De Vine Glen Saanich single malt

The annual release of Glen Saanich single malt by De Vine Distillery and Winery is something of a phenomenon. Although release day is not exactly a swarming Walmart-sale scrum, low production volumes of the whisky have forced fans to compete actively for the few bottles available. De Vine, which is located just north of Victoria B.C. on the Saanich Peninsula has changed that for 2020, opting for a larger batch this year.

That decision should please the jostling crowds. This splendid single malt whisky is very much worth adding to any serious whisky bar or collection.

The team at De Vine likes to think of their operation as the Willy Wonka of distilleries, and its distiller/blender/whiskymaker, Ken Winchester certainly fits that bill. Nevertheless, we prefer to think of him more as a spirits wizard. Great stuff here.

Tasting notes:

Nose:  Sweet with echos of grain, malt, mild vanilla, and fruit.

Palate:  Sweet and vaguely floral - lilacs? with hot spices and a slight citrus bitterness. The whisky soon begins to glow with a spicy heat which caramel, lots of malt and clean grain soften into toasted white bread and roasted malt. A particularly pleasing spicy spot in the middle yields to cooked peaches with just hints of burly tobacco. Rich and flavourful, round and full, while pleasingly soft.

 Finish:  Medium with fading sweetness that grows hotter, spicier and vaguely waxy. 

Abv 45%

Highly recommended ★★★★☆