Ensign Red Black Canadian Whisky

Nose - cherry, butterscotch, pecan, mint, corn, black pepper, vanilla, apple, cinnamon, clove, grass, prickly oak, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - mint, apple, cherry, caramel, vanilla, corn, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, grape, ginger, walnut, almond, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium short with earthy mint, caramel, black pepper, and spicy oak flavors. As this is the companion to the standard Ensign Red, I’m doing these reviews head-to-head. Generally, I think the Black is richer, spicier, and hotter than the other. The oak is definitely more present as well. However, the same issues are found here. It’s young, hot, and too sweet. However, I’d still much rather drink this than most other Canadians I’ve tried, particularly the Crown Royal Black, which is horrifying. Overall, I like this a bit more than the standard offering, but not enough to bump it up a notch. This is still below average, but totally drinkable if you have low expectations.

A rich, blended Whisky from Canada, extra-aged & finished in American oak ex-bourbon casks. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grains, wood, dried fruits, herbs & spices; while a rich life adds notes of sweet toffee, oak, & maple; that led to a long & complex death. September 2017 / 2022

Not bad, somewhat smooth when sipping not as good as crown but similar, slight burn at end

Educational tasting... sweet. It’s a sharp sweet, but not a strong sweet smell.

Corn. Some vanilla. Boozy and dry.