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Archive for the ‘Whisk(e)y’ Category

2019 Rum Howler Favourite 20 Canadian Whiskies: #7 – Alberta Springs Canadian Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 16, 2019

Alberta Springs Canadian Whisky is the last of the so-called ‘economy’ whiskies on my 2019 list of favourites. It’s not really an ‘economy’ whisky, it’s really a 10 year old sipping whisky sold at an incredibly attractive price.  The price is in fact so attractive, that this sipping whisky is a great choice for those who prefer high end mixers.

Myself, I am as likely to mix a nice Old Fashioned Cocktail, as I am to mix a rye and ginger-ale splash, as I am to sipping the spirit neat or over ice. Like the Alberta Premium previously published as part of this list, Alberta Springs is an incredibly versatile dram.

Here is a link to my most recent review:

Review: Alberta Springs Canadian Whisky

“… The initial breezes from the glass represent a dusty spice filled Canadian whisky with firm almond scents tagging along with the spicy grain. Fine oak spices drift upwards, and the spiciness in the air reminds me of ginger and cardamon with perhaps a few hints of cinnamon drifting in between …”

Chimo!

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2019 Rum Howler Favourite 20 Canadian Whiskies: #8 – Last Mountain Single Cask 100 % Wheat Whisky 

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 15, 2019

The Last Mountain Distillery is Saskatchewan’s first micro distillery. It is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Colin and Meredith Schmidt. I have been following the Distillery ever since it opened in 2010. Last Mountain was in fact one of the very first Micro Distilleries to open its doors in Canada, and right from the very beginning the whisky they crafted caught my attention.

In my opinion their Single Cask 100 % Wheat whisky is one of the best spirits they have crafted to date. Wheat has a soft smooth flavour when distilled, and this characteristic make it an ideal grain for an overproof bottling where its subtle flavours can be given more expression.

Alas the Last Mountain spirits do not see much exposure outside of Saskatchewan, which is a real pity because the rest of the Country is missing out.

Review: Last Mountain Single Cask 100 % Wheat Whisky

“… The whisky brings all that flavour that the nose implied with lush butterscotch and milk chocolate flavours oozing out of the oak spice. The whisky was aged in a bourbon barrel and their certainly is a nice ribbon of corn whisky running through the spirit. Vanilla, baking spices, honeycomb and orange peel (and orange marmalade) join in the onrush …”

Chimo!

 

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2019 Rum Howler Favourite 20 Canadian Whiskies: #9 – J.P. Wiser’s NHL Alumni Whiskies

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 14, 2019

A few years ago J.P. Wiser’s and the NHL Alumni Association (NHLAA) got together to bring whisky fans something uniquely Canadian. One time edition Canadian whiskies which are each blended with the aim of containing characteristic links to specific NHLAA members for whom the blend is named.

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, and if you follow my blog you will know that those reviews are just recently published.

I really enjoyed each of the the J.P. Wisers NHL Alumni Whiskies that I was able to sample. Although each whisky is unique in its own way, I nevertheless found an underlying theme of quality running throughout the line-up.

Here are links to the reviews of the 2019 Captain’s Line-up.

Note: As part of the partnership with the NHL Alumni, a potion of the sales are be donated to NHLAA to support their philanthropic causes.

 

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2019 Rum Howler Favourite 20 Canadian Whiskies: #10 – Canadian Club 20 Yr Old Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 13, 2019

Canadian Club was, as advertised, my father’s favourite whisky. He loved the brand, and whenever we had some sort of important occasion he insisted that the only whisky we could serve was Canadian Club. So when I began to review spirits, and began to earn my reputation, the one person I could never win over with my reviews was my Dad. He didn’t care what I wrote, or how popular my reviews were, if I didn’t say that Canadian Club was the best whisky in Canada, then I obviously didn’t know what I was talking about.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Canadian Club Whisky, In fact I like their entire range. But, I just didn’t share my Dad’s passion for the brand. Fortunately though, we did manage find some common ground. I brought him a bottle of the Canadian Club 20 Year Old. He loved it, and I loved it too. When we would have a glass together, he would mix his dram with ginger ale, and, just to make sure he didn’t think that I was trying to put on airs, I mixed my dram with ginger-ale too.

That summer, whenever I would pop over, we would share a glass together in the evening, mixed with ginger-ale of course. The memories I have of sharing that bottle with my Dad has placed the Canadian Club 20 Year Old well into my list of favourite Canadian Whiskies. And although Dad passed away several yeas ago, I still keep a bottle on hand. When the occasion suits me I have a small dram in the evening, sometimes neat, but usually mixed with ginger-ale to honour my Dad.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Canadian Club 20 Year Old Whisky

The whisky is smooth with oak spice and hints of sap melded nicely into the other flavours. There is also a smoky quality with dry fruit flavours of raisins and prunes holding the whisky together. A peppery rye note bobs up to the surface, and somewhere in the mix, and I taste dabs of nutmeg and cinnamon as well as a dash of Apricot Brandy. 

Chimo!

 

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2019 Rum Howler Favourite 20 Canadian Whiskies: #11 – Alberta Premium

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 12, 2019

Alberta Premium is a brand that doesn’t get a whole lot exposure outside of my home Province. It’s not that the brand is unknown, Jim Murray did name it the Best Whisky in Canada for about five years in a row in the mid to late 2000’s; but after that initial hype died down the brand has sort of settled back into the rear view of the consumer’s consciousness.

And that is a pity, as Alberta Premium was, for the longest stretch of time, one of (if not the only) 100% pure rye grain production whiskies in the entire world. The recent rediscovery and popularity of the rye grain is largely because of the Alberta Premium brand.

I think the reason why the brand gets so little love, is the terrible bottle (and label) which houses the whisky. The entire presentation screams bottom shelf and retro 70s.

Frankly, whenever I grab a bottle to pour for friends who have never tried the spirit, I am greeted with dismay as they believe I have chosen a sub par economy brand to share instead of some of my good stuff. My explanations of the quality within usually falls on deaf ears, and this reinforces the fact that if ever there was a spirit in need of an image change, it is Alberta Premium.

Despite all of this, I almost always have a bottle on hand. Although there are now quite a few other 100 % rye grain whiskies being sold right now. For myself this is the original, and because of its enormous versatility, it is my favourite 100 % rye whisky.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Alberta Premium 100 % Rye Whisky

 ” … The breezes above the glass bring me the scents and smells of a fruit-filled rye with additional notes of vanilla. Fine oak spices and a touch of citrus zest mingle within the fruity rye smells …”

Chimo!

Note: We are just past half way through my list of favourites. Understand, these are ‘favourites’ which does not necessarily the ‘best’ Canadian Whiskies. Economy and versatility have played an enormous role in my choices this year. The wonderful cocktail I suggested at the conclusion of my review of Alberta Premium illustrates just how versatile this economy whisky is.  And it has all that versatility without sacrificing flavour.

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