A Rare Canadian Single Barrel Pick for Blanton’s Fans

Caribou Crossing Whisky has become such a sought-after gem in California that collectors snap up every bottle as soon as it hits the shelves. So, when they offered me the chance to select a barrel, it was an easy yes. After tasting thousands of single barrels of cask-strength bourbon, it was surprising to choose an 80-proof Canadian whisky. I'm so accustomed to the intensity of cask-strength bourbons that this felt like a new adventure.

When the barrel finally arrived, I was taken aback by the way the Sazerac apparatus labels their barrels. Not only did they include the distillation date—Christmas Eve 2017—but they also listed the mashbill as "bourbon," which it definitely is not. However, it does contain at least 51% corn distillate, which piqued my interest. Unlike bourbon, these whiskies aren’t subject to the same stringent regulatory requirements regarding new oak, distillation temperatures, and more. But when I opened our first bottle, I was surprised to find an unmistakable maple note on the nose. Had they sweetened it with maple syrup? Of course not—that would be absurd. But there’s something so inviting and friendly about this whisky that makes it dangerously easy to drink.

This would be the perfect bottle to crack open on Christmas Eve. Not only can you tell your guests it was distilled exactly eight years earlier, but the winter vibes are undeniable. Let's dive in: The color is a classic chestnut (1.2). The nose brings maple wood and sweet caramel to the forefront, with hints of winter spices and stone fruit adding complexity. It's not overly spicy, just warm and inviting. The palate is soft and round, with a pronounced maple sweetness, subtle stone fruit, caramel candies and hints of clove-y spice. After a day of drinking cask-strength bourbon, this feels like a refreshing change. It’s whisky that will appeal to nearly everyone. It’s not boring or one-dimensional per se; it has enough character to be interesting, but it won’t knock you off your chair. It’s the kind of whisky that’ll make everyone at the table happy, and the striking elk on the top will capture everyone's attention when you drop it on the table.

-David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Caribou Crossing "K&L Exclusive" Single Barrel #1329 Canadian Whisky (750ml) ($64.99)

This rare, exclusive Caribou Crossing is the very first in K&L’s illustrious history. One of the very few Canadian single barrels on the market and indeed, it claims to be Canada’s very first single barrel whisky. Caribou has aptly been dubbed Canada’s answer to Blanton’s. Of course, just because there’s a cute little caribou on the cap does not make a legend. But for many years, Caribou has been one of the only Canadians to bridge the gap with diehard bourbon lovers. It doesn’t offer a replacement for Kentucky-style whisky, but rather a counterpoint to the powerful oak-forward character of its southern brethren. Expect this single barrel to deliver a beautifully refined and expressive profile, featuring appealing aromas of toasted vanilla, nougat, and rich caramel. There will inevitably be extreme interest in this rare and unique selection, but if you’re lucky enough to snag one, there’s no question it will be among the best Canada has to offer. This unique single barrel was hand selected by the team at K&L Wine Merchants representing one of the oldest offerings we've ever seen from the distillery and a very special one indeed: the Christmas Eve barrel. It was distilled on December 24th 2017, making it nearly 8 years old.