The Canadian Whisky Guide

Canadian whisky is often overlooked as being on par with the quality of its Scotch, Irish, American and even Japanese counterparts. However, where Canada really excels is when it comes to manufacturing a spirit that is easy to justify mixing a drink with.

Being from the great white north, it would be nice to pay homage to my home by gallantly lifting our whiskies onto a pedestal and parading them as superior and exceptional spirits for all the world to see.

Well, you won’t see me doing that anytime soon.

It’s not because of the fact that Canadian whisky isn’t good. It’s simply because I find it far too light. As a Scotch drinker, I prefer a peatier and smoky dram, whereas, similar to Irish whiskey, Canadian whisky is some of the lightest and easiest spirits to consume, making it ideal for mixing or as an introduction to those new to the game of whisky.

Not to suggest there is anything wrong with Canadian whisky. Many, many people love it straight, including those who also enjoy Scotch. In fact, I have a few friends who prefer a Gibson or Canadian Club to that of any Scotch or Irish counterpart, yet still enjoy a dram of Lagavulin or Laphroaig when Gibson’s or CC isn’t available.

Gibsons Whiskies

The History of Canadian Whisky

Canadian whisky has actually had quite an illustrious history, well known for its time where it was bootlegged into America during the heart of prohibition. In the year 1769, the first distillery was opened in Quebec by a man named John Molson, and by the mid-1800s there were more than 200 distilleries actively producing across Canada.

Many people often wonder why Canadian whisky is spelled the same as Scotch and without the “e”. This is because of the large amount of Scottish settlers that came to Canada, who were the ones responsible for the upstart of Canada’s whisky production. Since they used the same processes adopted from back home in Scotland, it was also decided to maintain the same spelling, as these distillers believed their product was similar, both in taste as well as quality.

One ingredient however, the really separates Canadian whisky from Scotch is the use of corn. Similar to that of American Bourbon, Canada has enjoyed utilizing the overflowing population of corn grown across its vast land. An interesting note is that often Canadian whisky is simply referred to as “Rye” or “Rye whisky”. This isn’t because rye is a primary ingredient, but because rye has such an overpowering authority over the taste of the whisky. The more rye used in the batch, the spicier the notes. Very rarely, is rye used as a majority ingredient, and often only makes up a very small percentage of its ingredient list.

Prohibition

Many may not be aware, but Canada too had its own prohibition from 1916 to 1917. However, it’s because of the American prohibition, that Canadian whisky became known the world over.

In 1920, right up until 1933, the American government banned the sale of all liquor nationwide. In fact, not only was the sale of liquor banned, but so was the importation, production and transportation of it anywhere on US soil. While private ownership and consumption wasn’t illegal in most States, there were still many regions that took it into their own hands to prevent it in their homes.

This is was an incredibly debated issue, as in those days, certain spirits were viewed as medicinal and the addiction levels were through the roof. Many believed this was the government’s way of controlling them and because of it, groups merged with the goal of illegally rum-running alcohol into the US from neighboring countries such as Canada.

With organized crime taking a stronghold over Atlantic City, New York and Chicago, mobsters like Al Capone switched priorities and began focusing heavily on the importation and sale of illicit alcohol. Recently, an entire TV show called Boardwalk Empire evolved around it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK9vFVON1RM&t=11s

While there is (obviously) very limited records as it applies to just how much Canadian whisky was illegally poured into America, it is well known that the speakeasies of the South were flowing.  A perfect example is Hiram Walker‘s distillery in Windsor, Ontario, which by happy-accident was directly across the river from Detroit and during prohibition was a prime site for bootleggers to smuggle it across the border using fast and small boats.

Following the end of prohibition, the Federal Alcohol Administration believed that Canadian whisky was similar to that of Tylenol, a cure-all for many American illnesses and a great remedy for pain, something many Canadians I know might agree with.

In 1933, the FAA imported 3,314,443 gallons of Canadian whisky, most of which was Seagrams, into the United States for allocation to various medical clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and other public buildings including libraries. It was this action that confirmed Canada’s position in the global whisky market.

