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Gibson's Finest 12 Year Old (Distilled 1971)

Old vs. New

4 886

@talexanderReview by @talexander

28th Aug 2019

1

Gibson's Finest 12 Year Old (Distilled 1971)
  • Nose
    21
  • Taste
    22
  • Finish
    21
  • Balance
    22
  • Overall
    86

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

I picked up this old bottling at auction (distilled the year of my birth!) Let's see how it compares to the current bottling.

The colour is a pale gold. On the nose a light caramel with a wisp of wood smoke. Vanilla extract. Tobacco ash. Candy apple. Poached pear. Fruity with a nice layering of oak and tobacco. Water adds forest floor and more wood smoke. Classic Canadian.

On the palate the caramel is more predominate with red apple skins, baking spices and a touch of mint. Very creamy mouthfeel. Gets spicier with time, adding layers of orange peel and fennel. Water adds even more spice (though not hot - more like cinnamon and paprika) and a slight maltiness. Quite delicious.

The long finish is peppery with more oak, milk chocolate and a hint of grapefruit. This gives you exactly what you want from an older bottling - richness and complexity, while never trying to re-invent the wheel. How does it compare with the current Gibson's 12 Year Old? Slightly darker in colour, it has all the same notes but dialled down significantly. The palate in particular is sharper without the depth of the 1971 distillate. No big surprise - these older Canadian bottlings almost always outshine their descendents.

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8 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

Was everything in the picture part of the same lot? That’s a lot of overproof rum for one person....

How is the rum? I was looking at it at the LCBOthe other day. I needed something for Mojitos and flambé bananas and Smith and cross is not currently available. I went with something darker.

5 years ago 0

@JasonHambrey
JasonHambrey commented

I love the Wray & Nephew rum. In Jamaica it goes for 9$/litre….

I have had a few Gibson's from a few decades back and they were quite excellent. I'm not overly impressed by the current lineup, though I thought the 8 year old was a decent addition. I quite enjoy the 18, but not as much as I used to years ago.

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@JasonHambrey ok so it’s cheap in Jamaica but how does it taste? Would it make a good Mojito or banana flambé? Looking for more than just the high proof. But high proof is good For flambé

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@fiddich1980
fiddich1980 commented

@Nozinan The Review on Wray and Nephew by @talexander can be found on thread "Reviews of 'Other' Spirits: A bit of (forced) fun".

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@talexander
talexander commented

@Nozinan Yes that was all the same lot. And yes, that is too much rum for one person. Luckily, we are two persons (and one of us has Caribbean blood).

5 years ago 2Who liked this?

@talexander
talexander commented

@Nozinan I did review the Wray & Nephew - I think it is excellent for a white overproof rum. I'm sure it would be great for your applications. I only have a bit left from the last bottle (see earlier note re: Caribbean partner).

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@talexander I read your review. You know, it's probably worth trying. They have small bottles of it at the LCBO. I like the flavours of dark rum, even in applications that call for white rum (like mojitos). But hey, what's the worst that can happen? It' not like I'll be igniting everclear on my stove...

5 years ago 2Who liked this?

@talexander
talexander commented

@Nozinan Believe it or not, Serge Valentin gave it a good review too. It's tasty but it's a powerhouse.

5 years ago 0