BEARFACE One Eleven Series: Oaxaca Edition

While I commend bearface for innovation, this isn't a bottle I reach for often. Mezcal, being a smoky spirit, when added to a non-smoky rye, results in a flavor that tastes like cheap scotch. It's comparable to a Bowmore 12 in a similar price range, perhaps a bit less peaty but close. I think mezcal would be a better match for scotch, though I also found Dewars Illegal Smooth scotch aged in mezcal barrels to be somewhat off-putting. For context, I'm not a fan of peat. If you enjoy peat, mezcal might be for you. I enjoy tequila and try to appreciate mezcal, but I struggle with it. Returning to the whisky in question, I'd likely gift this to a scotch enthusiast who might find it acceptable. This is lighter than the standard bearface whisky, which I believe is aged 7 years. This One Eleven edition is aged 4 years, with the mezcal aged for 2 years, if my memory serves me. That makes it a 6-year aged product... just kidding, forgive the pun. As a younger product, its youth is evident. I wonder if they considered pairing the mezcal with the 7-year? It might have been a waste of the 7-year. And I believe that's the core issue: the One Eleven lacks depth. I'll keep this bottle because it's an interesting product, and as I mentioned, kudos to them for trying something new.

Imagine blending ten parts Canadian Whisky with one part Mezcal. This is the result. Full commendation to the Master Blender at Bearface, Andres Faustinelli, who cleverly utilized the Canadian 9.09% regulation (also known as the one-eleven rule) to create such a delightful spirit. Unlike the 7 Year Old expression, this particular whiskey presents initial notes of smoke, earthiness, and a touch of bacon on the aroma, complemented by sweet and spicy undertones. The initial taste is sweet, followed by spices characteristic of Canadian whisky. While the conclusion is brief, the presence of agave rounds out the experience pleasantly. Overall, a very enjoyable whiskey that I savored neat, but it would also perform well in mixed drinks. I'm eagerly anticipating the next release in the One-Eleven series! AROMA: Corn, mild smoke, earthiness, a trace of bacon, sultana, citrus, spice, vanilla TASTE: Honey, vanilla, bacon, cinnamon, cloves, dried cherries, dried cranberries CONCLUSION: Agave, light smoke, syrup Score: 83/100 Classification: B A solid choice – not essential, but a pleasing addition.

Do you enjoy unique spirit combinations? While whiskies aged in rum casks are now commonplace, I was stopped in my tracks with curiosity when I encountered the Bearface One Eleven Series on the store shelf. This whisky is composed of a 10:1 ratio of Bearface whisky to agave espadin mezcal. The aroma presents herbal steeped tea, smokiness, and earthiness. It later develops with notes of vanilla and rustic charred oak. Mouthfeel is light with bright, faintly sweet agave at the forefront. It transitions to moodier, smoky tones with a wave of white pepper. An earthy finish fades with a hint of light acidity. It's slightly drying but strangely calming. I found more enjoyment in the Bearface One Eleven throughout the tasting, so I would suggest letting it rest and being patient with it. This whisky invites experimentation in warm-weather or whisky remix cocktails (like an Oaxaca old fashioned?). I remain undecided if it's a whisky experiencing an identity crisis or delightfully peculiar, but I am intrigued. 7/10

It's primarily Canadian Whisky with a small amount of mezcal, and it's legally sold in Canada. It's not a blend in the bottle, it's Canadian Whisky... Is it good or bad? That's irrelevant; it exists as it is. Nose: Sweet with a citrus tang. No dominant tequila scent, but agave is present. White sugar, floral, vanilla. Ascorbic acid. Palate: The blend is noticeable, and I'm not a fan. Lime peel, mild smokiness, spices. Grass, oaky bitterness. Some additional smoke-dried notes, distinct from peat. Finish: Not enjoyable for me. This kind of sweet alcohol sensation that's just... meh. It lacks a certain refinement. Some smokiness does soften the overall experience. It's commendable they experiment. It's good they pushed boundaries and produced it at 42.5% ABV. I appreciate the company's spirit, but this particular dram isn't for me. Won't repurchase.

Sampled Nov. 22, 2019. A flavor of spice and oak precedes an earthy and smoky finish. Quite distinctive! Most of our group appreciated it, though a few found it excessively unusual. Proceed with caution, but I intend to purchase a bottle.

It's unclear what this is. While experiments can be anything, at approximately $50 CAD, this is ridiculous. Purchase a good tequila or whiskey, or the cheapest of either you can find, and combine them yourself.