Lohin McKinnon Craft Whisky. Remember that name. It is going to set a new benchmark for Canadian craft Whisky.

This Whisky is what happens when a brewer and a distiller (both of whom understand the science of what they are doing) start collaborating. I really cannot emphasize this point enough. The craft distilling movement in Canada has seen far too many people rush in with zero scientific knowledge. What’s more – there seems to be a reluctance to learn at a deeper level. As I stress in my recently released 3rd edition of Field to Flask, the craft movement will remain stuck in neutral until some better products are released based on a deeper grasp of the underlying science. I find it hard these days to contain my laughter when I see craft distillers adding wood cubes and burnt sticks to make their fresh-off-the-still product turn brown. This is what I bluntly refer to as piss in a bottle.

Lohin McKinnon Whisky has been aged for about 4 years (as near as my simple math tells me) and it is starting to show good signs of body, texture and subtle, elegant flavors. As I note at the outset, this product is going to set the benchmark for craft Whisky. Those that cannot aspire to this level of performance will perish into the mists of failure. And so it should be.

I am a bit disappointed to see it being released so soon because it will only get more excellent as it continues to rest in the cask. I do hope their plan is to leave the bulk of it age longer. Try it now for sure (you will be impressed), but give this product a few more years in the cask and it will be a highly sought-after prize by serious Whisky connoisseurs in Canada. I have now added this Whisky to the tasting lineup in our 5 Day Distilling Workshops