TAP 8 Rye (Sherry Finished)
Review: TAP 8 Rye (Sherry Finished) 84.5/100
A Review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted on October 26, 2017
TAP 8 Rye (Sherry Finished) is a blend 8 year old pot distilled Canadian Whiskies which are then blended with Spanish Amontillado sherry. According to its LCBO listing it is produced in Quebec by Maison Des Futailles. It appears to be distributed in North America by Prestige Spirits.
The moniker TAP 8 appears to be a play on words with the number 8 representing the 8 years of aging the Canadian (rye) Whisky is aged and TAP refers to the tapping of maple trees as the original TAP 8 357 Canadian Whisky was flavoured with real maple syrup.
In The Bottle 4.5/5
The bottle presentation for the TAP 8 Sherry Finished Whisky is shown to the left. I like the medium sized squat bottle with the mid-sized neck for easy pouring. The label is quite satisfactory.
Tap 8 Rye is bottled at 41.5 % alcohol by volume.
In the Glass 8.5/10
When poured into my glencairn the whisky shows me a nice amber colour. When I tile and twirl that glass I see the whisky has a thickened consistency which deposits relatively fat legs. Some of the legs trickle slowly and some are quite stubborn. I believe the Amontillado Sherry added to the blend would account for those legs which are fat and slow moving.
The initial nose is full of dusty rye with hints of pencil shavings and wood spice. It takes a while but some sweetness begins to arrive more like butterscotch than maple, as well as hints of raisins and canned apricots. As I let the glass breathe the impression of sweetness builds threatening to overtake the rye.
When I nose my empty glass after the tasting session I can smell clean rye scents again and some nice milk chocolate aromas.
In the Mouth 50/60
If you do not mind things just a touch on the sweet side of the fence then you will really like the Tap 8 Rye which I would describe as a spicy rye whisky accented by butterscotch and milk chocolate. If you like your rye whisky clean and dry, then the TAP 8 Rye will be a whisky you should pass on as the sherry enhancement appears to have produced a sweeter than average whisky.
I detect some additional flavours of cola and raisins and some almond and walnut nuttiness underneath. I find I can sip the whisky easily but I am finding the extra sweetness mildly irritating. I like the whisky much better when I add a dollop of dry ginger ale.
In The Throat 13/15
I like the finishing flavours of rye and milk chocolate which linger on the palate after the swallow.
The Afterburn 8.5/10
If there is such a thing as a dessert whisky, then TAP 8 Rye just might be it. This will be a little too sweet for some, but it will be just right for those who have just a little sweet tooth.
You may read some of my other Whisky Reviews (click the link) if you wish to have some comparative reviews.
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As always you may interpret the scores I provide as follows.
0-25 A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you.
26-49 Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this.
50 -59 You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn’t.
60-69 Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again.
70-74 Now we have a fair mixing rum or whisky. Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79 You may begin to serve this to friends, again probably still cocktail territory.
80-84 We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails)
85-89 Excellent for sipping or for mixing!
90-94 Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself.
95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop
98+ I haven’t met this bottle yet…but I want to.
Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be more familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal scale as follows:
70 – 79.5 Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer)
80 – 89.5 Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer)
90 – 95 Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.)
95.5+ Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)
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