Canadian

Stalk and Barrel Canadian Single Malt

$90.00

OVERALL
RATING

Whisky Review: Stalk and Barrel Canadian Single Malt

by Will Meek
September 19, 2016

Tasting Notes:

About:

Appearance:

Pretty light, somewhere between white wine, light lager beer, and hay. Not much for legs, but leaves a light skyline on the glass as I turn it.

Nose:

The aroma is extremely intense, borderline unpleasant. Taking a strong sniff right from a Glencairn lit my nose up like raw wasabi. For one of the only times in my life, my eyes burned just smelling it. Cinnamon, rubbing alcohol, and sitting too close to a campfire. unless it had the right water addition for me, but when just focusing in the mouth and on the exhale it has a depth that is inviting and dangerous. I kept going back for more and searching for other elements. I’m thinking that my

Palate:

This is wild in the mouth. Very fiery, which simultaneously creates a depth of flavor but a thinness on the tongue. Definitely cinnamon notes on the palate, hints of oak, a touch of plum and dates, black pepper, and dark caramel that provides some sweetness. The heat cannot be underestimated here, the burn lasts for a full minute and beyond without a significant water addition. Final Thoughts: This is a whisky that will demand your attention and leave you puzzled at first, but wanting to learn more. I found myself taking fewer samples of the aroma unless it had the right water addition for me, but when just focusing in the mouth and on the exhale it has a depth that is inviting and dangerous. I kept going back for more and searching for other elements. I’m thinking that my palate was confused by the heat and the youth in combination, and my brain is looking for something of greater sophistication, but it just hasn’t had time to develop. For now is just a raw talent with promise and some unfinished edges. When I found the perfect water addition it begged for more pours. If this is a product that Still Waters is going to also age for a longer time, I’d love to get my hands on a bottle at 10 years old and beyond. Score: 80/100 [SHOP FOR A BOTTLE OF STALK & BARREL SINGLE MALT]

Finish:

Comments:

Still Waters Distillery is small operation in Concord Ontario, which is just north of Toronto. They currently make three whiskies: Single Malt (what we are reviewing here), Rye (made from 100% Canadian grown rye that makes up at least 51% if the grain bill), and Canadian (a blend of their base whiskies). They take great pride in producing “handmade grain to glass” whiskies and in using all-Canadian malts.

Stalk and Barrel Canadian Single Malt is 100% Canadian 2-row barley, made in unspecified small batches, distilled in copper, and aged in former bourbon barrels for over three years. It was first released in 2013. This offering was aged for three to four years, was bottled at cask strength, and was sold exclusively in the States. They have collected a handful of awards for Stalk and Barrel Single Malt, and the silk screened label would jump off the shelf at any bottle shop.

Tasting Notes: Stalk and Barrel Canadian Single Malt

Vital Stats: Cask 5, 120 proof, aged 3.4yr, 100% Canadian 2-row, $90-100,

Appearance: Pretty light, somewhere between white wine, light lager beer, and hay. Not much for legs, but leaves a light skyline on the glass as I turn it.

Nose: The aroma is extremely intense, borderline unpleasant. Taking a strong sniff right from a Glencairn lit my nose up like raw wasabi. For one of the only times in my life, my eyes burned just smelling it. Cinnamon, rubbing alcohol, and sitting too close to a campfire.

Palate: This is wild in the mouth. Very fiery, which simultaneously creates a depth of flavor but a thinness on the tongue. Definitely cinnamon notes on the palate, hints of oak, a touch of plum and dates, black pepper, and dark caramel that provides some sweetness. The heat cannot be underestimated here, the burn lasts for a full minute and beyond without a significant water addition.

Final Thoughts:

This is a whisky that will demand your attention and leave you puzzled at first, but wanting to learn more. I found myself taking fewer samples of the aroma unless it had the right water addition for me, but when just focusing in the mouth and on the exhale it has a depth that is inviting and dangerous.

I kept going back for more and searching for other elements. I’m thinking that my palate was confused by the heat and the youth in combination, and my brain is looking for something of greater sophistication, but it just hasn’t had time to develop. For now is just a raw talent with promise and some unfinished edges. When I found the perfect water addition it begged for more pours. If this is a product that Still Waters is going to also age for a longer time, I’d love to get my hands on a bottle at 10 years old and beyond.