The second release in the Bearface Wilderness Series is titled Mitlenach Island Release and is named after the small, rocky British Columbia Island. “Mitlenach”, is an Indigenous word meaning “calm waters all around”. Today it is designated as a Provincial Nature Park and is also where the sea salt appears to have been sourced before being maple smoked to ultimately produce the water used for proofing down this unique whisky to 42.5%.
Miltenach Island, British Columbia
The core spirit, which is made from corn, is sourced from Georgian Bay, Ontario prior to being transported to BC’s Mission Hill Winery before it undergoes what is referred to as “elemental aging”; maturation of the whisky in hand-selected ex-wine casks that spend time inside repurposed shipping containers exposed to the elements of the Canadian wilderness. This process is not too dissimilar from Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon, which spends time in shipping containers at sea prior to bottling, and is said to influence the outcome of the final product.
As stated by Master Blender Andres Faustinelli, “the result is a rich whisky, with a deep minerality, elemental smokiness and a fresh coastal finish that transports you to the shores of the Canadian Pacific”.
One thing is for certain – this is a very well-travelled whisky with a variety of barrel and environmental factors that are primed to affect its final profile.
SHELF APPEAL RATING (Note: does not count toward final score, out of 5):
APPEARANCE: Clear. Caramel.
NOSE: Campfire marshmallow and caramel produce a s’mores-like initial aroma. Puffed wheat cereal and honey follow and are underscored by the presence of heavy char.
PALATE: Medium sweetness and viscosity provide a sweet, gently coating mouthfeel. Golden honey, wheat and char fuse to create a Honey Shreddies-like essence which is accentuated with cinnamon and oak.
FINISH: Oak, cold brew coffee, and caramel provide a medium-long, warming and pleasant finish. Lingering caramel sweetness coats the throat and is the last to gently fade.
ABV: 42.5%
PRICE: $59.99 CAD
AGE: NAS
CASK(S): French oak ex-Chardonnay, Alligator-charred ex-Burgundy casks
ENJOY: Neat, with a large ice cube or sphere, or in a cocktail.
RATING:
Conclusions
After all is said and done, the Bearface Wilderness Series 02 Miltenach Island Release is a well-travelled, heavily barrel-influenced whisky.
Of the 4 Bearface releases to date (Triple Oak, One Eleven, Matusake and Miltenach Island), this one delivers as the most well-rounded. Of the previous, the Triple Oak had a slight pencil eraser note on the finish. The One Eleven had a slightly acrid note brought on the added pinch of mezcal smoke, and the Matsutake was a touch too savory/rancio for our liking.
The Miltenach appears to be where Master Blender Andrés Faustinelli’s seemingly tireless experimentation has really hit its stride, as there is nothing that stands out as a detractor from being an excellent Canadian whisky. It’s profile is medium sweet – which for some may be a touch too sweet, but that simply boils down to personal preference. At 42.5%, it thankfully drinks a pinch hotter than its official abv, which compliments its wonderful complexity.
The mad scientist has done it ladies and gentlemen!
…And For Those So Inclined: A Recommended Cigar Pairing
Pair the Bearface Wilderness Series 02 Miltenach Island Release with the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story cigar.
The impetus for this pairing was the medium-sweet profile of the whisky with the sweet characteristics of the luxurious Cameroon wrapper that cloaks the perfecto-shaped Fuente masterpiece. Hailed for its sweeter profile and lovely aromatics, Cameroon-grown tobacco is a staple for many acclaimed Fuente cigars.
The addition of the cigar quickly amplified the honeyed profile of the whisky, and also brought cinnamon to the forefront as opposed to camping out in the background as it did while sipping the whisky on its own. The slight earthy notes from the cigar compliment the fine savory character of the whisky.
– Kurt Bradley
Reviewed August 30th, 2023
Kurt Bradley is the founder of The Gentleman’s Flavor, to which he is also a contributing editor, host and curator.
Kurt is a certified Whisky Ambassador accredited by The Scotch Whisky Association and has achieved Level 2 Award in Wine & Spirits Education Trust with distinction.
He lives in Toronto, Ontario.
