I was recently sent three of the 2019 – 20 Edition Alumni Whiskies to review on my website, J.P. Wiser’s Mark Messier, Dave Keon, and Yvan Cournoyer. This is part of the new Captain’s Line featuring these historic ice legends who each served as Captain of their respective NHL Hockey teams.
The subject of this review, J.P. Wiser’s Yvan Cournoyer Alumni Whisky is blended from 3 grains, and aged for 12 years. The twelve years of aging is of course an homage to Cournoyer’s Jersey Number. Additionally (according to the information sent to me) the spirit was inspired by Cournoyer’s game-winning pass to Paul Henderson in the Canada 1972 Summit Series. Cournoyer’s smooth pass and Henderson’s gritty goal is said to be reflected in the smooth 3-grain whisky which is complimented by gritty rye flavours.
Here is a link to my review:
Review: J.P. Wiser’s Yvan Cournoyer Alumni Whisky
Please enjoy the review and stay tuned for the upcoming review of the Dave Keon and Mark Messier Alumni whiskies.
Chimo!
Recently, I was sent a few samples of Diageo’s new ‘Blonde’ Whiskey which is currently being sold in Texas and Michigan. The Whiskey, Cascade Blonde American Whiskey, is produced in Tennessee at Diageo’s Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. (formerly the George Dickel Distillery). The spirit takes its name from it light colour which is a result of a double chill filtering process the whiskey undergoes prior to being brought down to bottling proof (40 % alcohol by volume) with Tennessee limestone filtered water.
Templeton Rye is a product of Templeton Rye Spirits based in Iowa. The whiskey was distilled in Indiana by MGP which is a distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, that produce spirits for private label sale (formerly Lawrenceburg Distillers of Indiana). Although the current bottled whiskey is produced by MGP, this past August, Templeton Rye celebrated the grand opening of the organization’s new new 34,500 square-foot distillery which has the ability to produce up to 500,000 proof gallons of rye whiskey annually. This means that in 2022 Templeton will be able to bottle and sell their own grain to glass whiskey.
Basically these are recipes which I expect my readers could also make at home without the need to run out to the store to gather exotic liqueurs or garnishes. As well I try to only publish recipes which (according to my palate at least) are enjoyable and tasty.
Note: Bulleit Rye Frontier Whiskey is bottled at 45% alcohol by volume and (according to the Bulleit website) the spirit is a straight whiskey produced from a heavy rye mashbill (95 % rye) which also contains a small amount of malted barley (5 %).
I liked that the recipe provided an unusual complement of flavours; but unfortunately I am not a fan of strawberries or strawberry flavoured foods and beverages. My wife, who knows me well, suggested that I substitute a raspberry flavoured beverage in place of the strawberry. Since Fanta makes both a strawberry and a raspberry soda, the switch was quite easy.
Note: Bulleit Bourbon is produced at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The brand traces its heritage back to 1830 when tavern keeper Augustus Bulleit (after a few experimental trials) created the brand and began to market it locally and eventually to areas outside of Kentucky. According to the Bulleit Bourbon website, the spirit is produced from a rye heavy mash with of course corn as well as malted barley. It is bottled at 45% for the North American Market. 
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