Cadenhead's Potter's Indian Corn 24 Year Old Bourbon Barrel

And we come to our final Canadian whisky of the day. A 24 year old distilled from 100% Indian corn, bottled by Cadenhead's in February 2014. This was matured in a bourbon barrel, and like all Cadenhead's bottlings, it is non-coloured and non-chill-filtered. Though the label says it was distilled at Potter Distilling Co. in Kelowna BC, they actually didn't distill but bottled purchased whisky from other distilleries. No matter - this is rare stuff: only 126 bottles were created, and I had the privilege of tasting this from another bottle at Spirit of Toronto in May 2015. I purchased this bottle from Scotch Whisky Auctions at a good price; I was the only bidder.

Note that in 2013 I reviewed another Cadenhead's bottling of Indian corn from Potter's. That one was 14 years old and I scored it an 89.

The colour is a reddish copper with golden highlights. On the nose - so much juicy corn, and so much like an old cask strength single grain scotch (distillation and maturation is pretty much identical). Buckets of caramel and vanilla, but also overripe banana (unlike some of the Canadian micro-distilleries I've reviewed today which showcased underripe green banana), buttered corn on the cob, umami, oak and pine needles. Cinnamon. Corn syrup. Herbs such as lavender and mint (which work here, believe me). Water dilutes the alcohol, evening things out nicely. Fascinating.

The palate is extraordinary (and hot with the alcohol), with tropical fruits (papaya, more banana), chili powder, honey and a hint of maple syrup. Tons of oak but it's always smooth. Mouthfeel is like a very light maple syrup as well, which doesn't sound great but like the herbs on the nose, totally works here - though water thins that out, which is fine too. Desserty and delicious.

The finish is very rye-like with freshly-sawn pine, vanilla, cloves and grapefruit pith (must have been some rye in the bourbon the cask previously held?) In my 2013 review of the 14 year old bottling, I dock it points for missing the rye element I love so much in Canadian whiskies. But now I think that's missing the point. This is a delicious, mature, endlessly interesting whisky that balances it's sweetness with developing flavours. If you find it, get it.

So Happy (Belated) Canada Day, folks. I've had a fantastic time going through all of these whiskies: some micro-distilled, one behemoth brand, and one closed distillery. Some so-so, some good, two world class. As always, I'm immensely proud to be Canadian.