What Differentiates Canadian Whisky?

Canadian whisky, often referred to as “rye whisky” is typically made from a concoction of various grains blended together in harmony. Most common are barley, corn, rye and wheat, with corn being the most emphasized.

It’s style tends to be closest to that of Ireland’s blended whiskies being a light, palatable spirit that is often described as smooth and mellow with very little hints of peat.

Unlike most countries, Canada’s regulations for whisky are very broad and allow the spirit to be mixed with a variety of other spirits which can include bourbon, sherry, brandy and even non-alcoholic flavored liquids. The distillation by law occurs in column stills and must be matured for a minimum of three years before being released to the public.

In fact, one of the world’s best sellers is Crown Royal, whose distillery is just minutes from my family’s summer home.

Canadian Club Whiskies

Recommended Bottles

Canadian Club Small Batch Sherry Cask

One of the few Canadian whiskies I enjoy neat or with a splash of water. The sherry cask is proof that Canada is capable of producing a spirit that can be more than just another ingredient in a cocktail. This particular bottling makes use of very small quantities of Canadian Club’s finest blends that are aged for a minimum of eight years in white oak barrels before being double matured in Fino sherry casks imported from Jerez, Spain.

The coloring is close to what I would describe as an exquisite bronze with a nose that features strong wafts of fruits with just a hint of oak and a blast of sherry. The taste on the palate is full of figs, sultanas and dates with some light touches of vanilla, charred oak and toasted grains.

The finish is as mellow as the taste without a hint of peat. It’s strongly sweet and lasts for a considerably long time before enveloping your mouth with a subtle oak finale.

Canadian Club Small Batch 12 Year

If you’re looking for something a bit more robust in flavor than the sherry cask, try the 12 year.

It has a strong barley flavor profile and is a great step up from the other whiskies in the Canadian Club lineup. Aged for 12 years in bourbon barrels, it can be consumed neat, but I prefer it in the classic cocktails such as a Manhattan or even an Old Fashioned.

The color is more of a gold than bronze and the nose is soft but creamy with strong fruit statements. The flavor matches with the vanilla from the charred bourbon barrels and a hint of spice that matches nicely with honey and oak.

The finish is a bit longer than that of the sherry cask and far drier with strong bursts of butterscotch and a hint of smoke.

Crown Royal Whiskey

Crown Royal Cask No. 16

The 18 is what many consider to be the pinnacle of Crown Royal’s lineup. It’s a unique mixture of more than fifty different whiskies that are blended together before being finished in Cognac casks imported from the Limousin forest.

Unfortunately, I have only tried this whisky once and didn’t make note of it. What I can tell you is that it’s a far more complex whisky compared to most other Canadian drams. It can be consumed neat but I wouldn’t recommend it for those who don’t already drink unmixed whisky on a regular basis.

Gibson’s Rare 18 Year

If you asked me my opinion of Gibson’s Sterling I would tell you to go drink a beer. The sterling is abhorrent in my opinion, but the 18 year is about as good as it gets.

The second bottle I can withstand not to mix, this dram is delicate and velvety with rich layers of complex aromas and flavors that are often unseen in Canadian spirits.

The nose is rich and sweet full of warm brown sugars and fruit. The palate is medium bodied with wafts of vanilla and rye, succeeded by honey and dried fruits. The finish is long, less complex, but still about as remarkable as they come.

Glenora

Glenora is an interesting whisky because it comes from Nova Scotia which is prominent for its Scottish, Irish and Gaelic communities. What really separates it from the rest of the pack though is that it was the first single malt distillery in Canada and, wait for it… finishes the aging process in ice wine casks.

Glenora has had a turbulent history and for years has been in battle with the Scotch Whisky Association which believes that the “Glen” in the name, is likely to confuse unsuspecting buyers who may accidentally believe it to be Scotch.

In addition, Glenora is well noted for being visitor friendly which is something not many distilleries in Canada are known for. In fact, most don’t allow visitors to enter the distillery, some even going to far as to prohibit media and delegates from touring their facilities.

