Wiser’s Small Batch

Review: Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky   91.5/100
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted April 30, 2010

Historical Overview of Wiser’s Canadian Whiskies

Founder, John Philip (J.P.) Wiser, purchased a distillery in Prescott Ontario in 1857, and began to produce Wiser’s Whisky.  In fact the J.P. Wiser distillery may have been the first to use the term “Canadian Whiskey’ on their whisky labels, as this is how the whisky was proudly labeled at the 1893 Chicago’s Wold’s Fair.

From the beginning J.P. Wiser established his brand as a quality whisky with high standards of production.  As a result the distillery grew, as did the popularity of Wiser’s style of whisky, and by the early 1900′s Wiser’s  was the third largest distiller of whisky in Canada.

The Company merged with the H. Corby Distillery Company sometime after the death of J.P. Wiser in 1917.  Shortly after in 1932, production of the Wiser’s brands moved to the Corby distillery.  A controlling interest in the Corby distillery was acquired by Hiram Walker several years later. By 1989, the Corby distillery was closed and all production was moved to the Hiram Walker Distillery.  Through all of these changes the Wiser’s Brand has been recognized as a vital component of each company’s portfolio of brands.

So 150 years later,  Wiser’s  remains one of Canada’s leading whisky brands.  In fact,  today, Wiser’s is one of the top-selling brands of Canadian Whisky worldwide.

Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky

Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky is a relative newcomer to the Wiser’s stable of whiskies.  It was released in the fall of 2008 replacing the Wiser’s Reserve.   There are a few important differences in Wiser’s Small Batch which make it somewhat unique as far Canadian Whisky is concerned.   First, it is made in small batches using traditional distilling methods, hence the name Wiser’s Small Batch, and secondly, the bottling strength is 43.4 % rather than the traditional 40 %.  This slightly higher strength should allow the whisky to display more texture in the mouth and a more concentrated flavour and aroma.

In the Bottle  4.5/5

The Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky arrives in a tall  rectangular bottle with professional labels and attractive fonts.  As you empty the bottle, a nice portrait of J.P. Wiser which is printed on the inside of the front label becomes visible from the back of the bottle.   The right side of the label, wrapped around the corner of the bottle, tells us that the whisky is hand crafted in limited quantities at the original bottling strength of 43.4 %.  I like little touches like on the label which entice me to buy the whisky.

The bottle is capped with a  plastic screw cap, which would not be my first choice, as I prefer high density synthetic cork, but I  am glad that Wiser’s resisted the urge to use a pressed on metal cap.  Considering the relative cost of this whisky,  I think the presentation is just fine.

In the Glass 9.5/10

The whisky displays a nice amber brown toffee colour in the glass, with hints of deeper orange.  A quick swirl of the liquid lays a nice oily sheen on the sides of the glass which coalesces into long slender legs which flow slowly back into the whisky.  Oak and brown sugar rise from the glass which has a nice rum-like accent. As the glass breathes, caramel, butterscotch, vanilla and baking spices round out the nose which is remarkably deep and complex.  I found nosing the glass to be thoroughly enjoyable.

In the Mouth 55/60

The whisky is soft and supple on the tongue with a richness that I do not encounter in the Canadian Whisky Category very often.  Hot oak spices tickle the tongue in a smooth delivery which carries flavours of  caramel, butterscotch, maple, and canned fruit (apricot and pear).  Corn and light rye flavours provide the foundation upon which  the sweeter flavours are carried.  As I let the whisky sit in my mouth a Demerara sweetness forms with brown sugar and spice combining with honey to present a richly flavoured toffee.

The whisky has wonderful complexity.  The flavours are full of depth, and I taste just enough sharp oak tannins to keep the entire presentation vibrant.

In the Throat 13.5/15

I like the kick that the 43.4 per cent alcohol gives the Wiser’s Small Batch.  It shakes up my taste buds, and the rich flavours fill my palate and throat.  The whisky has a long mildly hot finish with the oak and toffee leading the flavour parade down the throat.   Maple and brown sugar provide a wonderful lingering flavour impression at the back of the palate.

The Afterburn 9/10

The Wiser’s Small Batch is a great addition to the Canadian Whisky Category.  The whisky has a wonderful richness and depth of flavour.  I like the higher bottling strength which helps to concentrate the flavours slightly, making them more assertive, yet in spite of the higher alcohol percentage, the whisky is smooth like Canadian whisky should be and a real pleasure to sip neat or to mix in cocktails.

Suggested Recipes

My impulse here is to recommend that you sip this whisky in a similar manner to the way you would sip a fine Scotch, either neat or on the rocks. I will sometimes chip or crush my ice rather than leave it in cubes and add a little fresh orange zest to the glass:

Wiser’s on Ice

2 Oz Wiser’s Small Batch Canadian Whisky
Chipped ice in a rocks glass
Orange zest

Fill a small rocks glass with chipped ice
Squeeze a little orange zest into the glass
Pour the whisky over the ice and stir
Garnish with fresh citrus (lemon or lime)
or place an orange slice in the glass as I have done

———————————————————-

The pages of my handy-dandy cocktail book, 1001 Cocktails: 1001 Recipes for the Perfect Drink (Hardcover) ~ Alex Barker (Compiler) gives a nice recipe for the Mammy on page 184.  The recipe can be found on the Cocktails of the World Website as well. I made only a very small tweak and found it to be an excellent choice for Wiser’s Small Batch Whisky. Using my tweaked recipe and Wiser’s Small Batch whisky I call this recipe:

The Wiser Mammy

2 Oz Wiser’s Small Batch Whisky
1 Oz Fresh Lime Juice
dash of Sugar Syrup
1/2 cup cracked ice
Ginger Ale
Lime zest

Remove thin strips of lime peel from a fresh lime
Fill a tall highball glass half full of chipped ice
Add the lime juice and the Wiser’s Small Batch Whisky
Top with ginger ale
Add a few threads of lime peel and stir gently.

As Always I want to remind everyone that my aim is not to help you drink more…it is to help you drink better!

Disclosure Note: The whisky sample for this review was provided by J.P. Wiser Distillery Limited (Owner Corby Distilleries Limited).