The Good Fifth is an impartial bottler primarily based in Miami, Florida, established in 2019 by Karl Schoen. The corporate primarily focuses on well-aged single malt Scotch whisky but additionally bottles choose American whiskeys. In the summertime of 2025, The Good Fifth launched the second version of their Canongate 15-Yr-Previous Single Barrel American Whiskey. This launch is a part of the model’s “Bottled and Born” sequence, which highlights the historic and ongoing connection between Kentucky and Scotland, significantly via using ex-bourbon barrels for maturing Scotch whisky.
The Canongate expression was distilled at Heaven Hill in 2009. It initially spent three years maturing in Bardstown, Kentucky, earlier than being transferred to the Lowlands of Scotland for an extra 12 years of growing older, bringing the overall maturation interval to fifteen years. In comparison with different Scottish areas, the Lowlands expertise milder, extra steady temperatures averaging between 41 and 59 levels Fahrenheit, accompanied by increased humidity as a consequence of coastal proximity and decrease altitude. These circumstances are likely to gradual the maturation course of and scale back the annual angel’s share to about 1–2%, in comparison with 2–3% in hotter or drier areas like Speyside.
Apparently, the bottle is labeled as “American whiskey” slightly than bourbon. The Good Fifth notes that restricted data is out there concerning the barrels and the particular whiskey used. Naturally, questions come up concerning the components that influenced this labeling selection. After 15 years of maturation, Canongate was bottled at a cask energy of 131.06 proof. Usually, whiskey growing older in Scotland experiences a gradual lower in alcohol content material over time. If Canongate met the authorized requirements of identification for bourbon, it will have entered the barrel at not more than 125 proof. Given the prolonged growing older within the Lowlands, it’s considerably surprising for the cask energy to register above 131 proof if the barrel entry proof was 125.
This has led to hypothesis that the barrel entry proof might have exceeded 125, disqualifying it from bourbon classification however nonetheless becoming the American whiskey class. The Good Fifth states that the barrel entry proof is unknown however considers it cheap that it was above 125 proof. It’s doable for whiskey getting into barrels at 125 proof, spending three years in Kentucky with rising alcohol ranges adopted by 12 years in Scotland with declining ranges, to exit at round 131 proof. Nevertheless, with out detailed information of warehouse circumstances—reminiscent of temperature management or humidity—it stays troublesome to completely assess the maturation dynamics.
Different impartial bottlers would possibly supply different insights into why Canongate is designated as American whiskey slightly than bourbon. For instance, the 2009 Archives Heaven Hill 10-Yr-Previous American Whiskey, additionally distilled at Heaven Hill in 2009 from the flagship mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, and initially aged in Bardstown earlier than relocation to Scotland, used first-fill bourbon barrels as a substitute of recent charred oak barrels. Evaluating this to Canongate’s identified particulars suggests Canongate can also be matured solely in first-fill bourbon barrels together with Heaven Hill’s flagship bourbon mashbill. If that’s the case, regardless of utilizing Heaven Hill’s flagship bourbon mashbill, maturation in used barrels would exclude it from bourbon classification and place it below the American whiskey class. If the whiskey was aged in first-fill bourbon barrels slightly than the brand new charred oak barrels required for bourbon, the dynamics of alcohol content material—each the rise in Kentucky and the next lower throughout growing older—would seemingly differ. Underneath this situation, assuming a barrel entry proof of 125, maturation in first-fill cooperage might assist clarify the comparatively excessive exit proof of 131.06.
One other risk entails one other impartial bottling, Whiskey Dealer 12-Yr Corn Whiskey, additionally distilled in 2009 and aged in each Kentucky and Scotland, distilled from a corn whiskey mashbill and matured in ex-bourbon barrels. It raises the query of whether or not Canongate is likely to be the same product with prolonged Scottish growing older. Maybe Mellow Corn with prolonged growing older in Scotland?
A number of uncertainties stay concerning the nature of this whiskey. The 14-year-old Canongate Single Barrel American Whiskey was reviewed by Drinkhacker in September 2024. Every single barrel bottling is exclusive, and with an extra yr of maturation on this launch, how does it compares to earlier editions?
The Good Fifth Canongate American Whiskey 15 Years Previous Assessment
After greater than 15 years within the barrel, the nostril opens with clear fruit notes of banana taffy and dried apricots. This preliminary fruitiness quickly shifts towards aromas of honey roasted peanut butter and nutmeg. Whereas the nostril is satisfying, it doesn’t attain the depth sometimes anticipated from a Heaven Hill whiskey aged for 15 years, particularly if matured in new charred oak. As an alternative, the lighter aroma factors to influences from the Lowlands of Scotland and sure the utilization of beforehand used barrels.
On the palate, a candy, bready be aware much like blueberry muffins seems instantly. This leads into flavors of white chocolate and gentle cinnamon. Late on the palate, freeze-dried strawberry notes seem, including a fruit character. The mouthfeel is medium in weight, however doesn’t have the thickness typically present in American whiskeys aged for this size of time. The end delivers flavors of pickled ginger and lightweight butterscotch, which fade into dried rose petals and browned pie crust.
Canongate Single Barrel American Whiskey 15 Years Previous is an excellent whiskey that any fanatic would respect having of their assortment. Nevertheless, primarily based on the nosing and tasting, it doesn’t fairly justify the $185 price ticket. The 15-year-old age assertion attracts consideration, however the absence of a bourbon label suggests maturation in used barrels, which considerably impacts oak affect over 15 years—particularly within the Lowlands.
Whereas the whiskey is satisfying, a worth nearer to $130 would higher match the profile. Nonetheless, Canongate is about extra than simply the style. The idea of a Heaven Hill-distilled whiskey aged in Scotland is fascinating and makes for a fantastic dialog piece amongst whiskey followers. For many who worth the story as a lot because the spirit, $185 could also be an inexpensive price.
Evaluating this 15-year expression to the sooner 14-year single barrel, each share honey and peanut butter aromas. The 14-year provided extra floral notes each on the nostril and palate, whereas the 15-year brings extra fruit flavors ahead. Between the 2, I want the 15-year launch.
131.06 proof.
B+/ $185 (700ml)
The Good Fifth Canongate American Whiskey 15 Years Previous
USD185
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