In late 2019 the choice makers at Alberta Distillers – or at Beam Suntory, ADL’s company overlords – lastly gave Canadian rye lovers what that they had been wanting for years.
Alberta Premium launched Alberta Premium 20 12 months Previous to attraction to the “uncommon and refined” crowd; they launched Alberta Premium Cask Power Batch 1, bottled at 65.1% ABV to please the “gimme the jet gasoline” crowd. Each are 100% rye whiskies and each induced fairly the stir within the Canadian whisky neighborhood. Rye followers channelled their inside Dwight Schrute whereas elbowing and punching the air and shouting “YES! YES! YES!”
That mentioned, I could be a little bit of a curmudgeon at instances, and I’m hesitant to half with my hard-earned cash on one thing introduced with this a lot fanfare. Happily, a pal supplied me with a pattern of Alberta Premium Cask Power Batch 1 in order that I may attempt it earlier than taking the plunge on a full bottle. Whereas it’s “solely” about $65 CAD, I’m nonetheless cautious with all my whisky cash. House in my whisky cupboard and storage comes at a premium (pardon the pun) and I attempt to assume critically and ideally pattern a whisky earlier than shopping for a bottle.
I’ve included three questions I typically ask myself on the finish of every evaluate. On-line whisky opinions require the reader to be taught a brand new language, so to talk. The reader should be taught the reviewer’s type, preferences, and idiosyncrasies, and plenty of readers would not have the time or vitality to undergo this course of. My three questions goal to offer an summary that’s straight to the purpose.
It takes an particularly disagreeable whisky for me to say “no thanks” to a free glass. A whisky I might order in a bar or pub isn’t essentially nice, somewhat it’s inoffensive at worst. If I might (or have) bought a bottle, meaning the whisky is nice sufficient and affords sufficient worth for cash to take up worthwhile actual property in my dwelling. As is the case with any on-line whisky evaluate, your mileage could differ.
Alberta Premium Cask Power Batch 1 (65.1% ABV) – Assessment
Color: Bronze.
On the nostril: Candy butterscotch jumps out immediately, adopted by peppermint, darkish brown sugar and salted butter. This smells like dessert; there’s an “virtually rum” notice in right here that’s actually fascinating. It turns into even sweeter and “rummier” with the addition of water. I’ll have developed diabetes whereas nosing this. Perhaps it’s the “rum, brown sugar, and butter” combo working by way of the ability of suggestion, however I feel I perceived raisins in there as nicely. Did I point out butter and brown sugar? I additionally oak, cloves, and a little bit of spearmint (or peppermint; I can’t actually differentiate the 2).
Within the mouth: Wealthy, wealthy arrival; salted caramel, toasted and buttered rye bread, brown sugar, one thing barely vegetal and “inexperienced,” then black pepper. The end is lengthy and warming. There’s extra rye bread, toasted oak, cloves, some pink apple skins, and brown sugar. The peppermint flavour seems like a depth cost on the tail finish of the end. I feel I’d really like this one higher with a contact (1/2 teaspoon) of water.
Conclusions:
This rye reveals us precisely why WhistlePig selected to supply a lot whisky from ADL. It’s wealthy, complicated, and spice ahead. That is what most rye lovers need rye to be. I do know this gained some form of “World’s Greatest” one thing or different award which makes folks need to poo-poo it (as a result of that’s how the web works), however this is a superb providing. I’ve not tried the opposite batches but however when you discover batch 1 within the wild I heartily endorse it. At $65 per bottle on the time of buy, Alberta Premium Cask Power Batch 1 was a no brainer. Regardless of being Canadian, Alberta Premium Cask Power rye is daring and unapologetic. No doot aboot it, eh?
- Would I settle for a glass of this if it have been supplied to me? Gratefully
- Would I order this in a bar or pub? With out hesitation
- Would I buy a full bottle? Based mostly on this pattern, I did.
Rating: 7/10
There’s no straightforward approach to say this. My expertise with Alberta Premium Aged 20 Years has been terrible and has gotten steadily worse. Whereas this whisky has typically gotten middle-of-the-road to optimistic opinions (together with on this website), I don’t prefer it. I don’t prefer it in any respect. The truth is, I hate it. I’m hesitant to share this evaluate as a result of I’ve preferred each different Alberta Premium I’ve tried, and I don’t need to be adverse for the sake of being adverse or “edgy.” That mentioned, I paid cash for this bottle of whisky, and it’s been worse than a disappointment. There’s no approach to sugarcoat this: it’s dangerous. Aggressively and obnoxiously dangerous. Think about William Shatner and Yoko Ono singing Puccini arias with Nickelback taking part in the function of their “orchestra.” Since I’m certain to attract pushback from sure quarters for what I’m about to publish, permit me to handle a number of the seemingly criticisms:
- “Joel, possibly you simply don’t like Canadian whisky.” OK, let’s have a look at a few of my rankings of Canadian whiskies: Alberta Premium Cask Power (7/10), Gooderham & Worts 49 Wellington (7/10), Lot 40 Cask Power 11 12 months Previous (9/10).
