LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2019

WHISKIES OF WINDSOR

THE CANADIANWHISKY FLAVOURWHEEL

Acrolein

Peppery Vinegar, dill pickle

Musty, beets

Earthy, dirt

Struck match, meaty

potato, corn

Onion, garlic Vegetable, cauliflower, potato, corn

Vegetable, cauliflower,

Wort, malty, cereal

Yeasty, rotten egg

Smoky, peat, bacon

Mild wax, creamy

Dr. Don Livermore is reinventing the (whisky) wheel

Vegetable, cauliflower, potato, corn

Sweet soap, waxy clean

Sweet rose, lilac, honey, lavender

Spicy, clove

Early bird  Caffeine-start the day at one of two local Anchor Coffee House locations inWindsor. Take awalk  Windsor’s Waterfront Trail passes through downtown, parks and under the Ambassador Bridge. Grab lunch  A pie from Vito’s Pizzeria in Walkerville or pub food at The Thompson House are what the doctor orders. Live it up  After a concert or dinner at Spago’s in the glam Caesars Windsor complex, have a nitecap at The Foundry gastropub. The Corby master blender behind many Windsor whiskies (and the holder of one of the world’s few doctorates in distilling) has traced Canadian whisky flavours back to three key sources: grain, yeast and the wood barrels in which its aged. For instance, if you enjoy caramel and nut flavours and smells, his wheel points you to whisky made from barley. Give it a spin the next time you sip! Here are his tastes of Windsor.

SOUR

SPOILAGE

Spicy, smoky, clove

Fragrant, roses, violets

SULFUR

MALT

Spicy, smoky, savory

SOAPY

Apricot, sweet apple

CORN

Spicy, leathery, vanilla

FLORAL

Pear, pineapple

RYE

Spicy, smoky, bacon

Banana

GRAIN

Green apple

FRUITY

BARLEY

YEAST

Grassy, citrus, vegetable, wood

Winey

WHEAT

WOOD

Yeasty, solvent, oily

Bready, cereal, yeast

GREEN

Alcoholic, pear oil, apple

GRASS

Sweet, bread, dried fruits, almond

Grassy, citrus, vegetable, wood

AGE

CASK

FINISH

Buttery

Ripe fruit, fresh

Caramel, sweet, burnt

ecips gnikab ,ragus nworB

Green, hay, pungent

Caramel, maple

Ripe fruit, fresh

Cotton candy

Sweet, creamy, custard cola

Green apple

Winey, furfural, spicy

Spicy, smoky, savory

For an expanded and more reader-friendly version of the Canadian whisky flavour wheel, visit jpwisers.com/whisky-wheel.

Winey, furfural, sweet

Spicy, clove Spicy, leathery, vanilla

Dried fruits, raisins

Peaty, nutty Fruits, pear oil, cognac

Roasted peanut Coconut, hazelnut, almond

Gooderham&Worts CanadianWhisky LCBO 428417, $45.45 This powerhouse blend of corn, wheat, barley and rye whiskies has a rich nose of husk and grain and a deep golden colour, with robust toffee, vanilla and toast flavour notes. Circa 1860, G&W—once Canada’s largest distillery—was located in what’s now Toronto’s Distillery District. Drink it as you would a favourite Scotch.

Pike Creek Double Barreled Canadian Whisky LCBO 482612, $34.95 Named for a Windsor-area waterway, this 10-year-old whisky spends some time in former rum barrels, acquiring a gorgeous auburn colour and mellow brown sugar and dried fruit flavours. The buttery mouth-warming texture and spicy finish spin this spirit into a unique Old Fashioned.

PORTRAIT OF DR. DON LIVERMORE BY STACEY BRANDFORD; WHISKY WHEEL: © 2017 HIRAM WALKER & SONS LIMITED

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AUTUMN 2019 FOOD & DRINK