Like its 18 Year Old predecessor release, this Canadian whisky by Calgary, Alberta’s Great Plains Craft Spirits doesn’t quite know what to call itself by (the words on the front of the bottle feature a super-long, run-on title that altogether reads, “Great Plains Craft Spirits Canadian Extra Special Cask Finished Whisky Matured 22 Years in Barrel Including Finish of 60 Long Months in Cognac Casks.”

It features a 17-year-old, 100% corn whisky sourced from the now-defunct Old Potter’s Distillery in Kelowna, British Columbia, that’s been custom finished by Great Plains for “60 Long Months” in select vintage ex-Cognac casks.

Bottled at cask strength of 58% and un-chill filtered with no coloring, at the time of writing, this release can be purchased from select liquor stores located in Alberta.

SHELF APPEAL RATING (Note: does not count toward final rating, out of 5): 

APPEARANCE: Clear. Golden honey.

NOSE: Bright and decadent. Canned peaches syrup mingles with praline; an essence of cotton candy takes shape along with lemon merengue pie with a thick, foamy top layer. 

PALATE: Mouth coating and syrupy. Layers of English sponge toffee, oak, and canned peaches syrup segue into rich tones of powdery vanilla and cinnamon.

FINISH: Long with medium sweetness. The finish delivers an interplay of spicy chili flakes, oak, and a honey sweetness that clings to the roof of the mouth and refuses to dissipate. 

ABV: 58% 

AGE: 22 years

CASK(S): Ex-bourbon, ex-Cognac

ENJOY: Neat or with a little water. 

RATING:

Where peers at this proof can feel combative, this one is disarmingly civil with a very elegant character.”

Conclusions

If you’ve read our review of the predecessor to this release, the Great Plains 18 Year Jerez Brandy Cask Finish, you’ll see that an five more years and a long rest in Cognac casks have worked wonders here, as we’ve awarded this release a full additional 2 points bringing its overall score to a 95. This means that it is an outstanding sipping whisky by our standards.

What’s truly impressive is that despite being bottled at a cask strength of 58%, there is no unwanted heat or prickly edges to speak of. Where peers at this proof can feel combative, this one is disarmingly civil with a very elegant character. It doesn’t wrestle with you; instead it provides a nice warm caress and delivers layers of sophisticated complexity, sip after sip, complete with a luxuriously long finish.

…And For Those So Inclined: A Recommended Cigar Pairing

Reach for a Karen Berger Ixtelli Toro cigar to complete the picture.

Draped in a Nicaraguan Jalapa Criollo wrapper over an all-Nicaraguan core, the Ixtelli sits in that sweet spot of medium body and medium strength, leading with spice. Spanish cedar is prominent, supported by toasted nuts and the comforting warmth of fresh-baked bread.

In concert, both partners evolve. The Ixtelli pulls a cedar-kissed sweetness from the 22 Year Cognac Cask Finish, teasing out new shades of vanilla cookie and a coffee-toned undercurrent toward the close. The whisky answers back with soft raisin cookie accents and a flicker of cinnamon hearts candy, rounding the pairing into a unified whole.

REVIEWED MAY 2026

See more Canadian Whisky reviews

– Kurt Bradley

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.