Forty Creek John's Private Cask No. 1

It's that time of year again. It has become an Autumn tradition that Canadian whisky lovers line up at Kittling Ridge Distillery to purchase a special limited edition Forty Creek whisky and a Spring tradition that people visit the Forty Creek website to sign up for a specially numbered bottle or two. Reservations for the 2011 release, called John's Private Cask No. 1, are now open and will remain so until June 14th.As in past years, each bottle will be individually numbered (1 through 9,000) and customers have the opportunity to reserve a bottle with a number that has some special significance to them. Those who order a bottle must pick it up at the distillery as government regulations prohibit shipment of whisky within Canada. It's usually quite a weekend with VIP tours and whisky seminars to make the drive worthwhile and again this year John Hall will be on hand to sign the bottles.This release is limited to 1,500 cases. That's 9,000 bottles. Last year's special release, Confederation Oak, came and went so fast in U.S. liquor stores that some whisky lovers questioned its very existence. Conspiracy theorists who quickly lumped it in with Neil Armstrong's Moon Walk and Obama's Birth Certificate, should note that this time distribution is being restricted solely to Canada. But then that was the plan for Confederation Oak until Forty Creek's U.S. distributors insisted the distillery send it south. The whisky will, most assuredly, be available this fall in most Canadian provinces at a suggested retail price of $69.95.Writing on his website John Hall notes, "Every year, I look forward to experimenting with different whiskies, a variety of barrels and new taste expressions. Forty Creek limited releases are my chance to continue to grow as a whisky maker and offer a new experience for those who enjoy Forty Creek. Each whisky has a taste profile of its own, yet remains characteristically true to the Forty Creek family.""So far, many of the Forty Creek limited releases have focused on the type of oak barrels that I have used to finish the ageing process. However, with Private Cask No. 1, I took a different approach. The focus is on the grains – highlighting the taste of the varietal grains and showcasing the complexity of the aromas and tastes. This contributes to creating a harmony of flavours.""I am particularly excited about sharing my Forty Creek John’s Private Cask No. 1 as it offers a glimpse into the taste profile of some of my favourite whiskies. It is a blend of rye, corn & barley whiskies, which have all been copper pot distilled and aged as single grain whiskies. You will taste the characteristic complexity and smoothness in the whisky. The difference, however, is the barrels I have selected and the proportion of each variety of grain that is included in the final meritage."Hall goes on to add his tasting impressions. "First, are the malted cereal notes that are accented with vanilla and cacao/dark chocolate and sprinkled with pepper and cinnamon, ginger spice. Next come hints of tropical marzipan and coconut. A luxurious creaminess filled with spice flares that actually cleanse the palate. Soft oak tannins and espresso notes on the back palate.""This is an extremely complex whisky, providing a multi dimensional taste experience."$69.95 on the Forty Creek website now, or in most provincial liquor stores this fall.Forty Creek John's Private Cask No. 1 is reviewed here.Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve is reviewed here.Forty Creek Barrel Select is reviewed here.Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve is reviewed here.