By Richard Thomas
Ranking: A-
(Credit score: Cooper Spirits)
Because it has been years since I final wrote in regards to the model, a quick background abstract of Lock, Inventory and Barrel is known as for. The model is owned by Cooper Spirits, an organization based in 2006. Cooper Spirits is an impartial bottler, reliant upon sourced spirits, however realizing their basis date marks them as something however a Johnny-Come-These days impressed to money in on the Bourbon Growth. Some Cooper Spirits merchandise had been already established and in circulation earlier than I formally started writing about whiskey 15 years in the past. The Lock, Inventory and Barrel model relies squarely on imported shares of Canadian rye from Alberta Distillers. Traditionally this has taken the type of batches of annual and restricted version releases starting from 13 to 21 years previous (in 2017, we reviewed an 18 12 months Previous from Lock, Inventory and Barrel and earlier than that their 16 12 months Previous), however they just lately put out a flagship Vatted Rye that’s meant for normal launch. I’ll be reviewing that new flagship rye instantly.
The stats behind Lock, Inventory and Barrel 21 Years Previous Rye 2025 point out that it’s a 100% rye, distilled in 1999 in copper pots. Protecting the distillation season in thoughts, it’s a superb guess that this whiskey was dumped and transferred to stainless-steel casks or tanks at upon surpassing 21 years by a sure margin, as a result of if the youngest whiskey used had been considerably older than 21 years previous, that’s the quantity they might use. Simple math tells us that these things can be 26 years previous if it had been in wooden since 2020. The whiskey has been bottled at 55.5% ABV (111 proof).
The Whiskey
My pour took on a lightweight amber coloring within the glass. The nostril led in a approach that advised me it was fairly musty proper off the bat. Shifting previous that, the scent was like a cross between pumpernickel bread and a cinnamon graham cracker. Lastly, after one grows accustomed to the prevailing mustiness, a dulled be aware of caramel arose.
A sip revealed a lightweight, however oily texture to the whiskey. The flavour parts come collectively extra cohesively on the palate than the nostril, bringing cinnamon and anise, brown sugar, chopped coconut and a pinch of cracked peppercorns. The end rolls off that final be aware, working peppery in the principle.
The Value
A bottle of this ultra-aged Canadian-sourced rye will set you again $499.99.
