Shelter Point The Collective 46%

You never know what dazzling surprise will emerge next from the depths of the warehouses at Shelter Point Distillery in Campbell River, B.C. You can be sure though that whatever they come up with, it is going to be exceptional. Several dozen new distilleries in Canada have begun making whisky seriously in the past decade or so, and a handful are already at world class. Among these, Shelter Point is clearly the gem of Vancouver Island and in the very front rank of whisky distillers nationally.

Teamwork is a big part of their magic and nowhere is this demonstrated more clearly than in a new whisky they call “The Collective.” The whisky began with five local distillery staff being given five cask samples each, and told that their favourite would be included in a special release. To keep things interesting, each staff member received a different set of samples. The resulting blend, which includes single malt, unmalted barley, wheat and rye whiskies reflects the collective spirit of the Shelter Point family.

On the nose, The Collective is bright, floral and fruity, with peaches, raspberries, prune juice and hints of grain. Over time, floral esters, grain dust, oat straw, mineral tones and citrus notes drift in as well.

The sweet malty palate shows hints of peat smoke that turn to smoky billows for a few seconds, followed by some earthy ashy tones. Clear notes of freshly harvested grain, nutty dry grain, wheat germ and barley sugar form a base for a creamy, pleasingly weighty palate with contrasting peppery spices. The smokiness, always present but subdued, is just gorgeous with some post-smoke tang. 

The Collective finishes with spices, vaguely sweet grain and hints of clean oak. And if you smell your dry empty glass next morning you’ll find the petrichor smell of new rain, fruit, caramel and vanilla ice cream.

The Collective has not been chill-filtered which may account for its luscious palate. No spirit caramel was added either, leaving the barrels it matured in to imbue it with its golden hues.

Very highly recommended ★★★★★