Meet J.P. Wiser’s 42-Year-Old: A new milestone in Canadian whisky excellence
The 1980s was a decade of industrial ambition. An era that built skysrapers, the internet and age statement whiskies. It also saw the birth of the Wiser’s Decades Series, a milestone moment in Canadian whisky.
In 1982, Wiser’s distillery workers in Ontario produced a spirit destined to become a whisky to remember. It would wait until almost a quarter of the way through the next century before being unveiled as one of the longest-aged Canadian whiskies ever made, when it was finally bottled at 42 years old.
Enter J.P. Wiser’s 42-Year-Old, the pinnacle and first arrival in Wiser’s Decades Series, a new line of whiskies distilled in the 1980s, ’90’s and 2000s. The series is a commitment to Wiser’s heritage, innovation and excellence — not to mention patience. (A 24- and 28-year-old edition are upcoming.)
Canada has evolved a lot from the youthful country it was in 1982. And the spirit Wiser’s created that year has also evolved during its long maturation, into one of the most unique and exciting whiskies in Canadian history. Now, at last, it’s available for you to try.
One of Canada’s oldest whisky-makers produces its oldest whisky ever
Canada’s whisky tradition was already well established by 1982 — in large part thanks to J.P. Wiser’s, one of the country’s oldest and most beloved whisky brands. Its namesake co-founded the company in 1857 And the beginnings were humble – John Philip Wiser only made whisky so he could feed the spent grain to his horses, little did he know it would become a leading brand in Canada.
By the 1980s, Wiser’s was a major brand reaching for even loftier heights. Production was scaling up as Wiser’s moved to the Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario, where whisky-making had been taking place since 1858 (three-quarters of all Canadian whisky is made there today).
In 1982, some distillers had doubts about the future of Canadian whisky as they battled a sales depression (which caused some producers to scale back production). But J.P. Wiser’s had faith that admirers of great whisky would recognize the excellence of Canada’s best. And they put that faith into action by putting aside some of their highest-quality liquid to let it mature into something truly remarkable.
J.P. Wiser said, “Quality is something you just can’t rush. Horses should hurry, but whisky must take its time.” How right he was.
1982-2024: How the spirit matured
The new whisky produced back in 1982 was 90 per cent double column distilled grain whisky and 10 per cent single column produced rye. There was nothing unusual there: These were pretty typical, tried-and-true beginnings for a Canadian whisky. But this spirit was destined for greatness thanks to an unusual and special maturation.
First, the sheer length of it is unique. Not many Canadian whiskies have been aged for decades and decades. Wiser’s was doing something long overdue: creating an opportunity to showcase how the greatness of Canadian whisky can reveal itself in a high-aged expression — creating a whisky that’s both ready for the world stage and a source of pride here at home.
Second, the whisky is aged in Canadian oak barrels, ex-bourbon casks and Speyside single malt casks — a recipe for complexity and depth of flavour.
Third, the distillery and aging warehouses stand near the banks of the Detroit River, where climate conditions — the hot, humid summers and cold winters that the Great Lakes region is known for — bring out unique flavours in whisky as it ages.
And why 42 years? That’s where Wiser’s master blender Don Livermore found the “sweet spot,” where the aromas — the fruit imparted by the ex-bourbon casks, the orange and honey from the Speyside malt casks, and the green apple note of the spirit itself — are all at their peak.
Tasting notes for a great Canadian whisky
J.P. Wiser’s 42-Year-Old pours the glistening colour of a gold nugget.
As you bring it to your nose, pause and take in the complexity of aromas. Look for green apple, crème brûlée, vintage oak, orange tea, sourdough and dried red fruits. With a sip, the flavours move on to dark cherry, English toffee, oak, roasted nuts, marble rye and nutmeg — with a subtle and luxurious hint of leather.
This is a full-bodied, powerful whisky at 52 per cent ABV, but it finishes long and smooth, with a lingering cinnamon note.
A whisky to mark your great moments
Every sip of J.P. Wiser’s 42-Year-Old is memorable. Trying a whisky this rare and special is always an occasion to remember in itself.
Over the past 42 years, Canadians have travelled to space, taken the music world by storm, and become a lot better at international sports than we used to be (except for hockey — we were always good at that). And over that time, we’ve also worked hard to produce whiskies that can go toe-to-toe with anything else in the world, strengthening the global reputation for quality that great Canadian whisky has always deserved. Perhaps the true destiny of J.P. Wiser’s 42-Year-Old is to be there for lovers of quality whisky as they celebrate their own memorable moments. A whisky like this is worthy of marking the important milestones in your own history.
Want to purchase J.P. Wiser’s 42-Year-Old? It’s available.