Caribou Crossing is a genuine rarity: a single barrel Canadian whisky, in a category where almost everything is blended. Canadian whisky is traditionally built by marrying whiskies from many barrels to a consistent house profile, so bottling from one individual cask goes against the grain of how the category works. The barrels for Caribou Crossing are hand selected from a reserve of Canadian whiskies, and each one is bottled on its own, which means the character shifts from cask to cask while the strength stays at a consistent 40% ABV, 80 proof. It is imported by the Sazerac Company of Louisville, Kentucky. In the glass it is a warm amber. The nose is soft and inviting, with honey, vanilla and light caramel over gentle oak and a hint of orchard fruit. The palate is smooth and rounded, showing the easy drinking character Canadian whisky is known for, with butterscotch, baked apple and soft baking spice over a light oak frame. The finish is clean, mellow and lightly sweet, with none of the sharpness the style sometimes carries. It works well neat or over ice, and mixes cleanly in a highball or an Old Fashioned. The presentation is a large part of the appeal: a heavy squared decanter finished with blue wax and topped with a gilded caribou figure, which makes it an obvious gift and a bottle people keep on display.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Canada |
| Type |
Canadian Whisky, Single Barrel |
| Age |
No age statement |
| Maturation |
Oak barrels, hand selected single casks |
| Importer |
Sazerac Company, Louisville, Kentucky |
| Presentation |
Blue wax capsule with gilded caribou stopper |
Tasting Notes
Color: Warm amber.
Nose: Honey, vanilla and light caramel over gentle oak with a hint of orchard fruit.
Palate: Smooth and rounded, with butterscotch, baked apple and soft baking spice.
Finish: Clean, mellow and lightly sweet.
FAQ
What makes Caribou Crossing unusual?
It is a single barrel Canadian whisky, which is rare in a category where nearly everything is blended from many barrels.
Does the proof vary between barrels?
No. Every bottling is 40% ABV, 80 proof. What varies from cask to cask is the character rather than the strength.
Who makes it?
It is a Canadian whisky imported by the Sazerac Company of Louisville, Kentucky.
Does it carry an age statement?
No. The barrels are hand selected rather than bottled to a stated age.
How should I serve it?
Neat or over ice, or in a highball or Old Fashioned.
Where can I buy Caribou Crossing online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
