A couple years ago J.P. Wiser’s and the NHL Alumni Association (NHLAA) got together to bring whisky fans something uniquely Canadian. One time edition Canadian whiskies which are each blended with the aim of containing characteristic links to specific NHLAA members who helped to design the blend.
J.P. Wiser’s Wendel Clark Alumni Whisky is similar to Lot No. 40 (also produced by J.P. Wiser’s) in that it is a Single Grain Rye whisky. In the case of this Alumni Whisky, unmalted rye is used. The spirit is distilled once upon a column still and then distilled a second time on a pot still. The spirit is then aged for 11 years in ex-bourbon barrels. The product has two obvious ties to the character of Wendel Clark, the first is the robust rye grain selected by Wendel himself for this whisky, and the second is the bottling proof 41.6 % alcohol by volume which is the Toronto area code of Maple Leaf Gardens Where Wendel played hockey for much of his career.
Here is a link to my latest review:
Review: J.P. Wiser’s Wendel Clark Alumni Whisky
Please enjoy the review, and stay tuned for my reviews of the newest Alumni releases, Yvan Cournoyer, Mark Messier, and Dave Keon.
Chimo!
Note: As part of the partnership with the NHL Alumni, a potion of the sales are be donated to NHLAA to support their philanthropic causes. This whisky was exclusive to Canada and marketed primarily in Quebec and Ontario.
J.P. Wiser’s Lanny McDonald Alumni Whisky is blended from 3 grains, predominantly corn but with a significant amount of wheat as well as barley. The higher than normal percentage of wheat is apparently an homage to Lanny McDonald’s prairie roots, and the three grains together are said to give the spirit a ‘well rounded’ character in keeping with Lanny’s well rounded play throughout his NHL career. The spirit has been aged 9 years (McDonald wore number 9 on his jersey). Apparently the corn and barley grain spirits were aged in ex-Canadian Whisky oak barrels and the wheat was aged in virgin oak.
A couple years ago J.P. Wiser’s and the NHL Alumni Association (NHLAA) got together to bring whisky fans something uniquely Canadian. Regionally marketed whiskies which were blended with the aim of mimicking characteristics of each region’s favourite Hockey Players.
Golden Stag Rye Whisky is produced by the Sperling Silver Distillery in Regina Saskatchewan. The Distillery began as the Slow Food Brew Pub which produced 6 different varieties of beer, cider and wine. During the production process they found that there was unfiltered by-product left over after every fermentation. So, an application was placed with the Saskatchewan government to build a small micro Distillery so that they could recycle these left overs into distilled spirit. Upon receiving approval, the Sperling Silver Distillery was created.
Wayne Gretzky No 99 Ice Cask Whisky is a Canadian Whisky produced by Wayne Gretzky Estates, who advertise themselves as Niagra’s only Winery, Distillery and Brewery. The new 23,000 square foot facility (a cooperative effort between Andrew Peller (Wines) LTD. and the Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky) was constructed over two years and includes both a winery and a distillery as well as tasting areas and barrel aging cellar.
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