Glen Breton Rare 14 Year Old Single Malt Canadian Whisky (700ml)

Bruce Jardine was a local businessman not afraid to think outside the box. After envisioning the concept for a whisky distillery in Cape Breton he traveled to Scotland and sourced out the needed equipment. While there, Jardine acquired a pair of copper pot stills that were hammered out by A. Forsyth & Sons of Rothes, a mash tun and 3 wooden washbacks. As water is a key ingredient in the making of whisky, Bruce and his team researched and sourced out a site at the base of Glenora falls but finally opted for a site further down MacLellan’s Brook, set in an apple orchard amongst a natural stand of maple trees.

Shortly after the construction of the distillery, the nine room inn, the original warehouse, and the erection of the distillation equipment, production began in 1990 yielding a miniscule 20 barrels. Three years later, after aging in oak barrels, the spirit could technically be referred to as North America’s first Single Malt Whisky.

Considering single malt whisky typically matures in the warehouse for at least eight years, cash flow can become a burden. As Glenora continued to be financially stressed it again was forced into receivership after three more years. Then, in 1994, Glenora and its maturing whisky was once again saved from financial downfall. The new and present group is led by Lauchie MacLean, another Bedford businessman.

To add to the struggle, the company's Single Malt Whisky, known as 'Glen Breton', has been the focus of a legal dispute with the Scotch Malt Whisky Association over the use of the name "Glen". Not distracted from their main cause, Glenora has pushed on regardless. In the midst of all these adversities, Glen Breton has been named as one of the 50 top spirits worldwide by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and was awarded a Gold Medal at the '2011 International Review of Spirits' held in Chicago.

A very small allocation of the 14 Year Old has just arrived. Highly recommended by Jim Murray.

Other reviews... What is there not to enjoy? Some exceptionally good casks involved here. 92 points
- Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2016

The warehouses at Glenora are not heated, so aging virtually stops in winter. Thus, the whisky doesn’t reach its peak until its mid-teens. By then, it is malty, fresh, crisp, and grassy, with hints of vanilla and delicate, slightly bitter fruits, including apricots and citrus pith. Fragile floral notes join exotic hints of mango and a nuttiness reminiscent of almond skins and sweetened coconut. Air do dheag slàinte, Glenora, as they say in Cape Breton’s Gaelic Highlands. 85 points
- www.maltadvocate.com, (Fall 2015) Reviewed by: Davin de Kergommeaux