<ARCHIVE> | CAMPBELTOWN HIGHLANDS ISLANDS ISLAY LOWLANDS SPEYSIDE | AMERICAN CANADIAN IRISH WORLD | INDEPENDENT | ANCNOC ARDBEG BENRIACH BLAIR ATHOL BOWMORE BRUICHLADDICH BUFFALO TRACE CAOL ILA CARN MOR CLYNELISH COMPASS BOX CREATIVE WHISKY COMPANY CROWN ROYAL DEANSTON DOUGLAS LAING FERMENTORIUM FORTY CREEK GLENDRONACH GLENFARCLAS GLENMORANGIE GORDON MACPHAIL HIGH WEST HIGHLAND PARK JACK DANIELS JAMESON JP WISERS JURA KENTUCKY BOURBON DISTILLERS KILCHOMAN KIRKLAND KNOB CREEK LAPHROAIG LOCH LOMOND MACALLAN MIDLETON ODD SOCIETY OLD PULTENEY SHELTER POINT THE GLENLIVET TWO BREWERS

Two Brewers Release 20 Innovative Maple Syrup Finish

40% ABV - Yukon Territory, Canada

Nose: As this was resting in the glass, the sweet grains and roasted malt aromas just filled my space! When I go searching there is some banana peel (I’m thinking like a Jack Daniels-esque influence to it), spices, and lemon citrus.

Taste: The maple syrup really comes through here on the palate, with an assortment of ripe fruits, a strong nod back to the malt forward flavour, with lesser amounts of brown sugar, wood spice, and molasses.

Finish: It finishes off just encapsulated in maple candy, with spices, citrus, wood, cinnamon, and roasted nuts. Sweetness for days.

It took me a long, long time to review this—I opened it soon after purchase, and overall it tastes great, but I think that I put off this detailed review because the maple influence is so overwhelming that I thought that this would end up being a lacklustre review!

Now that I have had a few sessions since then where I have sat down and really focused on the flavour, it turns out the maple isn’t that overpowering and there are a number of nuances within it that add up to a smashing dram. This isn’t an everyday drinker, but it is perfect as an aperitif every now and then.

Two Brewers Release 20 sure is Innovative having been finished in barrels that previously held maple syrup. Odd Society released a Maple Whisky (not to be confused with the newer release, Maple Smoked) that shared a similar aging history and it would be sweet (pun intended) to side-by-side them together. Because I enjoyed that Odd Society release so much, it was a "no think" decision to pick up this bottle of Two Brewers. Maybe it’s one of the more Canadian things about me, but I guess that I love me a whisky with a hit (not just a hint) of maple syrup!

Details: Bottle 578 of 1055. Release No. 20, April 2020. "Finished in maple syrup barrels, this whisky is a sugar and spice, and many things nice. The maple teases the edges of this S’morish treat."

Tasting Notes (Official): Burnt sugar and baking spices, rich with oak, seek release from the glass. The velvety body is coating with heavy sugars and syrup on the tongue, toasted graham and cinnamon flickering just above. The maple barrels’ influence becomes clearly evident in the bright, long-lasting finish.

Tasted 03, 07 March 2021. (Posted 10 June 2021.)

89/100
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.


Whisky Bottle