Canadian Club Chronicles Series Whiskies Reviewed

Thanks to the Canadian Club Chronicles Series, being able to source and enjoy a whisky that’s been aged for four decades or more is a still a relatively affordable experience for Canadians.

In comparison to single malt releases from Scotland, or those crafted in the other major (reputable) international whisky distilling nations such as the USA, Japan or Ireland, long-in-the-tooth Canadian whiskies are known to be nabbed at relatively reasonable prices.

Whereas a bottle of 40 year old Glenlivet Single Malt can be found in Canada for approximately $7, 500 CAD (roughly $5, 500 USD), the Canadian Club Chronicles Series 40 Year Old Whisky was first released to the public for a manageable sum of around $300 CAD (now sold out, it currently can be found on the secondary market for upwards of 700 bucks).

Sampling, assessing and rating these delicious relics was a tough job, but thankfully, we were up for the challenge

The Canadian Club Chronicles Series are the oldest whiskies ever released by the historic brand.

Drawn from an original batch of whisky distilled all the way back in 1977, Chronicles was released in part to commemorate Canada’s 150th Anniversary.

With the exception of the 40 year, all have been assigned a nickname associated with the prohibition-era activities stemming from the Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

All have experienced a long maturation period in American oak (ex-Bourbon) barrels.

As it stands, the Canadian Club Chronicles 45 is the oldest Canadian whisky ever bottled for retail sale

Under the Chronicles Series to date, Canadian Club has released 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 Year expressions, and although the brand chose not to issue 46-49 year old whiskies, according to Canadian Club Brand Ambassador Mike McLean, they will be releasing a (much anticipated) 50 year old whisky under the Chronicles banner in the year 2027.

NOTE: Technically, the 40 does not have the word Chronicles in its title. All whiskies but the 45 Year have been released at an abv of 45%(the 45 Year is 50%).

The following are our detailed flavor findings of the entire line (thus far). Currently, there’s scattered reviews to be found on the net, but nothing in terms of a proper analysis of each release compiled together – until now.

To reach a verdict, we’ve meticulously analyzed each release on the basis of the quality of its nose (aroma), palate, and finish, and then applied a final score.

The scores shown are the average number from the final scores awarded from a total of 4 judges (all of whom are “seasoned” whisky drinkers).

THE 9.09% RULE: Under the laws of Canadian whisky, a distiller can add up to 9.09% (or one part in eleven) of other another spirit or wine (aged at least two years in oak) and coloring to their base whisky or whisky blend (aged for a minimum of three years) without it affecting the product’s designation or age statement. This practice is sometimes called the “One-Eleven Rule”. Though some contend that this rule can fuel creativity in blending and flavor innovation, it also tends to spark debates among purists regarding authenticity and transparency. Though not all Chronicles releases have exercised this option, some have, and as a result we’ve included information about this within the footnotes of each release.

Canadian Club 40 Year
45% ABV | 90 Proof

(100% corn whisky)

NOSE: Aromas of oak, baking spices and honey leap out first. Powdery vanilla mingles with faint cinnamon before Horchata spice joins in.

PALATE: Sharp oak note dominates, but is accompanied by ample burnt brown sugar, Christmas spices, dried dark fruits, and a pinch of cold coffee.

FINISH: Medium-long with oak and residual baking spices.

THE TAKEAWAY: The most oak-forward release within the series and one of only two that have not been blended with additional liquid(s). This was the first release in 2017 and technically does not feature the word ‘Chronicles’ on the bottle.

With barrel-heavy influence and an at times bitter profile, you can really taste its old age here, and start to see why the blending in of other liquids via the 9.09% rule may smooth out the tannic oak influence and succeed in creating a much more balanced, finished product.

Canadian Club Chronicles 41 Year, aka, ‘The Water of Windsor’
45% ABV | 90 Proof

(~91+% corn whisky with Cognac, rye & sherry)

NOSE: Elements of apricot, oak char, and Mandarin orange are most prevalent, and are quickly underscored by notes of dill.

PALATE: A robust palate delivers baking spices and toasted oak accompanied by sharp, earthy ginger beer with subtle notes of Christmas cake.

FINISH: Medium-long with cinnamon, peaches and creamed corn and orange pith.

THE TAKEAWAY: Though this release received our lowest score in the series, it still managed to garner a solid 90 – an impressive score, nonetheless. This golden-colored release was brimming with winter baking spices and maintained a balanced profile that wasn’t too oak-dominant.

Canadian Club Chronicles 42 Year aka, ‘The Dockman’
45% ABV | 90 Proof

(~91+% corn whisky with rye & brandy)

NOSE: Concord grape and golden Sultana raisins jive with notes of sweet honeysuckle, powdery vanilla, oak, and sticky corn syrup.

PALATE: An elegant mouthfeel delivers dark honey and rye, which are complimented by toasted oak, sponge toffee, melon, fizzy Rockets candy and a subtle touch of black pepper with Maraschino cherry liqueur.

FINISH: A long finish is complete with cinnamon, sponge toffee, creamy mocha coffee and restrained oak.

THE TAKEAWAY: The 42 delivers a more robust nose and taste profile than the lighter color of the liquid would suggest. It essentially pulls a “complexity sneak attack” of sorts on you, as its deceiving bright color leads you to think that it might be overly fresh and bright or dare we say, “thin”. Thin it is not. Also called ‘The Dock Man’ this release pays homage to the famous bootlegging Hiram Walker Distillery dock men who “consistently delivered quality whisky to bar owners and drinkers when counterfeit whisky ran rampant during the Prohibition era”.

