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Posts Tagged ‘Alberta Premium’

Review: Alberta Premium 20 Year Old Canadian Whisky 

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 4, 2020

Alberta Premium is a brand of Canadian Whisky made in Calgary, by Alberta Distillers Ltd. (owned by Beam-Suntory). The Whisky was released in the fall of 2019 along with a companion release Alberta Premium Cask Strength (reviewed here). Alberta Distillers own the oldest distillery in Western Canada. The distillery is famous for its rich 100 % rye grain whiskies which are bottled under the Alberta Premium label. They also sell bulk 100 % rye whisky to other brand owners.

As indicated Alberta Premium is famous for its 100% rye grain whisky, although it should be pointed out that the brand has also featured releases such as Dark Horse which were not made from 100% rye grain. In the case of the Alberta Premium 20 Year Old, the grain blend is not disclosed on the label. Rather than stating unequivocally that the whisky is a 100 % rye grain whisky, the label instead makes the statement that the whisky is Canadian Rye Whisky, and the display box the whisky arrives in states that it is 100 % Canadian Rye Whisky. I might be splitting hairs here, but terminology is important. All Canadian whisky which features a rye forward flavour profile can properly be called Canadian Rye Whisky whether or not rye grain is the dominant grain, and stating that a whisky is 100 % Canadian Rye Whisky is not the same thing as stating that the whisky is 100% Rye Grain Canadian Whisky.

Unless it is specifically indicated in an unequivocal manner, I think it is best to assume that Alberta Premium 20 Year Old is a blended grain whisky.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Alberta Premium 20 Year Old Canadian Whisky 

“… I began to notice the rye and fine oak spice building now accompanied by lots of dusty grain and straw. Sour fruit and canned apricots begin to unravel from the rye and I also notice a lightly floral or perhaps herbal flair with hints of mint, licorice, and citrus followed by punky caramel corn, leather and pungent baking spices …”

Please enjoy my review of this new whisky from Alberta Premium.

Chimo!

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Review: Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 1, 2020

Alberta Premium is a brand of Canadian Whisky made in Calgary, by Alberta Distillers Ltd. (owned by Beam-Suntory). The Whisky was released in the fall of 2019 along with a companion release Alberta Premium Cask Strength. Alberta Distillers own the oldest distillery in Western Canada. The distillery is famous for its rich 100 % rye grain whiskies which are bottled under the Alberta Premium label. They also sell bulk 100 % rye whisky to other brand owners.

As indicated Alberta Premium is famous for its 100% rye grain whisky, although it should be pointed out that the brand has also featured releases such as Dark Horse which were not made from 100% rye grain. In the case of this Alberta Premium offering the whisky is not only labeled as a 100 % Rye Grain Canadian Whisky, it is also bottled at cask strength (65.1% abv.).

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye Whisky

“… the whisky began to show its strength throwing into the breezes rich smells of oak, toffee, maple, grain, leather burlap and almond. There is a healthy dollop of alcohol alongside these initial scents warning me that I had better take this dram seriously and keep my nose out of my glass …”

Please enjoy my review of this new whisky from Alberta Distillers.

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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The Anvil

Posted by Arctic Wolf on August 13, 2018

While driving to work this morning I learned that Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart has passed away. The Anvil was one half of one the greatest Tag Teams in the history of Professional Wrestling, The Hart Foundation, which consisted of Jim ‘The Anvil” Neidhart who was the muscle and Brett “The Hitman” Hart, who provided the finesse.

Neidhart honed his talent while wrestling for the Stampede Wrestling Promotion based in Calgary Alberta Canada and has been followed by his daughter Natalya,who has become a World Champion in her own right currently performing for the Raw brand for World Wrestling Entertainment.

My thoughts and prayers are with all who have been saddened by this loss.

About a year ago I designed a cocktail inspired by Jim Neidhart, and I thought I would share it once again as my small tribute to the many hours of entertainment The Anvil provided for me as a wrestling fan.

