Yukon Single Malt anyone?
To many, hearing the utterance “Yukon Single Malt” sounds about as peculiar as hearing about a Mongolian Weissbier.
But that’s changing – fast.
Two Brewers from Whitehorse, Yukon was developed in 2009 by Bob Baxter and Alan Hansen. It was built on the back of Yukon Brewing, a successful and acclaimed brewery operation they began back in 1997.
Today, the two take a “brewer’s approach” to making limited-release single malt whiskies that have struck a deep chord with collectors and whisky lovers alike. They are among a small handful of distillers that are seriously leading the charge of putting Canadian craft distilling on the world’s radar.
Two Brewers Innovative Series Release 27 is the first in their ‘Innovative’ line with 1080 bottles produced in total.
It is initially brewed using Vienna, Munich, Honey and roasted malts and a sour mash process (where spent mash is poured back into the fermenters of the next batch to increase acidity) to make a malty and hopped beer. After distillation, aging takes place separately in virgin oak and ex-bourbon barrels and then receives a final marriage within ex-peated barrels.
SHELF APPEAL RATING (Note: does not count toward final score, out of 5):
APPEARANCE: Clear. Copper.
NOSE: A lush, creamy nose presents aromas of a waxy red lip balm with fresh, crisp pear and cucumber. A hit of cream soda is accompanied by a touch of earth and perfectly ripened banana.
PALATE: A soft, oily texture provides a delicate, chewy mouthfeel. The palate is more malty and muscular than the nose leads on. You can really taste a soft water element from the ‘glacier-fed streams’ – almost like Fiji brand bottled water. Cinnamon and a touch of smoked kippers dance of the tongue, with lemon, caramel and an element of soft leather following behind.
FINISH: Long, with charred oak, peat smoke, cinnamon spice and red Twizzlers.
ABV: 46%
AGE: NAS
CASK(S): Virgin oak, ex-bourbon, ex-peated
ENJOY: Neat, with a splash of water or an ice cube
RATING:
The self-proclaimed “Innovative” adjective designated within the Series title is unquestionably a warranted one.”
Conclusions
Though the average Peathead (a hardcore fan of heavy peated whisky expressions) isn’t likely to find the Two Brewers Innovative Release 27 Single Malt quite to their PPM (Phenol Parts per Million) satisfaction – that’s not really the point here.
The smoke (provided by the finishing in ex-peated whisky barrels) is just one of many elements to be found within this layered, balanced and innovative expression of Canadian craft whisky that together comprises a wonderful whole. There’s certainly a nod to Scotch here (it is a single malt after all), but its aim doesn’t seem at all to replicate something from Scotland.
Instead, the result is truly a ‘Canadian brewer’s take’ on whisky making. The self-proclaimed “Innovative” adjective designated within the Series title is unquestionably a warranted one. Winner of Gold and Best Single Malt Whisky at the 2021 Canadian Whisky Awards.
…And For Those So Inclined: A Recommended Cigar Pairing
Pair the Two Brewers Innovative Series Release 27 Single Malt with a CAO Amazon Basin cigar.
Cloaked in an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and a unique blend of Colombian, Dominican, and rare Brazilian Braganca filler make for an earthy, medium-full-bodied (leaning more towards full) cigar with notes of dark fruits that pairs very well with a robust red wine or a single malt like the Two Brewers Innovative Release 27.
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.