The addition of sherry and pot distilled rye to the over-four-decades-old corn base whisky results in a deliciously elegant, complex whisky.

Canadian Club Chronicles 43 Year, aka, ‘The Speakeasy’
45% ABV | 90 Proof

(~91+% corn whisky with rye)

NOSE: Notes of Werther’s butterscotch candies are soon joined by creamy cream soda, a pop of cinnamon, and oak.

PALATE: Elegant notes of rye and oak are most prominent, and are buttressed by sumptuous dark chocolate, tantalizing mocha and the perfect amount of smoke that is akin to a rich, smoked porter beer.

FINISH: A long, luxurious finish completes this elevated experience with residual mocha, eucalyptus candies and a final bite of rye.

THE TAKEAWAY: The 43 is also known as “The Speakeasy” and was the overall winner of the 2021 Canadian Whisky Awards. Though its nose isn’t super telling, the palate is a full-blown symphony of flavor. Nothing overpowering or unbalanced. Rather everything works together to form a simply wonderful cohesive whole.

Canadian Club Chronicles 44 Year, aka, ‘The Whisky Sixes’
45% ABV | 90 Proof

(~91+% corn whisky with rye & sherry)

NOSE: The nose on the 44 is simply otherworldly, delivering an immediate rich, nostril-filling combination of red & black stewed plums, cinnamon and notes of freshly-picked dill. Crumbly Christmas cake follows up alongside the essence of a musty single malt Scotch.

PALATE: A voluminous mouthfeel ushers in layers of rich, chewy black forest cake, coupled with oak char, baking spices, robust dark-roasted coffee and subtle cacao nibs.

FINISH: Pure staying power. A full, five-count long and decadent finish closes out this thrill ride experience with dark field berries, sarsaparilla-rich root beer, a precise hint of oak, and lingering spices.

THE TAKEAWAY: In our opinion, this is the best in show. The 44 has the most unmistakably complex and sophisticated profile, with all of its detectable notes perfectly complimenting each other. There is a slight element within this whisky that hearkens a Scotch, but make no mistake, this is a powerhouse Canadian whisky and the second-oldest ever released by the iconic brand. Given its age, oak notes definitely play a role, but are hardly overbearing, and instead only add to what amounts to one of the best Canadian whisky experiences we’ve had to date – yes, you heard us correctly.

Also called ‘The Whisky Sixes’, it pays homage to the prohibition-era bootleggers who used to carry whisky across the frozen Detroit river to the USA. At the time of writing, select Canadian retailers still have this bottle for sale at a reasonable price, mostly located in the province of Alberta.

Canadian Club Chronicles 45 Year, aka, ‘The Icon’
50% ABV | 90 Proof

(100% corn whisky)

NOSE: Initial impressions on the nose are redolent of a Jamaican rum. This is soon accompanied by clementines, saddle leather, bitter dark chocolate, Concord grape juice and a hint of menthol.

PALATE: An elegant mouthfeel delivers sponge toffee married with oak char, baking spices and dark chocolate.

FINISH: A long finish leaves residual chocolate coupled with prominent baking spices and tannic oak.

THE TAKEAWAY: The 45 is also called ‘The Icon’. It is similar to the 40 in the fact that it has not been adulterated with any other liquid(s). Despite being a full five years older, it surprisingly does not appear as oak-dominant as the 40. Tannic oak bitterness is prominent nonetheless, but still manages to possess a slight element of sweetness in a concerted effort to maintain balance.

The fifth release in the series, it is currently the oldest Canadian whisky ever bottled and sold in Canada and will likely remain the oldest until the 50 is finally released in 2027.

And So…

It’s no secret that as a whisky spends up to a lengthy 40+ years of maturation in an American oak barrel (or any oak for that matter) it will increasingly taste like the wood vessel in which it was housed.

At times, this can result in an overbearing bitter tannic wood profile that may overpower those other delightful notes we seek to enjoy.

After spending a significant amount of time reviewing and investigating into the background story of all 6 releases, we’ve arrived at the conclusion that this may be one of the most appropriate implementations of the Canadian 9.09% rule to date.

Simply put, a pinch of a more youthful whisky or another aged spirit or wine seems to work wonders to seriously smooth out that oak bite and create a more well-rounded whisky in your glass.

Of course, there’s many a purist out there who may vehemently disagree and are certainly entitled to do so. After all, the 45 Year was our third favorite of the bunch, and it is simply comprised of nothing more than unadulterated 45 year Canadian old corn whisky.

Consider what Canadian whisky Writer Blair Phillips has to say about the 9.09% rule: “Look at Scotch, the epitome of “whisky righteousness”, yet they still rejuvenate barrels with raw sherry, which soaks into the wood and tsunamis into the whisky. What’s the difference between this and adding the sherry directly based on regulated amounts? It’s a double-standard”.

We tend to agree.

We hope you find this compiled Canadian Club Chronicles Series review helpful if you’re deciding on grabbing a bottle (or all 6) yourself to see how they rank according to your tastes.

At the time of writing, some are still available through conventional retail channels and others will have to be obtained from secondary sources.

Of course, don’t forget to put aside some change for that illustrious 50 Year, due to come out in 2027 (thanks for the confirmation, Mike).

Placed in order of our favorite to least favorite (which was still pretty awesome nonetheless), the following is our official Canadian Club Chronicles Series standings.