The Glenora is a unique bottling, most known for their 10 year. The nose is full of Canadian maple and vanilla with hints of orange, chocolate and cherry. The palate is nutty with huge bursts of cherry and maple again. The finish is my favorite part which has obvious notes of apple pie with the freshness of ginger.

This is a bottling I often choose to mix with lighter cocktails and one I don’t typically enjoy straight up.

Forty Creek – Canadian Whiskey

Forty Creek and Canadian Club

Two different bottles from two different companies, I have paired these together for one reason; they are the moonshines of Canadian whisky.

Why are they in my list of recommended spirits you ask? The answer is simple. They are some of the best bottles to have on your shelf for those with no appreciation, or who simply want a Rye and Coke.

I won’t even get into tasting notes on these. They simply aren’t worth the time. All you need to know about these two bottles is that they are the Smirnoff and Bacardi’s of the whisky world. Great for mixing, but call in sick if you plan on drinking them straight up.

For cocktail recipes, please take a look at our other whisk(e)y guides.

Conclusion

Today, there are 500 Canadian distilled spirits and it’s not difficult to find a few you’ll enjoy. While the whisky is quite mellow when compared to a Scotch, it has an unmistakably unique flavor profile and complexity imparted by the Rye.

In the end, Canadian whisky may not be my first choice, but it holds a special place in my heart and in my bar.  It’s the perfect dram for a newcomer turned off by the “harshness” of Scotch and it really shines in a plethora of mixed cocktails (click here to learn more about tools and mixing). Not to mention, you can’t go wrong with the price.

Tags: Beam, Canada, Canadian Club, Canadian whisky, Crown Royal, Diageo, Gibsons, rye, Whisky

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Sưu tầm từ : Canadian Whisky Guide — Gentleman's Gazette http://www.gentlemansgazette.com/canadian-whisky-guide/#ixzz32s1weJlA

The Ultimate Loafer Guide

May 4, 2014/6 Comments/in Clothing, Our Best Articles, Shoes, Wardrobe /by Sven Raphael Schneider

In this series on men’s footwear we have previously presented a guide to Moccasins and the Driving Moc, which is related to the Loafer but not exactly the same. So what exactly is a loaferand how does is it different from the Moccasin? In this guide, you will learn all about Loafers, different styles and the history of this popular shoe.

Penny Loafers by Rancourt

Characteristics of a Loafer

1. Lace less shoe.
2. Low shoes, i.e. the ankle is exposed and they do not wrap snugly around the ankle
3. Separate sole
4. An (often low) heel
5. The upper vamp has a moccasin-like construction
6. Sometimes loafers feature a piece of leather across the vamp, which is known as a saddle

From the above description one can see the similarities between a moccasin and a loafer however there are a few key differences.

1. All loafers have a separate sole which is not the case for the majority of moccasins.
2. Loafers have a heel which is missing in a moccasin.
3. Unlike moccasins, loafers lack embroidery, beading or other ornamentation on the uppers.
4. Evolved on different continents.

The last difference is the primary reason why they, though similar in many ways, evolved into two different and distinct types of footwear.

Weejuns in the 1960′s – a symbol of elegant leisure

History of the Loafer

Unlike most other shoes the loafer has many origin stories. One of these is also said to be the moccasin thus adding to the confusion. However the two most popular, widely regarded and accepted theories are that they evolved from a Norwegian man who hybridized traditional Native American  and Norwegian footwear and from a English royal commission of a new form of house shoe. While it may be rather difficult to pinpoint the exact source what is really interesting is the story and journey of its evolution.

For the purpose of clarity we subdivided the history of the loafer based on types, while roughly maintaining a timeline.

Wildsmith loafer in brown with Moccasin construction and typical saddle

The Wildsmith Loafer

Across the pond to the United Kingdom, in 1847, Matthew and Rebecca Wildsmith established a footwear manufacturing business in London by the name of  Wildsmith Shoes. The mainstay of their business was making and subsequently repairing boots for the Household Cavalry, whose mounted unit, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, is part of the Monarch’s official bodyguard.

