Gibson's Finest 12 Year Old
Darcy O'Neil :: June 14, 2006 7:07 PM
Gibson's is the third most popular Canadian whisky in Canada. I holds 17% of the market and sells around 300,000 cases per year. Whenever you read the term "case" it means that 9 bottles of 750ml were sold. Just in case you didn't know. Outside of Canada you will be lucky to find Gibson's since it doesn't have much of an international following. However that may change in the near future. William Grant & Sons recently acquired the brand, and with their world wide reach they may decide to start marketing this product. William Grant & Sons also owns the Glenfiddich and Balvenie brands, so they are no slouches when it comes to international marketing.
Tasting: Neat
Colour: Bright gold. Slightly lighter than Crown Royal
Gentle on the nose, very slight alcohol, with grain notes. Allowing a few minutes to open up releases much more. Some butter, fruit, vanilla and rye. Nice nose, but not as big as something like Maker's Mark.
Fairly dry to start with a subtle sweetness in the finish that develops slowly. There is a slight spiciness with some rye. Smooth with caramel flavours and some wood.
With Water
Nose: A whole lot of vanilla pops out with some butterscotch in there too. Biggest vanilla and butterscotch of any Canadian whisky.
Palate: Super smooth with an increase in sweetness with a good mouth feel. The spiciness is gone, but there is still some oak in the finish with a faint hint of rye. The vanilla is still present. The finish is relatively short.
Compared to Crown Royal it is smoother but doesn't have the finish that Crown does.
Summary
Gibson's is a pretty good whisky and sticks to the classic Canadian style. It isn't as sweet as Royal Reserve, but it is still very noticeable with it's butterscotch flavour. This whisky is better with a few drops of water.
Price: $24.95
Age: 12 Years
Additional Gibson Whiskies
Gibson's Finest Sterling (Price: $22.95)
Gibson's Finest Rare 18 Year Old (Price: $38.00)
Colour: Bright gold. Slightly lighter than Crown Royal
Gentle on the nose, very slight alcohol, with grain notes. Allowing a few minutes to open up releases much more. Some butter, fruit, vanilla and rye. Nice nose, but not as big as something like Maker's Mark.
Fairly dry to start with a subtle sweetness in the finish that develops slowly. There is a slight spiciness with some rye. Smooth with caramel flavours and some wood.
With Water
Nose: A whole lot of vanilla pops out with some butterscotch in there too. Biggest vanilla and butterscotch of any Canadian whisky.
Palate: Super smooth with an increase in sweetness with a good mouth feel. The spiciness is gone, but there is still some oak in the finish with a faint hint of rye. The vanilla is still present. The finish is relatively short.
Compared to Crown Royal it is smoother but doesn't have the finish that Crown does.
Summary
Gibson's is a pretty good whisky and sticks to the classic Canadian style. It isn't as sweet as Royal Reserve, but it is still very noticeable with it's butterscotch flavour. This whisky is better with a few drops of water.
Price: $24.95
Age: 12 Years
Additional Gibson Whiskies
Gibson's Finest Sterling (Price: $22.95)
Gibson's Finest Rare 18 Year Old (Price: $38.00)
 
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32 Comments on Gibson's Finest 12 Year Old
hello got a buddy that just love`s the silver an gold lable is there any tee shirts or golf shirts we can by or glass as in shot or mix glass that we can get for a true supporter he love` this stuff a whould be a good rep for you well i sure you get all kind`s of this stuff but i`am a belever this is good rye your`s truly dwayne mac millan
Best whiskey I've had period!!!!
Wish I could purchase in the U.S.
It is the smoothest whiskey I have ever had. I loook forward to buying it in the US. I try to get anyone going to Canada to bring me back some.
I love this Rye, not only is it named after me but it has all the class and character of a pure Canadian drink.
The lesser mentioned "silver" lable, aged some 8 years; is just as smooth and sweet as the "gold" 12 year old for about $3.00 less.
That being said, comparing the gold to Crown Royal is blasphamey. If you want to draw the comparison between 2 of Canada's best whiskeys then I suggest you poor Gibson's Finest: Rare 18 year old against Crowns Limited.
Gibson walks away the winner in any connoisseur's notes.
This is a great whiskey. Mad that it is not sold in the states. Every year my wife and I go to Detriot and across the river to Windsor, I got to buy two bottles. The flavors are excellent and very smooth. My drinking buddies enjoy it very much when we are smoking cigars.
Gibson's is the best. I won my now fiance over with the stuff 7 years ago. Wow.
