Any many of my followers know, my blog, up to now, has been about everything single malt, the history of Scotland and the origins of whiskey making from the old world.
Today is a little different.
Last night I attended a concert from one of my favourite artists, Allan Doyle. Allan is a passionate Newfoundlander who has been an amazing ambassador for promoting my culture, and the province I call home. The concert inspired me to dig out this dram and put a shameless plug in for a beauty of a distillery, and a really nice whisky.
Newfoundland Whiskey – 43% ABV
Before I dig into the liquid, I wanted to explain a couple of the things that make this whiskey special. For anyone that knows much about Newfoundland culture, they would probably know that we have a long, complex and very interesting history with alcohol. Not only is it the oldest settlement of former Europeans in North America, it is also perfectly situated along historical trade routes that allowed goods to flow back and forth across the Atlantic. Until 1949, it was also an independent colony.
As much as we love our drink in Newfoundland, and how we have played such an important role in the trade of spirits (mostly Jamaican rum), we haven’t really made a lot in the province. But that is changing. There are a few really great distilleries that I am proud to call home grown, but none more than The Newfoundland Distillery out of Clarkes Beach.
In fact, Newfoundland Whisky is the first ever whisky fully crafted, distilled and barrel-aged in Newfoundland and Labrador! It took us 500 years, but good things take time.
It also ensures that Canada now has a craft whiskey from every province.
It’s not a single malt (they have a single malt coming out next year!)
It’s triple-distilled, made from a mixture of malted and un-malted barley, and has been aged in a mixture of virgin oak and ex-bourbon barrels for a minimum of three years on the shores of Conception Bay. It’s a whisky that has a fine body, lovely texture, hints of oak, butter scotch, almond, leather and green apple for a rounded perfectly balanced finish. It’s bright and also has an in-definable east coast character about it. It’s surprisingly light on salt, almost undetectable.
The green label sits proudly with my whiskey collection, with the gold lettering catching the mid day sun. Makes me think of Conception Bay reflecting the sun on a beautiful summer day. Its simple, not too strong, but quietly confident in its presentation on the palette and nose.
The Newfoundland Distillery crafts a variety of spirits and offering shipping to most destinations in Canada. If you are looking for a unique gift idea for a loved one, or just looking to add a unique dram to your collection (whiskey, rum, vodka, aquavit, or many others), then check out these guys and I am sure you will be happy. www.thenewfoundlanddistillery.com .
I am extremely proud of Peter the Master Distiller, and the entire crew of the Newfoundland Distillery that made this happen, and certainly look forward to the single malt coming next year!