In 1926 their grandson, Raymond Lewis Wildsmith, was commissioned by King George VI, to make a country house shoe which he could wear indoor mostly with his shooting hose. Raymond came up with a low heeled design that did not include laces and which could be comfortably slipped on and off. The construction of this shoe had a lot in common with the moccasin. It is a matter of conjecture as to whether he was familiar with the moccasin or that he came up with the design on his own in response to the very specific instruction he received from his patron.  This design soon appeared in his ready to wear collection and was initially called the 582, and then subsequently the Model 98 . Today they are now known as the Wildsmith Loafer. While they were designed for indoor wear in a casual fashion, they very soon gained in popularity and began to be worn as a casual choice for outdoor wear.

The Aurland Loafer from Norway & Hand Drawn Moccasin Model for Reorder by Gardner

The Aurland Loafer

At the beginning of the 20th century, Shoemaker Nils Gregoriusson Tveranger (1874-1953) introduced a loafer in the town of Aurland, Norway. Nils travelled to North America at the age of thirteen to learn the art of shoemaking and spent approximately seven years there. In 1930, he introduced a new design with heels which came to be known as the “Aurland moccasin”. This design was influenced by two sources, the first being the moccasins worn by the Iroquois, which he no doubt familiarised himself with during his stay in North America, and the second being the traditional moccasin like shoes worn by the fishermen in his hometown of Aurland.

He slowly started marketing his design in the rest of Europe, where it became extremely popular. At that time, many Americans began visiting Europe where they stumbled upon these shoes and took a fancy to them. Many of them, of course, took them back and reintroduced them to America. They came to the notice of the editor of Esquire magazine who in turn took up the cause of these shoes and hence they began to become familiar to Americans back home. In the early 1930s, (according to some sources in 1933) the Spaulding family in New Hampshire sensed a business opportunity and started making shoes based on the Aurland Moccasin. They named it the Loafer which was a generic name for slip-on shoes in America.

Around 1940, the industrialist and Secretary of the Treasury, Arthur Gardner, bought a pair of Aurland shoes. Later, when he was unable to obtain them in the U.S. he made an unusual request to the Norwegian ambassador, providing him with a sketch of the “slippers”. Apparently, Gardner did not know where the shoes were made, but the ambassador recognized that he must have meant Aurland shoes. The local mayor organized production and three months afterwards, four pairs of ”moccasins” were mailed to D.C.

Crockett & Jones Penny Loaffer Model Boston in Scotch grain calf on a classic Last & Variation Mertin on a more modern last

The Penny Loafer

In 1936 (some sources put the date as 1934) the G.H.Bass shoe company introduced its version of the loafer, which to this day the company remains known for. Their design included a distinctive strip of leather (the saddle) of the shoe with a diamond shaped cut out. Their version of the loafer was named Weejuns (to sound like Norwegians – a nod to the Norwegian roots of the shoe) to differentiate them from the Spaulding loafer. Weejuns became extremely popular in America especially among the Prep School students in the 1950s, who coined the term Penny Loafer. Legend has it that they, wishing to make a fashion statement, took to inserting a penny into the diamond shaped cut out of their Weejuns. An alternate theory is that two pennies was sufficient to make an emergency call in the 1930s. Regardless of the theory the name stuck and the G.H.Bass penny loafer has achieved the status of a classic. For more about Weejuns, make sure to visit Ivy Style. In 1937, the American brand Nettleton trademarked the term loafer for “LADIES’, MEN’S, AND BOYS’ SHOES MADE OF LEATHER, RUBBER, FABRIC, AND VARIOUS COMBINATIONS OF SUCH MATERIALS”.

In the 1930′s the Duke of Windsor was a big proponent of penny loafers and he often wore a brown and white two-tone Penny Loafer with his suits.

Bass Weejuns – Made in Maine Reddish Brown & Olive Green

The Tassel Loafer

It remains unclear what the roots of the tassel loafers are. Alan Flusser claimed tassel loafers were popular with the Ivy League set in the 1920′s though I have never seen any article, photograph, ad or illustration from that time period mentioning or showing tassel loafers.Truman wore derby shoes with tassels, but he did not have tassel loafers. If you have any evidence regarding tassel loafers from the 1920′s, please leave a comment below!

