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Posts Tagged ‘Canadian Whisky’

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For Father’s Day – Canadian Whisky on a Budget

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 11, 2012

My wife asked me the other day which whisky I would like for Father’s Day. I thought about it for a few moments, and I decided that rather than giving her only one choice, I would give her a list of Canadian Whiskies to choose from. I decided this list should be easy on her wallet, but just as important, each whisky on the list would be one which I would be happy to receive.

The list I cam up with was a selection of twelve budget-priced Canadian Whiskies, all of which are under thirty dollars in my locale, Receiving any whisky from this selection as a father’s day gift, will suit me just fine.

And so in no particular order, I give you my list of 12 great budget priced Canadian Whiskies for Father’s Day. Beside each whisky is the approximate price here in Edmonton.
(You may click each selection to read my reviews of each particular whisky if you wish.)

Centennial 10 Year Old Canadian Rye Whisky   ($25.95)

Black Velvet Deluxe    ($20.95)

Alberta Springs Canadian Whisky   ($22.50)

Highwood Canadian Rye Whisky    ($19.95)

Wiser’s Small Batch   ($25.95)

Gibson’s Finest Sterling Whisky   ($24.95)

Century Reserve 21 Year Old   ($29.95)

Potters Special Old Rye Whisky   ($19.95)

Wiser’s De Luxe   ($29.95)

Gibson’s Finest 12 Year Old   ($29.95)

Schenley OFC Canadian Whisky   ($20.95)

Hiram Walker Special Old   ($23.00)

Happy shopping!

Cheers and Happy Father’s Day!


Posted in Canadian Whisky, Howls, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , | 3 Comments »

Chinook Whisky Revisited

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 7, 2012

If you look at the picture to the left, you can see that Chinook Canadian Whisky has undergone a bit of a facelift since I reviewed it last year (Click here for the 2011 review). It arrives in a new PET Bottle, and it has a brand new label. Gone is the 5-Year age statement, and gone as well is the reference to being distilled, aged and blended in Calgary, Alberta. Rather, the label now simply says “aged and blended in Southern Alberta” with no reference to where the whisky is distilled.

When I first saw the new bottle, I was surprised, and of course my first question was, “Has the blend changed?”

To help me answer that question, I was sent a new bottle for review from the brand owner Mcbsw Sales Company Inc., such that I could revisit the Chinook Whisky here on my website.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“… My first impression as the new whisky crossed my palate for the first time, was that the sweetness and the fruitiness have been ramped up in this blend. Stronger caramel flavours were obvious as was a spicy green pepper lingering in the background. Caramel apples, slightly sour purple grapes, canned apricots, and canned pears all seem to find their way across my palate in what is a real mixture of fruit flavour. I taste some rye-like spiciness which resembles ginger and cloves with maybe just a dash of cinnamon …”

You may read my full review here:

Review: Chinook Whisky (2012)

I have included a nice recipe which works well with the Chinook Whisky called the Buckeroo.

Please enjoy the review, and do try a Buckeroo.  Cheers!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Cocktails & Recipes, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

FORTY CREEK PORT WOOD RESERVE – RESERVATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 17, 2012

It was announced on the Forty Creek Website about two weeks ago that the second edition of the FORTY CREEK PORT WOOD RESERVE will be released for sale in September, 2012. This whisky marks the sixth special release for the distillery, and there will be only 6,600 bottles of Port Wood available. (The first release sold out before any bottles left Ontario.) However you can reserve your own numbered bottle if you act before June 7th, as once again Forty Creek is offering Canadian Whisky connoisseurs the opportunity to reserve their own bottle number of Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve. Customers can reserve any number between 0003 and 6,600 (I have already reserved bottle numbers 128, 129 and 130).

The reservation opportunity for numbered bottles began on May 7, and will continue only until 5:00 p.m. on June 7, 2012. As always, the reserved bottles must be purchased and picked up at the Forty Creek Distillery in Grimsby, Ontario, on the scheduled release day for the whisky in September. The distillery is unable (due to provincial and federal regulations) to ship the reserved bottles in the mail or across provincial borders.

Bottles numbers are reserved on a first come, first served basis. Port Wood Reserve will retail for $69.95.

For more information about Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve and how to reserve your personally numbered bottles click here.

