A lot has been written about whisky sourcing by Non-Distilling Producers, and much more ink has been spent denouncing whisky origin tales of doubtful credibility. I imply, what number of “great-great grandpappies” had secret rye whisky recipes that completely matched as much as MGP’s 95% rye? What a fortuitous occurence!
That stated, I’ve nothing towards sourced whisky per se, as long as corporations are sincere and clear about their practices. Deciding on and mixing whiskies is an under-appreciated artwork type so I’m not towards sourced whiskies outright. Compass Field makes among the most attention-grabbing whiskies I’ve tried, and their choices are 100% sourced. The whiskies I’m reviewing listed below are all sourced, but none declare that theirs was Al Capone’s whisky of selection, or smuggled throughout the Canada-US border by Vito Corleone, or… no matter.
WhistlePig is open about their use of Canadian-made rye, no flight of fancy required. In response to their web site, WhistlePig started with the acquisition of a farm in 2007. After a couple of years of “deep consideration and private reflection we dedicated ourselves to crafting the world’s best and most attention-grabbing Rye Whiskeys.” No, I’m not going to rant about advertising and marketing tales right here. WhistlePig ought to be counseled for not referring to any “secret pre-Prohibition recipe”, however moderately being clear about their course of.
WhistlePig teamed up with the late, nice Grasp Distiller Dave Pickerell and purchased rye whisky from Alberta that “was being profoundly misused.” This 10 12 months Straight Rye is a 100% rye whiskey which was sourced from Alberta Distillers after which re-casked and aged in Vermont. It’s first aged in new American oak and completed in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels.
Because of my buddy Hal for the pattern.
WhistlePig 10 12 months Previous Small Batch Rye – Evaluate
Color: Chestnut.
On the nostril: Surprisingly mushy; vanilla, mild baking spices (cloves, allspice, cinnamon), oak, a little bit of ginger, caramel. With time within the glass, the floral vanilla notes dominate.
Within the mouth: Barely sizzling arrival, inexperienced and vegetal initially with some black pepper, cinnamon, and a little bit of caramel. The end is of medium size however the odd “inexperienced” vegetal word refuses to go away, there’s some cinnamon and black pepper with a bit extra oak and vanilla.
Conclusions:
A good whiskey to make sure, however nothing that strikes my spirit (pun unapologetically meant). The “inexperienced” notes are a bit odd. To be utterly sincere, I discover them somewhat off-putting. I’m glad I waited for a pattern earlier than dropping $100 on a full bottle. I’d seize a bottle if it had been $50 – you understand, to maintain round as an oddity – however at $100 it’s a tough no from me. I can see how this bottle may attraction to some, but it surely’s probably not my most popular fashion of rye whiskey. I need my ryes to be spicy with a little bit of toffee sweetness.
- Would I settle for a glass of this if it was provided to me? I suppose. I don’t wish to be impolite. I’m Canadian, in any case.
- Would I order this in a bar or pub? In all probability not. At $100 for a bottle right here, I can’t think about a pour being well worth the cash with the “pub environment” markup.
- Would I buy a full bottle? No. This isn’t actually in my private wheelhouse.
Rating: 4/10
For many who don’t know: a Howitzer just isn’t solely a long-range artillery weapon, additionally it is hockey slang for a booming slap-shot. The corporate’s advertising and marketing appears to lean closely on army traditions and in addition with Canada’s nationwide obsession. Nonetheless, (spoiler alert) this whisky isn’t actually an enormous daring…something. It’s a mix of 93% corn whisky and seven% barley whisky, aged for 5 years based on their web site.
The small print on the supply of their whiskies aren’t disclosed and, so far as I do know, there isn’t a Howitzer distillery. There may be point out of ex-bourbon barrels on the web site, however no additional particulars. My pattern of Howitzer Canadian Whisky is “double sourced,” so to talk. The whisky itself is sourced and my pattern was generously offered by my buddy Hal. I ought to point out that this tasting was completed blind. I made my notes and scored the whisky with out understanding any particulars about it by any means. I like this format each time attainable, as a result of all expectations and preconceived notions are eliminated and the main focus is uniquely on scent, style, and texture.
Howitzer Canadian Whisky – Evaluate
Color: Auburn.
On the nostril: Shy at first, smells like younger rye, a bit grassy, some solvent aromas, a touch of cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, a little bit of orange zest, caramel, some wooden furnishings polish. With time, the caramel and vanilla change into extra distinguished on the nostril.