The Anvil

2 1/2 oz Alberta Premium 100% Rye Whisky
1/2 tsp Raspberry-Beet(down) Jelly
2 dashes Fees Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters
Ice
Coil of (Lemon Peel)

Add the first three ingredients to a rocks glass over the ice cubes
Stir until the Raspberry-Beet Jelly is fully dissolved
Add Ice
Garnish with a Kiwi or Lemon Peel peel

Please Enjoy Responsibly!

 

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The Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown (#30 – #26)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 28, 2016

rum-howler-top-50-2016Today I feature the last of the 5 whisky groupings in my 2016 countdown. Beginning on November 30th, I slow the pace and reveal each Canadian Whisky individually one per day until Christmas Even when the best Canadian Whisky of 2016 will be revealed. If you are interested in how the Countdown has progressed so far, here is a link to the growing list:

The Rum Howler – Top 50 Canadian Whiskies of 2016

The five whiskies revealed today feature none which are priced over $40.00, and in fact two of these spirits, Windsor Canadian, and Alberta Premium, can be found for under $25.00 here in Alberta while the Mt. Logan 5 Year Old (a new whisky brand) and the Centennial brands each check in just under the $30.00 mark. All of  this reinforces one of the major reasons why I love Canadian Whisky so much; the spirit offers outstanding quality at prices which are much more affordable than other whisky styles. Perhaps this is why the spirit is seeing such a resurgence in sales across Canada and indeed throughout North America.

Here are the next five spirits in my Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown (#30 – #26):

Windsor Canadian#30  Windsor Canadian

“… The initial nose is very typically ‘Canadian’ with firm butterscotch scents lying alongside a fruit-filled spicy rye. As I let the glass sit, some dusty ripened grain notes develop along with accompanying scents of straw and the chaff. There is a bit of dry grassiness reminiscent of timothy and foxtail and some zesty notes of orange and lemon peel. Rounding out the nose are a few bits of cinnamon and dark brown sugar …”

Albeta Premium SAM_2482#29  Alberta Premium 100 % Rye Canadian 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. As I allow the whisky to breathe, some nice smells of butterscotch and maple come forward and the overt fruitiness gains momentum. I receive impressions of canned apricots and pears from the glass, and  I also sense a light touch of almond in the breezes …”

mt-logan-5-sam_2807#28  Mt. Logan 5 Year Old Canadian Rye Whisky

“… Fine oak spices and rye grain drift upwards with a light aroma of butterscotch and vanilla. The breezes above the glass also carry hints of baking spice (ginger and cinnamon), some light tobacco smells, and aromas of dusty grain fields ripe and ready to be swathed. Perhaps there is a touch of corn in the breezes which could be a remnant from the charred American white oak barrels …”

Centennial LE SAM_1626#27)  Centennial Rye Whisky (NAS)

“… I let the glass sit for a while, and noticed that the rye grain was joined by wood spices and these spicy accents seem to grow in the breezes. I also notice a light almost bitter astringency in the air which seems to be related to the building rye spice. As the glass continues to decant, some dry grassy tobacco comes to the fore and a light fruitiness is evolving from the rye which is also filling the air with light scents of ginger …”

Crown Royal Black sam_2670#26  Crown Royal Black

“… Caramel, butterscotch and maple are melded with flavours of oak spice and cedar. Canned fruit (in particular apricots) is obvious and dark fruit (dates and the skin of black cherries) seems to be hinted at. There is a bit of clove, a touch of cinnamon and dash of spicy wood sap. Finally under everything else is a certain dry tannic bitterness that puckers my mouth, but which seems to be just the right foil …”

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Please enjoy my Countdown of the Best Canadian Whiskies of 2016. Stay tuned as the countdown continues on November 30 with the number 25 Canadian Whisky, Chimo!

Posted in Awards, Canadian Whisky, Extras, Whisk(e)y, Whisky Review | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Rum Howler 2016 Top 50 Canadian Whisky Countdown (#30 – #26)

 
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