Canadian Club Classic 12 years old miniature. 1974

Canadian Club Classic 12 Year Old miniature. 1974 distilled and bottled by Hiram Walker & Sons.

Condition: Collector-Please note as this is a vintage/rare/limited edition bottle, conditions of bottle/label and liquid level can vary - Some years can vary and as estimations only (example: estimated 1970s/80s).
Fill level: In the neck.

Whisky still produced: Yes.
Category: Blend. 
Distillery: Still producing.
Bottler: Distillery Bottling.
Bottling series: Miniature.
Bottling Year: 1974. The Canadian tax strip reads 1974. This indicates that the youngest whisky in the bottle was distilled in 1974.
Stated Age: 12 years old.
Cask type: Not stated.
Strength: 40.0 % Vol.
Size: 50 ml.
Colouring: Unknown.
Chill-filtered: Unknown.
Bottle code: B8849598 Canada tax code.
Country Origin: Canada.
Market: Worldwide.

Review 92 points;
Here's a real treat - a mini of Canadian Club Classic 12 Year Old from 1974! I love the old Canadian whiskies - they tend to be more rye forward, with more complexity and less overt caramel. I've tasted some Crown Royal from the 1970s, and a Harwood from the 1940s - both fantastic.

Tasting notes;
Appearance/colour; Golden, with orange highlights.
Nose; Loaded with butterscotch, dark honey and marzipan. Seems quite sweet, as you can imagine, but there is definitely a herbaceous rye providing a backbone. Reminds me of a rum-soaked Christmas cake - very fruity. With water, shyer and a little more herbal.n intoxicating burst of maraschino cherry, ripe bramble and dark chocolate mint with hints of orange bitters and walnut liqueur.
Palate; Wonderful balance between lighter caramel and honey with the sharper rye grain. Luxurious mouthfeel. Cinnamon and cloves, and definite oak. Light maple syrup - very light. Livelier with water. Very complex interplay of flavours and absolutely delicious.
Finish: Long, again with the honey but spicier and chalkier (in a good way) with thick oak. I mentioned this in a prior review, but some years ago I blind tasted the previous bottling of CC 12 (not the current bottling) and mistook it for a rum (I would have been mortified, but most of the rest of the class made the same mistake - we tasted it right after the Laphroaig Quarter Cask!) This 1974 CC 12 has a similar profile on the nose, but if memory serves is much drier on the palate, which is terrific. Like so many older Canadian whiskies, this has more complexity than current bottlings.

Distillery History:

Crafted at the Iconic Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery

For more than 160 years, the legendary Hiram Walker & Sons distillery has been producing some of Canada’s finest whiskies. Located in Windsor, Ontario, this historic facility has earned the prestigious title of Distillery of the Year an impressive four years in a row—a testament to its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.

As the saying goes, it takes a village—and at Hiram Walker, that village is a thriving community of over 430 dedicated employees. Each individual plays a vital role in keeping the heart of the company beating strong. From production to packaging, their collective passion and expertise shape every bottle that leaves the distillery.

The company takes pride in fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture. With flexible work policies, on-site events, and meaningful gestures—like gifting every employee a holiday turkey—Hiram Walker consistently shows appreciation for its team.

That spirit of generosity also extends far beyond the distillery walls. Hiram Walker & Sons is one of Windsor’s leading corporate philanthropists, supporting local initiatives such as the Ford City Drouillard Community Garden, United Way, the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County, and many more.

This deep-rooted sense of community, craftsmanship, and care is what continues to define Hiram Walker & Sons—past, present, and future.

© copyright, Tasting World Ltd. England.