Within the mouth: Mild arrival, some caramel, pink apple skins, oak tannins, black tea, surprisingly nice after the shy nostril. The end is brief to medium size, a bit peppery, with only a little bit of rye spice (cardamom and cinnamon principally), and pink apples. The solvent-like ethanol word exhibits up once more.
Conclusions:
Howitzer is an inoffensive and comparatively well-integrated whisky after a shy begin. When tasting this I assumed this was 100% rye whisky – albeit a younger one – primarily based on the flavours when tasted neat. However, as quickly as I added water, these corn whisky notes took over on the end. These of you who’ve learn my opinions or chatted with me know that I’m probably not a fan of that very spirit-forward, dare I say vodka-esque word on the end. In fact, I may very well be assigning blame for these notes to the unsuitable element. I’m no skilled, simply an fanatic.
- Would I settle for a glass of this if provided? Certain, it’s not disagreeable so long as it’s sipped neat.
- Would I order this in a bar or pub? Unlikely, until there was nothing else out there.
- Would I buy a bottle? Not likely.
Rating: 4/10
Bearface is a relative newcomer to the Canadian whisky scene. I first came upon about it again once I ran my very own weblog. I acquired an electronic mail from their gross sales rep/advertising and marketing particular person/model ambassador asking me if I’d tried it. I keep in mind feeling, as Ron Burgundy would say, like I used to be sort of an enormous deal. That stated, they didn’t ship me a free bottle, so I suppose I’m not at Davin de Kergommeaux, Serge Valentin, or Dave Broom’s degree simply but.
The makers of Bearface sourced “7-year-old Canadian whisky from the shores of Lake Huron” (presumably the Canadian Mist distillery, because it’s the one distillery I do know of that matches that description) after which Grasp Blender Andres Faustinelli experimented with “numerous barrel and wooden combos”.
From my correspondence with the corporate and Faustinelli: “This single grain whisky is initially aged in ex-bourbon charred American Oak barrels for no less than seven years. It’s then positioned in tight-grained French Oak ex-wine barrels with over seven years of use for prime finish, wealthy Bordeaux-style wines that Mission Hill are famous for…The ultimate end…is with 3-year-old, air-dried virgin Hungarian Oak.”
Bearface Triple Oak Canadian Whisky – Evaluate
Color: Copper.
On the nostril: Fruity, with a powerful corn whisky (candy, mushy caramels) presence. Maple notes, rose petals, and some solvent/spirit notes at first. However the acetone notes dissipate inside 5-10 minutes and a few oak notes seem alongside some icing sugar and vanilla.
Within the mouth: A lot richer than I anticipated from 42.5% ABV, and a bit darker in flavour too. Amber maple syrup, a touch of oak and spice (cloves principally), pink grapes, vanilla, roses, icing sugar. Very creamy, silky and SMOOTH mouthfeel. (Did I simply use the phrase “easy?” There goes my web avenue cred) The end is medium size, foolish as it might sound, I’m reminded of Cap’N Crunch’s Crunchberries with milk, and with the creamy vanilla and fruity notes lingering. This whisky will get a bit much less attention-grabbing with water, because the fruity and floral notes all however disappear, and the vanilla and caramel dominate. At 85 proof, there’s no want so as to add water. This one is significantly better neat.
Conclusions:
I do not know if there shall be a Bearface distillery or not, however that is an attention-grabbing whisky. I don’t suppose it can change the “candy and pleasant” picture of Canadian whisky, however it’s positively extra attention-grabbing than the caramel and vanilla dominant mixers that dominate our cabinets. There’s no actual chunk, no daring punch which is what lots of people search for in a whisky. Regardless of the “fearless” advertising and marketing and the bear claw marks on the bottle (which is definitely fairly cool wanting), this whisky is extra teddy bear than grizzly bear. That’s to not say it’s dangerous; it’s very candy and creamy, with a contact of fruitiness, very similar to a dessert. It’s a lot richer than I anticipated it to be, and dangerously simple to drink. This might simply change into a staple for informal sipping. At $35 to $40 right here in Ontario, it will get a bump up level for worth. Bearface is unquestionably price your time.
- Would I settle for a glass of this if provided? I might gladly settle for it.
- Would I order this in a bar or pub? Indubitably.
- Would I buy one other bottle? Certain.
Rating: 6/10
WhistlePig picture courtesy of WhistlePig. Howitzer picture courtesy of Connosr. Bearface picture courtesy of Bearface.
