Forty Creek Spike Honey Spiced Whisky
40% ABV - Ontario, Canada
Nose: Sweet, sweet honey and spices with caramel. Small whiffs of alcohol heat.
Taste: It’s marketed as a spiced whisky and that’s what you get. Flavours stay true to the label.
Finish: Drawn out sweet and spicy notes.
Okay, let’s step back for a moment—this is not meant to be sipped and savoured by itself. And that ends the review where I actually had tasted this neat!
We knew this was destined for a cocktail and so that is what used it for. Equal parts lemonade and Forty Creek Spike, we added club soda for some bubbles, a heavy splash of ginger beer, and served it to guests over ice with a slice of Cara Cara orange as garnish. And that, let me tell you, was an easy drinking and delicious cocktail.
Tasted 18 November 2023. (Posted 5 February 2024.)
70/100
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.
