees who couldn’t afford the high pew fees in the area. 750ml bottle priced at $79.95

Pike Creek 21 Year Old is a unique offering in the Canadian Whisky category where it is finished in a Speyside Malt cask. This rare release demonstrates how whiskies from Scotland and Canada can complement one another to give a smooth and round sipping whisky. 750ml bottle priced at $89.95.

J.P. Wiser’s 35 Year Old is one of the oldest Canadian Whiskies ever produced. It represents a traditional blended rye whisky that has experienced the harsh Canadian winters and warm summers over 35 years in our ageing warehouse.” 750ml bottle priced at $164.95.

These bottlings will be available in Canadian stores starting next month. It is unclear if they will be available in other international markets.

“This is an extraordinary line up of Canadian Whisky and should be part of any whisky collection,” said Dr. Don Livermore, Corby Master Blender, in a prepared statement.