Alden Tassel Loafer

Based on evidence we have seen, it seems more plausible that after the end of the Second World War the little remembered but rather debonair American movie character Paul Lukas bought a pair of oxfords with little tassels at the end of the laces. On his return to America he took them to the New York shoemakers Farkas & Kovacs and asked them to make something similar. Not fully satisfied, Lukas then took them to Lefcourt of New York and Morris Bookmakers of Beverly Hills. Both of them in turn, and in a twist of fate, sent on the request to the Alden Shoe Company. The then President of Alden, Arthur Tarlow Sr., Came up with a slip-on pattern keeping the leather lace and tassel as a decoration. The Alden Shoe Co., realising the potential of the shoe, continued to experiment with the design for another year finally launching it in 1950 through Lefcourt and Morris stores. The Tassel Loafer as it became to be called was a success, finding favor with the sophisticated set of New York and Los Angles. In 1957, Brooks Brothers approached Alden to make a line of tassel loafers especially for them. The resultant design was a tassel loafer with a decorative seam at the back part of the shoe which, to this day, remains exclusive to Brooks Brothers.

The Gucci Horsebit Loafer

The Gucci Loafer

While the loafer grew in stature in America, with the tassel loafer being worn with suits by the 1960s, it was not quite the same story in Europe. In Italy, this style of shoe was more widespread but all other Europeans considered the loafer to be a casual shoe that had no place in the city. However, things changed in 1968 when the Italian designer Gucci introduced a loafer with a golden brass strap in the shape of a horse’s snaffle bit across the front. Gucci opened his New York office in 1953 and noticed the popularity of the loafer. He refined the lines, added the bit (Gucci has a saddle making history) and made them in black (loafers were usually in brown in keeping with their status of being a casual shoe). The result was a shoe with just enough formality to make it acceptable to be worn with suits.  These went on to be named the Gucci Loafer and helped establish the loafer in Europe and across the globe. Gianni Agnelli or John F. Kennedy were just a few of the big supporters that helped to establish Gucci Loafer. In 1969, Gucci sold 84,000 pairs of loafers just in their U.S. stores. As in keeping with the continued journey of the loafer, it crossed the pond into America where it was adopted by the 1970s businessmen and almost became a uniform for Wall Street types.

Up until Gucci designed this loafer, it was a brand merely known to insiders who appreciated saddles and quality luggage. The men’s loafer is also know as Model 175 and was already designed in the mid 1950′s. Initially it was sold for approximately $14. Subsequently, Gucci developed the Loafer Model 360 for women, and the very similar model 350, which was offered in seven unusual colors. Consequently, the fashion journalist and critic Hebe Dorsey dedicated an entire article to the shoe which was published in the International Herald Tribune, which made the shoe an overnight success.

Since 1985, the Gucci Loafer has been part of the permanent exhibition of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Loafer Construction

Since loafers are casual shoes, most of them are black or blake rapid stitched, while occasionally you can also find goodyear welted loafers. While these are a little heavier, they offer an additional layer of cork, which makes walking in them a bit more comfortable though the shoe will also be heavier. For casual summer use, an unlined, blake stitched loafer might be the better choice if you don’t intend to walk overly much in them. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more robust multi season loafer, a goodyear welted version with leather lining is probably the better choice. Twice a year Gucci release a new version of their loafers, and while the summer ones are unlined, and made of very thin leather, the fall winter collection is leather lined and made of thicker leathers.

Slip on Shoe – Not a Loafer because it lacks the Moccasin construction

Slip-Ons – Not Loafers

Many men and women confuse slip-on shoes with loafers. As the name suggests, you can slip on the shoe just like a loafer but it lacks the moccasin seam on the uppers and looks more like a regular oxford or brogue. The slip-on is favored by men who wear business suits when they fly because you can easily pass security and unlike a loafer, it is appropriate with a pin stripe business suit.

Scarosso Model Mezzano Tassel Loafer in black suede with red tassels

Loafer Style Advice

The Loafer is a piece of footwear that straddles the two worlds of casual and a more formal style, making it quite a unique piece in that respect. No matter what you read, a loafer is never a truly formal shoe because of its casual heritage.

