Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye

Rating: X/23 This isn't a normal tasting because I'm trying this in a cocktail. I hear that this is great in an old fashioned and it's Canadian, so I'm thinking I need to try it in a maple syrup old fashioned. I won't be giving this a formal rating, but I'll be making general statements and maybe giving the cocktail a rating. I'm trying 25ml of this with 5ml of grade A maple syrup (I decided to keep it clean rather than going with grade B funk), and a single dash of Angostura bitters. I did take a small sip of this, which I compared with Whistlepig Piggyback. I got a big rye flavor here. The Whistlepig was funkier and lighter (the latter being far from surprising considering the proof difference), but it still had a genuine rye character. This has more alcohol, but a cleaner flavor. There's plenty of rye spice and bitter yet crisp and clean herbal flavor. I'm really digging this neat. Still, I see why I didn't love it neat previously because there isn't a ton of variation here. Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye (17/23) is richer, fuller, and smoother. It has less of that genuine rye bite to it, but it still does have bitter herbs and some freshness. I'm inclined to think that this is not quite as good. Based on the 5ml of sips I have available, that is. I do get a bit of tropical fruit that reminds me of Willett Family Estate 4 (15/23). In fact, side by side, this is sort of like a brighter, less mellow version of the Willett. I think that I can see an argument for this being up to a 17, but I don't think that I can really make a formal statement to that effect in these circumstances. I could also believe that this is a 14. Wow, the Willett sure has a lot of complexity. Yeah, I'm definitely not upping this. Lots of spice and definite alcohol here, but it's so clean and crisp. It does kind of taste like the quintessential rye. I'd love to try it side by side with Whistlepig 10, which I find to have a lot of rye character, but also to be very boring. Considering that I prefer the Whistlepig PiggyBack to the 10, I think that this being quite like the 10 would not necessarily make it all that great. OK, but I've finally used 5/6 of my sample to make that old fashioned I promised. Wow, I can ramble. This is a since combination of sweet and spicy and bitter. This is sweeter and more decadent than this is on its own, but I suppose that is unsurprising. Despite not being a huge component here, the nuances of the maple syrup come out. For anyone using maple syrup to make their old fashioned, definitely don't use the cheap stuff. At least use actual maple syrup instead of that corn syrup that masquerades as it. The richness here is great and the complexity is also acceptable. I'd like to try some more variations with different ryes and maple syrups, but I unfortunately don't have a lot of options on hand. I was a little underwhelmed, but a spritz of orange really pulls this together. I think that this could be the base of a great old fashioned, but I'd need to be able to spend more time shopping it. As it is, this is delightful, but it isn't on the level of a neat pour of a great spirit. But, hey, I prefer neat spirits and set high standards. The fact that I sipped through this quickly and was surprised and disappointed when I hit the bottom says a lot. Putting some other cocktails next to this, it really stands out. I don't know whether that is a statement about the whiskey or about the cocktail, but it really makes me want more. Again, I'm not going to be giving this a rating. I'd definitely make this at home again though if I had a bottle, though likely with slight changes to enhance it. One thing I would give a shot, would definitely be using grade B maple syrup for a bolder, less vegetal flavor. Thank you @pkingmartin for sharing this sample with me!