I found Gibbys (my pet name lol)on the shelf while I was looking for another brand of whiskey and thought to myself why not I like the bottle.Its been a love story ever since,it's the best smoothest whiskey ive ever tasted.I turned all my buddys on to it and I'll tell ya we buy a fair amount of those 300,000 cases sold each year!
I feel lucky to be Canadian!!!
I have been drinking Gibson's now for a very long time. I don't even like the taste of Crown Royal anymore. But, since I have seen the new Gibson's. I have found that the tast of my favorite whiskey has changed. I have not tried the new aged out as of yet. I took one bottle back thinking maybe it was bad or expired. (?) It was replaced, and it has the same taste. I am very disappointed if you have changed the awesome whiskey.
you all have good taste
My Dad turned me on to this from a recent trip to Canada. I live in Philly and can't find the stuff. I really enjoyed it and want to buy some. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Converted Gentleman Jack Fan!
I have a botle of Gibson's Finest 12 year old from year 1978.
I own a 1976 bottle of gibson,( olympic edition ) #3912, to hard to open and guess as to its value
i love your whisky its smoothe simlpy exceptional but what the hell is going on with this recall? let me give some background im on vacation from work not doing anything special just trying to have fun now i find that alot easier with a glass of my favorite whiskey so please get back to me with any info u can on the recall it has really affected alot of people
i'm a manager at a beer & wine store in kamloops b.c. canada, and i'm wondering why there was a recall on all the gisons product.
thank you connie crosman
I was wondering why all Gibson’s whisky was recalled? Could not get any in Manitoba.
Hello, always liked Gibson's. Had one on my birthday and them went to refill it at the local. But to my very great surprise, no big G to be had. Have I been had???? by drinking my birthday drink, no information to be had ?????? What is to be had about the missing big G at my local????????????
I own a gibson olympic edition # 3010, and would appreciate help in determining its value. I still have the original bag as well
one of the smoothes whiskey i have ever had,being drinking gibsins for ever . thanks gibson mike
I love this rye it is the best I have found no other better. a good friend gave me a drink some years back and I was hooked. I have had no other since. I would like to see it in more bars and hotels. If you need help I am your man I will be your best sales rep ever, Who ever likes it can sel it. And I love it.
keep it up and try from more bars soon,
thank you
ANY IDEA WHERE OR HOW I WOULD GET GIBSON'S IN THE U.S?
THANKS
I own a bottle and bag of Gibson Olympic Limited Edition whiskey serial number OF 4946. Would any one know the value of such an item. Please respond via email as per address above. thank you
hi , I was told that Gibsons was not making a certain year of whiskey anymore its either the 12 year or the 18 year , does anyone know anything about this at all. thanks
very fine whisky my brother & me love your whisky
Just had some of the fine Gibson in October, and now wanting more. From what I read is it worth the trip to Canada if I can not find it?
Gibsons gold is truly a great rye. I like it on the rocks or with coke. I have 3 gourmet recipies I make with it, and all my friends were "Crown" drinkers but i'm proud to say I've converted them all. This rye has no bitter after taste and it smooth.
We had to use our Gibson's Finest Canadian Whisky (12 years old) in the miniature bottle at Christmas for company and would like to replace the miniature - any idea where we can find one?
Discovered Gibson's when I was living in Ontario. i think it is the best whiskey there is. I buy some everytime I visit Canada. Wish it was available in the U S
I bought 2 bottles of Gibson Olympic Whiskey in 1976. They are still in the original bags. Seal #'s - A0111272 & A0111272. Bottle #'s 5393 & 4642. Would someone be able to tell me their value.
I just posted the comment of the 2 bottles of Olympic. I made an error on the one Seal #. The first one should be replaced by.- A0111250 not A0111272. Thank You.
I just moved to Chicago from Ontario but luckily I live close enough to Canada to bring back 3 bottles of Gibby's every time I travel back home!! My friends(all) and I have been drinking the gold since we were 16. Seriously I agree the best whisky there is, I've tried them all. Addicted...yes!
Need to sell it in the US!! Hmmm, sounds like a good project for me.
Hi, I just found a bunch of old unopened whiskey bottles at my grandfathers place, one being a bottle of Gibson Olympic Edition Aged 16 Years. The seal sticker over the cap says 1960, and what I think is the serial number is 2201. Anyone know what this might be worth?
Just saw the promotion on the CFL Friday night football. We are going to try it the first chance we get. Nice to hear our Americal cousins are liking the Gibson's taste. I can't say the same about the US bourbon. Sorry cousins!
Stewart