Seagram's VO Canadian Whisky (70cl, 40%)

Seagram's VO is a Canadian blended whisky, matured for at least six years in oak and bottled at 40% in a 70cl bottle. It has a fruity sweetness, a medium body and spicy rye notes. The blend began at the Waterloo distillery in Ontario, where it was first made in a small quantity in 1913 for the wedding of Thomas, the youngest son of Joseph E. Seagram. The meaning of the initials was never written down: the family holds that VO stands for Very Own, while another reading is Very Old. In 1940 Governor General Lord Athlone granted it a royal warrant, and his coat of arms then appeared on the label. The nose offers dried fruit, lemon peel and orange juice. The palate is buttery and full, with honey, yoghurt, espresso and strawberry jam. The finish is medium, with rye spice and light, sweet oak.