Black Velvet

It's been at least 12 years since my last taste, and back then it was mixed with cola. I've likely only had a small sip from this bottle, but I don't remember. This bottle was a gift from a family member, it's full to the brim but has been opened and has been in my possession for at least 5 years. With that said... Black Velvet is a Canadian whisky. In fact, it's the second best-selling Canadian whisky after Crown Royal. It's owned by Heaven Hill and produced at the Black Velvet Distillery in Lethbridge, Alberta. Tasted neat in a glencairn. I allowed the drink to rest for approximately 5 minutes before assessing. The pour is a brassy, light color. It doesn't show much viscosity when swirled. The nose immediately presents notes of grain alcohol, and something slightly sweeter with fruity undertones. Overall, the aroma is indistinct and weak. On the palate, the thinness continues. The whiskey is somewhat watery, with no discernible finish. It's entirely unsatisfying. There's a hint of sweetness, a touch of alcohol, and then a fleeting note of white pepper. Finally, there's a slight bitter aftertaste. I have no idea what to do with the rest of this bottle. I won't be drinking this neat again; it's definitely a nondescript mixer. Smooth? Yes, because there's nothing there. Sweet? Perhaps a little. Interesting? Absolutely not. (review update: after reconsidering, I realized I would never drink this and wouldn't serve it to friends, so it was poured down the drain) My rating scale is 1 to 5, with 2.5 being the average. Most decent whiskies fall between 2 and 3. For me, this one doesn't make the cut. I'm quite certain there are worse whiskies out there, and I hope none of them end up in my collection. Hard pass.

Compared to Ellington, this has a richer, smokier aroma, though it's still not very pronounced. The palate is smooth with a thick texture and an immediate, excessive artificial caramel flavor. It's surprisingly drying, though. There's not much going on in the mouth; it genuinely tastes like a young whiskey I wouldn't want to drink. It's not the absolute worst, but it's very far from good. It might be masked in a cocktail, but sipping it is genuinely unpleasant. Ugh, drinking Ellington after this is a terrible mistake - awful! Ellington Reserve is even worse! Yet, this is superior to both of them. It tastes young with some sweetness and little else. It contains alcohol and unpleasant caramel. Ellington is more engaging but has more overtly unpleasant notes, almost as if some tequila was blended in.

This is genuine whiskey. All Canadian whiskey is aged for at least three years. