Forty Creek Limited Edition 2021 Master’s Cut
48.5% ABV - Ontario, Canada
Nose: Butterscotch, vanilla, kettle corn, oak, and dried mango.
Taste: Butterscotch! with thin slices of leather, spices, and orange creamsicle.
Finish: Spices, pepper, butter, wood polish, black tea and... BUTTERSCOTCH! Nice and long.
I think that the Forty Creek Master’s Cut, the 2021 Limited Edition, is one of the most unique Canadian whiskies that I have tasted. In particular, I feel that this whisky is a great exemplar of the butterscotch flavour.
It is a fairly strange whisky: it is re-distilled, re-distilled from older stock and then aged in oak again for 5 years. I can’t say that I’ve heard of another distillery doing that. I’m not sure how the Scotch Whisky Association would take to this idea, but hey, I think it works! In addition, this is labelled as a "Cask Strength" release, but the ABV is only 48.5%! …for a 5-year old Canadian whisky! That ABV would normally be up in the 60s, easily.
Details: Lot: 015 and Bottle No: 7186.
Tasting Notes (Official): Aromas: Candied fruit with floral top notes. Flavour: Spicy with vanilla and wood notes. Finish: Signature Forty Creek smooth finish.
Tasted 12 June 2024. (Posted 4 October 2024.)
87/100
Detailed Rating Information...
90+: Fantastic whisky; highly recommended.
My favourite whiskies – I might have more than one bottle if the price is right and the supply is limited! The higher values in this range will reflect a stronger balance and consistency between components.
85-89: Great whisky; recommended.
Whiskies that tick the flavour boxes and you'll likely hear about these from me. An easy decision to order at a bar/restaurant and one to consider buying a bottle of.
80-84: Very good whisky; recommended, but still consider trying before you buy.
Most of these whiskies I was really happy to have the opportunity to taste, but, apart from a dram here and there, I don’t think I would buy a bottle.
75-79: Good whisky; consider trying before you buy.
These are whiskies that I did enjoy drinking, but likely would reach for another bottle or select something different to order.
65-74: Average; consider trying before you buy, but not recommended.
There is nothing that stood out about this whisky and I might be inclined to mix it with soda or in a cocktail, instead of trying to enjoy its own flavours.
50-64: Bad; not recommended.
I didn’t like this and would sooner pass on another opportunity and order a beer instead than have it again… but never say never.
