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whiskey glasses

The "Post Cinco de Mayo"
Bourbon Bonanza

On Tuesday May 8, 2001 we went south of the border to check out potables from below the Mason-Dixon line. In total, eight examples of the American distillers' craft were sampled and rated.

Although the whiskies ranged in flavour from the mild, smooth Blanton's to the sweet, full Old Weller, and the intense firery Booker's; the results came out pretty well the same. A mere two points separated the top rated from the last. Whether this is due to a mythical Canadian hesitancy to offend or damn fine American whisky is not certain. One thing that is indisputable is the price difference between some of the similarly rated bourbons. A strong case could be made for trying or buying on the basis of price alone.

Prices listed below are the pre-tax wholesale prices from the LCBO, in the stores they would go for 10 to 15% more.

Nose
Body
Palate
Finish
Likability
Total
Rank

out of 4
out of 4
out of 6
out of 8
out of 8
out of 30

Baker's
$56.42 750 mL.
3.0
3.0
5.0
6.0
6.0
23.0
1

Elijah Craig
$37.59 750 mL
3.0
3.0
5.0
6.0
6.0
23.0
1

Rowan's Creek
$62.94 750 mL
3.0
3.0
5.0
6.0
6.0
23.0
1

Booker's
$71.38 750 mL
3.3
3.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
22.8
4

Evan Williams
$50.15 750 mL
3.0
3.0
5.0
5.3
6.0
22.3
5

Old Weller
$39.46 750 mL
3.0
3.0
4.3
6.0
6.0
22.3
5

Old Rip Van Winkle
$37.90 750 mL
3.0
3.0
4.0
6.0
5.5
21.5
7

Blanton's Special Reserve
$35.54 750 mL
3.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
21.0
8
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