Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye

Rating: X/23 This isn't a typical tasting because I'm trying this in a mixed drink. I've heard it's excellent in an old fashioned and it's Canadian, so I figured I should try it in a maple syrup old fashioned. I won't be providing a formal rating, but I will make general observations and perhaps rate the cocktail. I'm using 25ml of this spirit with 5ml of grade A maple syrup (I opted for a clean profile instead of the funkiness of grade B), and a single dash of Angostura bitters. I did take a small sip of the spirit on its own, which I compared to Whistlepig Piggyback. I detected a strong rye flavor. The Whistlepig was funkier and lighter (the latter being quite expected given the proof difference), but it still had an authentic rye character. This has more alcohol, but a cleaner taste. There's ample rye spice and a bitter yet crisp and clean herbal flavor. I'm really enjoying this neat. Still, I can see why I didn't love it neat before because there isn't a great deal of variation here. Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye (17/23) is richer, fuller, and smoother. It possesses less of that authentic rye bite, but it still offers bitter herbs and some freshness. I'm leaning towards thinking this isn't quite as good. Based on the 5ml sips I have available, that is. I do perceive a hint of tropical fruit that reminds me of Willett Family Estate 4 (15/23). In fact, when tasted side-by-side, this is somewhat like a brighter, less mellow version of the Willett. I think an argument could be made for this being up to a 17, but I don't believe I can truly make a formal statement to that effect under these conditions. I could also see it being a 14. Wow, the Willett certainly has a lot of complexity. Yes, I'm definitely not increasing its score. Lots of spice and noticeable alcohol here, but it's so clean and crisp. It truly tastes like the quintessential rye. I'd be interested to try it alongside Whistlepig 10, which I find to have a lot of rye character, but also to be very uninspiring. Considering I prefer Whistlepig PiggyBack over the 10, I suspect that this being quite similar to the 10 wouldn't necessarily make it all that remarkable. Okay, but I've finally used 5/6 of my sample to prepare that old fashioned I mentioned. Wow, I can really talk a lot. This is a successful combination of sweet, spicy, and bitter. It's sweeter and more decadent than it is on its own, but I suppose that's not surprising. Despite not being a major component here, the subtle notes of the maple syrup become apparent. For anyone using maple syrup to craft their old fashioned, definitely avoid the cheap stuff. At the very least, use actual maple syrup instead of that corn syrup that pretends to be it. The richness here is excellent, and the complexity is also satisfactory. I'd like to experiment with different ryes and maple syrups, but unfortunately, I don't have many options readily available. I was slightly underwhelmed, but a spritz of orange really brings it all together. I believe this could serve as the foundation for a fantastic old fashioned, but I'd need to dedicate more time to finding the right components. As it stands, this is delightful, but it doesn't reach the level of a neat pour of a superb spirit. But, hey, I prefer neat spirits and hold myself to high standards. The fact that I drank through this quickly and was surprised and disappointed when I finished it says a lot. When compared to some other cocktails, this really stands out. I'm unsure if that speaks more to the whiskey or the cocktail itself, but it certainly makes me want more. Again, I won't be assigning a rating. I would certainly make this at home again if I had a bottle, though I would likely make minor adjustments to improve it. One thing I would consider trying is using grade B maple syrup for a bolder, less vegetal flavor. Thank you to a friend for sharing this sample with me!

I'm quite pleased to have experienced this whiskey again, as I missed a chance to acquire it some years ago while traveling and have regretted it since. I encountered it at a tasting event, but nothing memorable stood out. Nevertheless, my continued excitement and optimism stem from its Canadian origin, as some of the finest rye grain originates from Canada. The country is vast, and my knowledge is limited, so I'm unaware of specific regions producing the 'best' rye, potential differences, or if significant variations even exist. However, I do know that some of the most exceptional rye whiskeys I've sampled have either been from Canada or distilled elsewhere using Canadian rye grain. Coupled with the fact that this is cask strength and has a 100% rye mashbill, my expectations are very high that the flavor will meet them. At a remarkable 127.4 proof and without added water post-barrel, I'm somewhat taken aback by its pale color, especially considering the use of charred barrels. Ultimately, I suspect this is due to a very brief period in the barrels or perhaps a very light char level employed. Despite this, the aroma is quite straightforward yet evokes a sense of a very full body. Scents of caramel and typical wood sugars suggest the barrel had a significant impact, but it's well-balanced with freshly crushed rye grain, featuring notes of spicy cinnamon and a floral undertone, more akin to grass than blossoms. While not the absolute best balance of sweet and spicy I've encountered, based on aroma alone, it's certainly very close to the top. Initially on the palate, sweetness predominates, specifically caramel and simple sugars, not quite rich enough to be considered wood sugar. With some aeration, the spicy notes emerge as the familiar cinnamon, but they don't deeply penetrate the palate as I'd anticipate from both the grain and the proof. A peculiar combination of flavors surfaces near the end, almost like a charcoal note, but less intense. Upon further reflection and with additional sips, I speculate I might be detecting some of the unique mineral content potentially present in the mountain water used. This isn't entirely unpleasant, particularly if you continue to refresh your palate with subsequent sips; this is surprisingly easy, as even with half the glass consumed, the alcohol content isn't so overpowering as to impede tasting. One certainty I've gained from sampling Canadian rye whiskeys compared to whiskeys made with Canadian rye is that every Canadian-distilled whiskey possesses a highly distinct character. In this instance, my hypothesis regarding the specific water source results in a finish unlike any other rye whiskey, even though the initial and intermediate flavors remain fairly predictable. It's a commendable representation of the 'Great White North,' but certainly not worth the price, especially since the proof doesn't offer the impressive impact one might expect at such a high level.

