40 Creek Double Barrel Reserve~

[Not A Nice Person]

Although Canadian-style whiskys come in a distant third on my list to Scotches and bourbons, I've always liked 40 Creek. It's rich, smooth, reasonably complex for a Canadian (miles and miles above the thoroughly crappy Crown Royal everyone seems to like) and a dirt cheap bargain.

I have a Friday routine that begins with a restocking trip to the local liquour store . . . I do this on Fridays because they always have a drink promo girl in there with samples on Fridays, and she's hot. This week, she was serving up 40 Creek, and a little taste reminded me how much I like it. Then, down the bourbon aisle for my usual Woodford Reserve, which I go through faster than anything else in the house, I noticed that the 40 Creek Double Barrel Reserve was on sale---down to $38 from $54!

I really like it. :thumbs:

Nose reminds me of apples, and it's fiery and slightly sweet on the palate, with a hint of smoke and a long toffee finish. Not as smoky/peaty as an Islay, not as "corn" (I don't know what else to call that flavor) as a bourbon . . . but a mighty agreeable tipple nonetheless. A lot of body for a Canadian, and it coats the tongue nicely.

I suspect a backup bottle's in my future come payday, if they haven't cleared 'em all out by then. But even at MSRP, this is fine whisky.

~Boar

 

[LarryH]

You and I are on the same page. I know several people who only know Crown Royal but then they mix it with Coke. My comment is usually something like "if you're going to mix it why not buy something cheaper". I'll be on the lookout for the 40 Creek. :thumbs:

I've moved more to Scotch lately since I believe Bourbon has been causing me some problems due to the higher levels of tannins. I'm not positive that's it but I think it's helping.

I put Woodford, Makers, and Knob in the same class even though around here Woodford is usually close to $10 more for a fifth so I rarely buy it. I was gifted a bottle for my birthday in July and thoroughly enjoyed it. My go to Bourbon is Makers on the rocks. To me it just seems a little smoother than the other two. When I toured the distillery a few years ago I learned that they use wheat instead of rye for one of the secondary grains and they say this makes it smoother. This may sound weird but I often get a cinnamon hit when I take that first sip.

 

[Not A Nice Person]

The regular 40 Creek is to whisky what Flor de Cana Gold is to rum---cheap enough to mix; good enough to sip. Just one of those great bargains! The John K. Hall Double Barrel Reserve is given a second finishing soak in first-run bourbon casks, and is even smoother and a lot more complex. Gorgeous bottle, too. I probably wouldn't have purchased it if it hadn't been steeply discounted, but now I'm really glad I did, and looking forward to trying the Port Wood Finish that's supposed to hitting shelves this year.

BTW, Woodford Reserve has been on sale here since I've been drinking it . . . same price as Knobs & 1792 and only a couple bucks more than Makers, which is a bit too mild for me. I do pick up Buffalo Trace as a "budget stretcher" fairly often, since a liter of it goes for the same price as a fifth of Woodford.

~Boar

 

[LarryH]

It's really interesting to hear about the regional differences. Woodford Reserve is rarely on sale here while Makers Mark almost always is, especially the 1.75 liter. I just checked my local B&M's prices on fifths and Woodford is on sale for $27.99 (reg. $36.99) but Makers is on sale for $19.99(reg. $25.79). I may have to pick up a bottle if it's still on sale tomorrow.

I've been working on a nice bottle of Eagle Rare Single Barrel Reserve for the last few days that I picked up about a week ago on sale for $22.99.