I am very happy to have rediscovered this whiskey, as I missed an opportunity to buy it several years ago while traveling and felt regret ever since. I've had it somewhere at a tasting longue, but don't recall anything that's worth remembering. Even still, the reason I remain excited and hopeful is simply because of this being a Canadian product, since some of the most quality rye grain comes out of the Canada. The country is big enough and I am ignorant enough that I don't know which regions grow the "best" rye, what those differences might be, and if there even are major differences, but I do know that some of the best rye whiskeys I've had have either been from Canada, or distilled elsewhere using Canadian rye grain. Adding to that fact that this is cask strength and a 100% rye mashbill gives me very high hopes that I hope the flavor can live up to. At an impressive 127.4 proof and the lack of added water after leaving the barrel, I'm a bit shocked at how light the color is, especially since charred barrels are used. In the end, I'm guessing this is due to a very short time in the barrels overall, or perhaps a very light char level used. Despite this, the nose is very simplistic and yet creates an air of a very full body. Notes of caramel and familiar wood sugars tell me the barrel did impart plenty here, but is balanced well alongside freshly cracked rye grain, with notes of spicy cinnamon and a floral background, but closer to grass than anything blooming. Not quite the best balance of sweet and spicy that I've encountered, but by smell alone, it's definitely very close to the top. Intially in the mouth, the sweetness leads the way, specifically with caramel and basic sugar, not quite flavorful enough to be wood sugar. The spicy notes come through with some air in the form of the familiar cinnamon, but doesn't penetrate very far into the gums like I would have expected of both the grain and proof. A strange flavor amalgam begins to surface near the finish, almost like that of a charcoal tinge, but not as aggressive. Thinking on it more along with a few more sips, my guess is that I may be tasting some of the unique minerality that could be present in the mountain water that was used. This isn't quite off-putting, especially if you continue to refresh the palate with continued sips; this is notably easy because, even with half the glass gone, the ABV isn't potent enough to slow tasting. There's one thing that I've learned for certain when tasting Canadian rye whiskeys versus whiskeys made using Canadian rye: every Canadian-distilled whiskey has been highly unique. In the case of this one, my assumption of the specific water used delivers a finish unlike any other rye whiskey, despite the immediate and intermediate flavors still being fairly predictable. A good representation of the "Great White North," but definitely outside the bounds of being worth it for the price, especially because the proof isn't that impressive as far as tasted than one would think at this high a level.

I've had my eye on this one for a while before purchasing. There's been some hype around it, and I love rye, especially cask strength, though generally that love finds me buying Knob Rye Single Barrel Select for 60$. Although I did pick up a Sagamore 6 Year CS I haven't opened yet too. And that was $55. (Not to mention I just came back from my beach vacation with Sagamore 8 Year, Stellum Rye, and Barrell Seagrass...I'm thinking I might be in for a treat with all of those...and please don't mention Pikesville, I'm aware of it, my friends, it sounds like a wonderland in a bottle, and I'll get there soon). This one here was going for $70 before they put it on sale for $60, and I figured it was time to pull the tigger, and having had this, I might be willing to pull that trigger again since it's still on sale. Let's start off with a bit of honesty: this is WAY better than a whisky with a twist cap has any right to be. I mean the bottle design isn't terrible, but the twist cap screams low rent. Of course, Canadian whisky companies do know how to dress a pig (Crown Royal tote bags anyone?), but who knew they might take a beauty like this and put a pig nose on it? In any case, the whisky inside the bottle more than makes up for the twist cap. On the nose this bad boy is rich and luscious: spice heavy with rye and cinnamon, vanilla backbone with graham cracker and a touch of cherry. The palate continues that spice heavy journey adding that odd touch of Copper Tone Suntan Lotion that a lot of cask strength ryes take on along with the Earl Grey bergamot/citrus as well as off-brand cola, not so much Coke or Pepsi as RC. The finish is long as a summer's day and hits even more heavily with the rye spice. It makes your tongue kind of tingly, you know, like when you used to climb the ropes in gym class? Oh wait, maybe that wasn't your tongue. Anyhow... For a 132 proof pour, this goes down easy enough on its own, however, I like a shot and a half with a sliver of ice melted in it, which is not unique to this particular brand but how I'm finding I most enjoy almost all cask strength whisky these days. I expected to like this, but if I'm being entirely truthful the result here is a quarter star above where I thought it would be. Sometimes you should believe the hype. With Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye, all the positive stuff you've heard is true.