I had been anticipating this release before buying it. There was considerable buzz surrounding it, and I enjoy rye, particularly cask strength, though typically my preference leads me to purchase Knob Rye Single Barrel Select for $60. I did also pick up an unopened Sagamore 6 Year CS for $55. (And after a beach trip, I returned with Sagamore 8 Year, Stellum Rye, and Barrell Seagrass, making me think I'm in for a treat with all of those. Please, no need to mention Pikesville; I'm aware of it, and it sounds like a fantastic option that I'll try soon.) This bottle was $70 initially, then went on sale for $60, so I decided it was the right time to buy. Having tried it, I'd consider buying it again at the sale price. To be upfront, this whiskey surpasses expectations for a bottle with a twist cap. The bottle's appearance is decent, but the twist cap gives it a cheap feel. While Canadian whiskies can be presented nicely (remember Crown Royal's bags?), it's surprising they'd pair such a beautiful whiskey with a low-quality cap. Nevertheless, the liquid inside more than compensates for the cap. The aroma is rich and delightful, dominated by spice, rye, and cinnamon, with a vanilla base, graham cracker, and a touch of cherry. The taste continues the spicy theme, adding a peculiar note of copper sunscreen, common in cask strength ryes, alongside Earl Grey bergamot/citrus and a less common cola flavor, more akin to RC Cola than Coke or Pepsi. The finish is exceptionally long, amplifying the rye spice and leaving a tingling sensation on the tongue, similar to the feeling after climbing ropes in gym class. At 132 proof, it's quite drinkable on its own, but I prefer about a shot and a half with a small amount of melted ice, a method I'm finding works best for most cask strength whiskies lately. I anticipated enjoying this, but honestly, it exceeded my expectations by a quarter star. Sometimes, the hype is justified. Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye lives up to all the positive commentary.

COLOR: Deep bronze. SHEEN: Very fine streaks down the glass; tiny beads joined to form larger droplets on the streak; then they gently and slowly rolled down the glass like a royal necklace. AROMA: Moderate intensity (3/5); rye spice; some acetone (like a Sharpie marker); sweet vanilla, caramel & butterscotch; tart green apples; black pepper; dry hay notes; aging wood; slightly earthy and rubbery. Not particularly appealing or unique. Doesn't smell like 65% ABV. WITH WATER (10 drops added to 15mL): no change; 10 more drops causes it to fade considerably. Score 7/10 PALATE: Extremely powerful (5/5) & richly flavored; lots of sweet vanilla & caramel; a massive hit of rye spice; an immense burst of flavor in the mouth; very drying; all fruity, sweet & spicy notes; vanilla & butterscotch; black pepper & cinnamon; herbal and woody. Now you can detect the full 65% ABV. A huge & flavorful mouthfeel; very very tasty, but a little rough around the edges due to its youth. WITH WATER: slightly toned down and more manageable; fruity spice is enhanced; still very drying; 10 more drops reveal some gentle creaminess, which is quite pleasant; still the intense spicy rye, though. Score 9.5/10 FINISH: Long and numbing; sweet spice persists. WITH WATER: drier and longer. Score 9/10 OVERALL: Truly excellent, potent, fruity, sweet & spicy drink; my tongue is numb! Acquire as many bottles as you can. (2021-10-02) Initial thoughts: very strong and flavorful; akin to a sherry bomb (like Glenfarclas 105) with maple syrup and toasted rye bread; requires a significant amount of time in the glass to fully express its flavors; the first sip is overwhelming to the senses but subsequent sips are superb; I didn't even need to add water; the best of the initial three batches by a considerable margin. Weighted Score 8.7/10 VISUALIZATION: I'm in the rear of a barn right after the harvest; the barn is packed to the ceiling with fresh grain and dust; the air is cold, but I don't mind because this bottle is keeping me pleasantly warm while I relax and avoid my responsibilities.

Despite not typically favoring Canadian whisky, Alberta Premium Cask Strength genuinely surprised me and rapidly became a top choice. It won me over with its potency, strong flavors, and warming sensation on the palate. Right away, scents of sweet green grass, spearmint, and apricot emerge, suggesting the whisky's complexity and strength. When tasted, the whisky delivers a potent burst of flavors. Apricot is the most prominent, joined by robust notes reminiscent of dried mango or papaya and crisp apple. Underlying hints of tobacco lend depth and complexity, while a refreshing touch of spearmint adds an unexpected twist. The texture is substantial and full-bodied, blanketing the palate with a smooth, warm feel that amplifies the whisky's bold tastes. The conclusion is lengthy, with the distinct fruity notes of apricot persisting alongside subdued tobacco. Alberta Premium Cask Strength represents the pinnacle of Canadian whisky creation, providing a powerful and intense experience that surpasses common expectations. For individuals like myself who might not typically seek out Canadian whisky, this expression stands out as proof of its caliber and intricacy. 4.25/5

Aroma - An explosion of fruit. Caramel-apple, assorted berries, oranges, and melon are prominent. Among the best-smelling rye whiskeys I've encountered. Incredibly balanced and inviting. If the palate matched the aroma, this would be outstanding. Taste - The initial and mid-palate are fantastic. Abundant spicy rye notes (cinnamon and bubblegum) are balanced by caramel-apple and orange creamsicle flavors. The finish is somewhat long with a considerable warmth. I'm genuinely enjoying this offering. However, I detect a strong drying, almost medicinal quality later in the finish, appearing 30-60 seconds after the sip. Overall - The aroma is absolutely magnificent. The front and mid-palate and the start of the finish are all exceptional... I wish it ended there, in a way. The texture is superb, thick and coating the palate. But as the finish progresses, a sharp drying characteristic emerges, detracting from the wonderful sweetness experienced throughout 90% of the sip. Considering the price, this is arguably one of the finest rye whiskeys available.