Whisky: Forty Creek Unity Limited Edition 2018 Canadian Whisky
Producer: Campari Group
Distillery: Forty Creek
Whisky Type: Canadian Blend
Region: Grimsby, Ontario
Age: NAS
ABV: 43%
Aged in Cask: Not disclosed (barrel is made with several mocha staves) 
Mash Bill: Barley, corn, rye.
Price Range: $$

Forty Creek distillery is located in Grimsby, on Lake Ontario, taking its name from the nearby creek situated only 40 miles west of Niagara Falls.

Winemaker John Hall and Master Blender Bill Ashburn founded the distillery in 1992, becoming one of the most awarded distilleries in Canada. In 2014 the Italian beverage company Campari bought Forty Creek, adding another whisky brand to its portfolio (joining Glen Grant and Wild Turkey)

Famous award-winning expressions include: Forty Creek Barrel Select, and Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve (made from Canadian oak planted around the 1860s, when Canada became a confederation)

Most of Forty Creek’s whisky (check website for more info) matures in bourbon barrels purchased from Kentucky and Missouri. Canadian oak is also used for maturation because it is rich in vanillins and has a tighter wood grain when compared to American oak.

The story behind the Unity name involves a contest where five fans from different regions of Canada would sample three different blends and select the winner for the 2018 release. The fans could not agree on the blend, so Bill Ashburn created a fourth blend that became the winning expression known as Unity.

The blend contains four-year-old whiskies aged in barrels with mocha staves, ten-year-old whisky, and a small portion of a fifteen-year-old starboard Portuguese-style wine aged in Forty Creek barrels. According to Canadian regulations, distillers can add wine to Canadian Whisky as long as the wine (or spirit) is matured for at least two years and does not exceed 9.09% of the total volume.

Tasting Notes for Forty Creek Unity Limited Edition 2018 Canadian Whisky

This limited edition belongs to lot 012. Bottle #13465 and alcohol strength of 43% ABV.

Nose: A tannic nose, red wine, oak spices, and dark chocolate, which becomes more noticeable by adding a few drops of water.

Palate: Rich and astringent red wine arrival with fruits and berries. Adding water amplifies both bitter and oaky flavors, creating a complex whisky.

Finish: A very long and bitter finish with pepper. Adding water makes the whisky oakier.

Conclusion: A very complex Canadian Whisky with plenty of tannins, berries, and oak spices. The whisky settles very well after ten minutes in the glass as it becomes more elegant with articulate. Those who appreciate whisky with a wine influence will enjoy it because of its uniqueness. A must try Canadian Blend. Cheers!

Score: 4.25/5⭐

Check more reviews on Canadian whisky here.

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