- “Joel, possibly you solely like greater proof whiskies, you cask power snob!”. Let’s have a look at my rankings of whiskies within the 40-45% ABV vary: J.P. Wiser’s Final Barrels 14 12 months Previous (6/10), Wiser’s Wendel Clark Rye (6/100), Lot 40 (6/10).
- “Joel, possibly you don’t have the palate to completely recognize older Canadian whiskies.” Let’s see what my file says: Canadian Membership 40 12 months Previous (7/10), J.P. Wiser’s Seasoned Oak 19 12 months Previous (7/10).
- “Simply since you don’t prefer it, it doesn’t make it dangerous whisky.” All tasting notes and opinions are inherently subjective and, for my part, that is actually dangerous whisky. Many will disagree, and that’s tremendous. However I spent my very own cash, so I’ll let you know the reality.
Alberta Premium Aged 20 Years – Assessment
Color: Burnt orange.
On the nostril: Nail polish, galvanized steel, pine sap, and an industrial notice paying homage to snowmobile exhaust on a extremely chilly day. It sounds bizarre, I do know, nevertheless it’s there. I can’t say it was nice. No, I’m not making an attempt to overplay the Canadian stereotype, nevertheless it’s there and it’s distracting. That is disagreeable. Very disagreeable. After an extended relaxation within the glass (30-40 minutes), there are some typical (albeit refined) rye notes; cardamom, black pepper, nutmeg.
Within the mouth: There’s nothing elegant, mature or “luxurious” right here. The arrival is just too tame and delicate, and the feel is skinny. I discover some faint fruitiness with plums and apricots, then butterscotch, some oak, and just a little little bit of orange zest and vanilla, the end is mercifully quick with some arduous caramel sweet and a contact of peppermint, however the pine sap and exhaust fumes push ahead and remind me that this isn’t the whisky I’m on the lookout for.
Conclusions:
This whisky will get worse each time I attempt it. I’m disillusioned by the low proof; 42% ABV makes it really feel skinny and weak. The nail polish aroma refuses to dissipate. I cannot emphasize sufficient how sturdy and off-putting this aroma is. Even my spouse, who not often feedback on my whiskies, requested “Are you ingesting nail polish?” from throughout the room once I poured this. Perhaps my expectations have been too excessive, and I hoped it might get higher with time. Perhaps I’ve received some lingering anger over having paid good cash for this terrible whisky. Who is aware of? I actually wished to love this. I actually did. However I hate it. This Alberta Premium 20 12 months Previous is downright terrible to my nostril and palate. The rest of the bottle will seemingly keep in my cupboard, solely to be opened when somebody asks me “What’s the worst whisky you’ve ever had?” Maybe it’s harsh, however I’m nothing if not trustworthy. How un-Canadian of me. #sorrynotsorry
- Would I settle for a glass of this if it have been supplied to me? Not in your life. I’d somewhat drink water.
- Would I order this in a bar or pub? I’d order a Zima earlier than paying for this whisky.
- Would I purchase one other bottle? You’re kidding me, proper? No.
Rating: 1/10
Alberta Premium produces a number of the world’s greatest rye. Some years in the past, they launched two aged bottlings: a 25 12 months previous and a 30 12 months previous. Sadly, this predated my foray into the world of cautious whisky tasting so I’ve by no means tried them. These releases have since turn out to be the stuff of legends and even those that are inclined to shrink back from Canadian whisky have sung their praises. A very fastidious bothy-dwelling YouTube whisky reviewer rated Alberta Premium 30 12 months previous 89/100, which is an extremely beneficial evaluate from that notable malt-mate.
Maybe I anticipate extra cask affect from an aged (18+ years) whisky than what the 20-year-old launch supplied. Given my largely optimistic expertise with Alberta Premium, I stay optimistic vis-à-vis future releases.
Alberta Premium Cask Power picture courtesy of Flask Positive Wines. 20 12 months Previous picture courtesy of Taylor.