Gucci loafers are often combined with all sorts of outfits. Of course, using a black, polished box calf leather with leather lining and refining the shape make the loafer more formal than an off white, unlined Gucci summer loafer in suede but at the end of the day, it is still a loafer and not suited for tuxedos or white tie ensembles. Likewise, it is historically not appropriate to wear one with a classic three piece business suit because it is simply too casual. On the other hand, a casual suit will look just fine with tassels.

Selection of worn out Gucci Loafers

Tassel loafers. In the U.S. many businessmen in their fifties wear business suits or sport coats with slacks and black or brown tassel loafers. As a rule of thumb, black or oxblood tassel loafers are about as formal as a navy blazer with grey flannel slacks. Of course, anyone can wear anything today but if you have an interest in classic men’s clothing, you care about history and the evolution of certain clothing pieces. Wearing tassel loafers with a business suits would probably not considered to be a faux pas, but I still encourage you to wear it with casual suits and blazer / sport coat combination and choose an Oxford with more formal garments.

Penny loafers are a perfect companion for corduroy pants, chinos, flannel slacks and in the summer even linen or seersucker. In terms of formality, they rank just slightly below a tassel loafer and it is a great companion for a blazer outfit with Oxford shirts and a tie or bow tie.

In a casual setting the loafer can replace any of your other casual shoes to add a bit of dash to your look. However unlike Boat Shoes, it is recommended that you keep your socks on when you wear your loafers. Casual loafers can be worn with denims and khakis, and some men even wear them sockless with shorts. At the end of the day, you have to decide what to wear, though personally, I would wear loafers mostly during the day, and predominantly with combinations and casual suits. However, the beauty of rules is that you can break them elegantly once you have mastered them, whereas men who don’t have a clue about clothing history, often look it.

What Loafers to Buy?

Every man should have at least one pair of loafers. Unfortunately, there is not one style that is objectively more necessary than another. While some would consider the penny loafer or Gucci loafer the number one choice, I think tassel loafers make a good first pair because you can do anything you would o with the other loafers, but the tassels add a unique touch to your wardrobe.

If you are not sure where to buy loafers, the following should help you to narrow it down a bit because you can literally find thousands of loafer options around the world.

Monaco Penny Loafer & Variation by Gaziano Girling

Penny Loafers

If you want to invest in a penny loafer, you have many options. Bass Weejuns offers foreign made models for $118, Made in Maine versions for $295, and about twice as much for shell cordovan. I haven’t tried either of them, but I’d assume the Made in Maine are of higher quality. Apart from that, you can also find them from Allen Edmonds ($225 – $365), Alden ($498), Rancourt ($225), Brooks Brothers ($198). For a more high end interpretation of this style, take a look at Gaziano Girling. In Europe, Scarosso offers an affordable RTW option, andCrockett & Jones offers a large selection of different styles and lasts.

jfitzpatrick Tassel slip-on Ravenna in navy, short nap suede

Tassel Loafers

All the brands mentioned above produce tassel loafers as well. In addition, Meermin offers interesting budget tassels, Scarosso has an affordable MTO Program, and JFitzpatrick offer suede tassel slip-ons, which are technically not loafers. For a good selection of various penny and tassel loafers, take a look at Pediwear.

Gucci Loafers

Although copied many times, Gucci is still the originator of the shoe, however bear in mind that they issue many different versions in gold and silver horsebit hardware and different styles. Priced between around $450 – $630 you certainly pay much more for the brand name than for the quality of leather and workmanship. Personally, I’d prefer to invest that kind of money into more quality and buy from places like those mentioned above, but each to his own. If you want a Gucci loafer, the most classic bit loafer is black leather with gold hardware, which sells for $590.

Cited from: The Ultimate Loafer Guide - Penny Loafers, Tassels & Gucci — Gentleman's Gazette http://www.gentlemansgazette.com/loafer-guide-penny-gucci-tassels-weejuns/#ixzz30nSJS5Xd


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