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Episode 14: Lot 40 Cask Strength vs Masterson's 10 yr American Oak

What a lovely way to finish off my Canadian Rye head to head comparisons. Today I pour a dram of Masterson’s 10 year straight rye and Lot 40 12 year Cask Strength. These are two amazing whiskies and if you are looking for a great rye, either is a solid choice. Here are my thoughts from today’s tasting.

Masterson’s 10 year is distilled and aged by Alberta Distillers in Calgary, Alberta. I was not able to find out if the rye is unmalted, malted or some percentage of each. I do know it is 100 % rye and that it was aged for 10 years in new American Oak. That is an important detail. It turns out Masterson’s released a 10-year straight rye aged in Hungarian Oak, French Oak, and American Oak. I have only sampled the American Oak, but others who have tried each have agreed the American Oak is the best. Price in my area reflects that too with the Hungarian or French around $110.00 and the American Oak has jumped up to $173.00! The batch I am trying today is PSA3.

On the nose this is light, floral, and gently sweet. The sweetness reminds me of a prairie field in bloom. Tasting this is a delight too. The sweetness is youthful, with vanilla and only light caramel. Spice is present, and warms up with time. The finish is lengthy, with the oak and baking spices taking over. It is warm but not over powering. From nose to finish this whisky delights and welcomes deeper study.

Moving on to Lot 40 12-year-old cask strength rye. This is bottled at 55% and if you have read anything about their cask strength before now, it’s all true. This is a great rye. Like the other bottle today, I could not find out if this is all unmalted rye or if they used a bit of malted rye to get the fermentation going. After working their magic through column then pot still, Hiram-Walker let this beauty rest for 12 years in new American oak barrels.

The nose on Lot 40 cask strength is a work of art. It is immediately rich with dark fruits yet floral and sweet. Spending time breathing deep you can pick up caramel and oak notes too. I think I could spend an evening just breathing this in and there is no warning that the liquid is at 55%. Taking a sip, I taste caramel, the sweetness from pears or plums, and quickly notice the spice on the edges of my tongue. A few sips in the spice is strong but still balanced by oak.  It has a gentle coating mouth feel when drinking, but the finish moves toward drying. On the finish the wood notes come up, a bit of smoke too, and the fruit comes back remind you to take another sip.

I’m sure you can tell from my writing that I enjoy both of these bottles. This has been a year long journey into Rye, and for 2017 these are my two favourites. If I had to choose, the Lot 40 Cask Strength is just wonderful. From the nose through to the finish this is a full, rich, enveloping drink. Try it at cask strength, then try it with some water to discover new notes. At $70.00 this is the best Canadian Rye on the shelves and it will not stay there!

Masterson’s 10 year American Oak (PSA3) Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
Lot 40 12 year Cask Strength Rye Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮ (My pick tonight!)

Video review Link: https://youtu.be/oRp2CC3FS6U

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