Forty Creek - Barrel Select

Forty Creek is produced by Kittling Ridge Estate Wines and Spirits in Grimsby, Ontario, a distillery founded by John Hall, who brought a winemaker's sensibility to Canadian whisky production.

Barrel Select is the flagship expression and the product that established Forty Creek's reputation as a serious departure from the blended commodity whiskies that long dominated the Canadian category.

Rather than blending grain spirits after aging, Hall aged each grain separately: corn for body, rye for spice, and barley malt for complexity.

These were matured individually in small new American oak barrels before being married together and finished in select sherry-seasoned casks, adding a layer of dried fruit and warmth to the spirit. The result is a whisky that punches above its price point, offering genuine complexity at an accessible entry level.

The 375ml format makes it a low-commitment way to explore Canadian whisky done thoughtfully, or to fill a gap in a home bar without opening a full bottle. It suits neat pours, simple cocktails, and anyone curious about how considered production methods can elevate an often-overlooked whisky tradition.