Forty Creek Victory

This year's Limited Release is named for the victory of Canadian forces against the Americans at a battle near the distillery, during the war of 1812. 2019 is the 205th Anniversary of the battle (too bad they didn't think of this five years ago). It is a blend of corn and rye whiskies, with the legally-permitted dollop of Villard Noir Starbord wine (no idea why they picked a Chilean wine to help commemorate something so historically Canadian). Then toasted oak staves were inserted into half of the fully matured whisky for two months. I'd credit the Master Distiller for all of this, but besides an illegible signature on the bottle, there is no mention of his name on either the label nor the website! I know @paddockjudge knows but I just can't remember...

The colour is a very dark amber. Somewhat herbal on the nose with typical Forty Creek notes of candied peel, cotton candy, heaps of vanilla and light maple syrup. Fruity with baked apples, cinnamon bark and Mackintosh toffee. Paprika and a hint of wood smoke show up with water. A bit sweet for me, but you are a Forty Creek fan, it ticks all the boxes.

On the palate you can really taste the corn (buttered, roasted, BBQd, caramelled), with a thick syrupy mouthfeel (again with the maple). Nice oak influence but the winey notes are a bit too enveloping, though water evens it out a bit. Too smooth and syrupy to my liking, even for Forty Creek.

The medium length finish is peppery and oaky but a bit rough with the wine tannins, which contrasts with the otherwise smooth nature of the whisky. Last year I scored 2018's Limited Release Unity an 84; this one doesn't get that high. Davin de Kergommeaux scored this a 91, which I think is being extremely generous (as is often the case...)