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I  attended a whisky seminar at which I was able to sample three distillates produced from three different grains. The first was made from rye grain like a true Canadian whisky, the second was made from malted barley like a scotch, and the third was made from corn, like bourbon. These three whiskies had amazing flavours, each with their own distinct characteristics and all possessing endless blending and aging possibilities.
   
All three were skillfully crafted by John K. Hall, owner and first-generation whisky maker of the award-winning Forty Creek whisky. Hall, a wine maker by trade for over 20 years, was looking for a new challenge: he set out to create a Canadian whisky that would capture the heritage of small-batch Canadian whiskies made years ago.
   
Hall has stated that his five key ingredients are great grains, great stills, great barrels, patience and passion. Forty Creek Barrel Select is the cornerstone of Forty Creek. Hall uses rye, barley and corn, all distilled and aged separately. He then blends them together, and the final aging is done in sherry oak casks. This gives Barrel Select its smooth, balanced flavour.
   
Hall’s expertise as an accomplished wine maker and whisky maker are evident in the finished whisky, as he uses small copper pot stills and the best oak barrels, toasted to his standards to bring out certain flavours from the distillates. The copper pot stills maintain alcohol levels while capturing the flavours. This allows Hall to create more outstanding award winning whiskies.
   
Forty Creek has three other award-winning products available in Manitoba, including Confederation Oak, Double Barrel Reserve and Hall’s latest whisky, John’s Private Cask No. 1, for which he has chosen 23 outstanding barrels to create a limited release of 9,000 individually numbered bottles, available only in Canada.
   
Hall’s innovative whisky-making style —  along with his pure passion — has my palate anticipating John’s next work of art. These whiskies are for those who like to enjoy the finer things in life. Hall is a proud Canadian, giving new life to our proud whisky heritage; if it comes from Forty Creek, you can be assured it’s of the highest quality. For more info visit fortycreekwhisky.com.
   

Rick is the Product Consultant at the Portage & Burnell Liquor Mart.