COLOUR: Dark bronze. LEGS: Very thin clothesline; micro-beads consolidated into bigger drops on the line; then gentle and slowly rolled down the glass like Empress Carlotta's necklace. NOSE: Moderate (3/5); rye spice; some acetone (Sharpie marker); sweet vanilla, caramel & butterscotch; sour green apples; black pepper; herbal dusty hay; drying wood; slightly earthy and rubbery. Not particularly enticing or special. Does not smell like 65% ABV. WITH WATER (10 drops into 15mL): no difference; 10 more drops causes it to fade quite a bit. Score 7/10 TASTE: Hugely powerful (5/5) & richly flavoured; lots of sweet vanilla & caramel; giant hit of rye spice; a massive explosion of flavour in the mouth; very drying; all fruity, sweet & spicy; vanilla & butterscotch; black pepper & cinnamon; herbal and woody. Now you can taste the full 65% ABV. Huge & flavourful mouthfeel; very very tasty, but a but rough on the edges due to youth. WITH WATER: a little tamed and more manageable; fruity spice elevates; still very drying; 10 more drops brings forth some gentle creaminess, which is quite nice; always the burning spicy rye though. Score 9.5/10 FINISH: Long and numbing; sweet spice lingers. WITH WATER: dryer and longer. Score 9/10 OVERALL: Really excellent, strong, fruity, sweet & spicy dram; my tongue is numb! Get as many bottles as you can. (2021-10-02) First impressions: really strong and flavourful; like a sherry bomb (think Glenfarclas 105) with maple syrup and toasted rye bread; needs a loooong time in the glass to open up its flavours; first sip is devastating on the senses but subsequent sips are excellent; I didn't even need to add water; the best of the first three batches by far. Weighted Score 8.7/10 IMAGERY: I'm in the back of a barn just after harvest time; the barn is full to the rafters with fresh grain and dust; there is a chill in the air, but I don't care, coz this bottle is keeping my nice and warm while I goof off and avoid my chores.

As someone who isn't typically drawn to Canadian whisky, Alberta Premium Cask Strength pleasantly shocked me and quickly became one of my favorites, winning me over with it’s power, bold flavors, and warmth on the palate. Immediately, notes of sweet green grass, spearmint, and apricot greet the senses, hinting at the whisky’s complexity and strength. Upon tasting, the whisky delivers a powerful punch of flavors. Apricot dominates, accompanied by bold notes of dried mango or papaya and crisp apple. Subtle undertones of tobacco add depth and complexity, while a refreshing hint of spearmint provides a pleasant twist. The mouthfeel is robust and full-bodied, coating the palate with a velvety, warm texture that enhances the whisky's bold flavors. The finish is long with the assertive fruity notes of apricot lingering alongside muted tobacco. Alberta Premium Cask Strength exemplifies Canadian whisky craftsmanship at its finest, offering a bold and intense experience that transcends typical expectations. For those like me who may not gravitate towards Canadian whisky, this expression stands out as a testament to its quality and complexity. 4.25/5

Aroma - an absolute fruit bomb. Carmel-apple, all kinds of berries, oranges, melon up front. One of the better smelling rye whiskeys I have experienced. Incredibly balanced and inviting. If the palate matched the nose, this is gonna be awesome. Taste - Wow that front and mid-palate is awesome. Tons of spicy rye notes (cinnamon and bugglegum) balanced out with caramel-apples and orange creamsicle notes. The finish is bit long and the hug is pretty significant. I’m really liking this offering. However, I am getting a hard drying..almost medicinal note much later on the finish.like 30-60 seconds after the sip. Overall - The nose is absolutely incredible. Front and mid-palate and beginning of the finish is all outstanding… I wish it stopped there in a sense. The viscosity is awesome, thick and sticks to the palate. But as the finish continues on, there is a sharp drying profile that rears its ugly head and takes away the amazing sweetness that was experienced through 90% of the sip. For the price though, this is one of the best rye whiskies you can find in my opinion.