Pike Creek

In 1832, an Englishman named Henry Corby emigrated to Belleville, Ontario (he was only 26 years old at the time). After arriving in Canada, Corby opened up a bakery and began supplying bread and other grains to the local militia. Within a few years, Corby was shipping his excess grains to Kingston, where they were sold to other bakeries and restaurants. After purchasing a gristmill in 1855 (a gristmill grinds grains into flour), Corby began distilling his excess grains into whisky, and opened the doors to Corby Distillery in 1859.Corby Distillery initially released Pike Creek Whisky in Canada during Christmas 2012. At the time, the distillery had no intention of releasing the whisky into the United States, but after much fanfare and incredible reviews, the whisky was imported into the United States in 2013.Pike Creek Whisky is a traditional Canadian whisky, and is distilled twice through small, copper stills. After distillation, the whisky is matured in first-use bourbon barrels, which are laid to rest in a warehouse in Pike Creek (a suburb of Windsor, Ontario) for an average of seven to eight years. "In Pike Creeks non-climate controlled warehouse, the dramatic swings in temperature play a key role in the whiskys maturation process,"explains Wayne Hartunian, a Corby Distillery representative. Temperatures plunge during the frigid Canadian winters, and soar during the hot summers Windsor has one of the greatest annual temperature configurables of any whisky region in the world. As a result of the dramatic changes in temperature, the wood barrels are forced to contract and expand, ultimately maximizing interaction with the whisky. "This interaction with the barrels adds character, complexity and concentrated flavors to the whisky, resulting in a one-of-a kind product distinctive to Pike Creek," says Hartunian.After the whisky has matured in used bourbon barrels, it is finished in barrels that were previously used to mature port. The port barrels add notes of sweet, dried fruits to the whisky, and provide for an additional layer of complexity.Pike Creek Whisky is amber in color, and has a nose of dried fruits (particularly cherries and strawberries), along with a subtle, underlying peppery spice. The initial flavors are full and robust, with notes of toffee and vanilla, along with bursts of citrus and honey. The finish lingers, and ends with a note of spicy rye.Whisky lovers can now enjoy Pike Creek without having to cross the border. Pick up a bottle today!