You may read my review of the original (first) edition of Portwood Reserve here (to date I believe this is John Hall’s finest Whisky):

My reviews for other Forty Creek Special Releases may be read here:

Cheers everyone!

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , | 3 Comments »

Introducing: Crown Royal Limited XR LaSalle Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 16, 2012

Crown Royal has just unveiled their new Crown Royal XR® LaSalle Whisky. The previous edition of Crown Royal XR®, (click here for my review) was s a unique bottling of Crown Royal Whisky, which included in the blend, the last aged stocks from the Crown Royal Waterloo Distillery which burned down in 1993. This latest Crown Royal XR® blend includes select remaining whisky stocks from the renowned LaSalle Distillery in Quebec, Canada. Apparently the Crown Royal XR® will be an on-going series, with each Crown Royal XR blend created with the inclusion rare batch whisky stocks and distributed for a limited time only.

This present edition, Crown Royal XR® LaSalle, was ‘handcrafted” by Crown Royal Master Blender, Andrew MacKay. Mr. MacKay actually began his apprenticeship with Crown Royal at the LaSalle Distillery. The creation of this new XR whiskey was therefore a uniquely personal experience for the Master Blender who stated:

“LaSalle holds a historic place in the whisky world and is incredibly special to me, because it’s where I first learned about creating memorable blends. To be able to incorporate these Extra Rare LaSalle whiskies into the new Crown Royal XR is an honor, and I hope loyal adult Crown Royal drinkers enjoy it responsibly – whether toasting to a monumental anniversary or simply gathering with friends and family on the weekend.”

The LaSalle Distillery is significant to Crown Royal, as it was the first distillery opened by the Bronfman Family (a legendary name within the spirits industry). The Bronfmans were responsible for the creation of the original Crown Royal Whisky in 1939 to commemorate King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Canada.

The new Crown Royal XR Limited LaSalle’s packaging continues the original presentation theme established with the first installment in this ‘Extra Rare’ Whisky Series. The uniquely shaped bottle which resembles a crown, the deluxe glass stopper, and the iconic velvet bag will remain the same in shape and design; but, the new display box and velvet bag now reflect a royal blue color to echo the regal history of the product.

Crown Royal XR will be available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $129.99 per 750 ml bottle (bottled at 40 % abv.) beginning in early June. As was the case with the inaugural installment in the ‘Extra Rare’ series, the new Crown Royal XR will be available for a limited time only.

Although I have not yet tasted the new Crown Royal Limited XR LaSalle Whiskey, I shall be sure to provide a comprehensive review as soon as I do.

Here are some links to my previous Crown Royal Whisky Reviews:

Posted in Canadian Whisky, Whisk(e)y | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Introducing: Crown Royal Limited XR LaSalle Whisky

Book Review: Canadian Whisky: the portable expert

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 15, 2012

I love Canadian Whisky! It is smooth and tasty, and (in my locale at least) extremely well priced compared to the other whisky offerings on the store shelf. This means that even the premium brands sell at prices which allows me to mix them in cocktails without guilt, and some of the super premium brands are cheaper than the average price of a single malt scotch (Last month I purchased 3 bottles of a 25-year-old pure rye whisky for less than 90 bucks combined!)

So when I found out that my whisky reviewing friend, Davin de Kergommeaux, had written a book devoted to Canadian Whisky; I was very eager to give it a good read. Davin, like myself is a true devotee of our great Canadian Spirit. He has created his own website (Canadian Whisky) where he publishes various articles about our mutual passion and of course his unrivaled reviews. He has also been instrumental in launching the first ever fully independent Canadian Whisky Awards! These awards have highlighted not only the best tasting whiskies made in Canada, but they also awarded special achievements by Canadian Whisky Distillers in areas of innovation, brand extension, and media/advertising.

I received my copy of Canadian Whisky: the portable expert about three weeks ago, and I thought I would share my thoughts on Davin’s scribblings here on my website.

Here is a link to those thoughts:

Book Review: Canadian Whisky: the portable expert

Note: The book should already be in your local bookstore as it was released on May 8. I believe it is available through Amazon, Chapters/Indigo, McNallyRobinson, and several other on-line booksellers.

Posted in Books, Canadian Whisky, Extras, Howls, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Book Review: Canadian Whisky: the portable expert

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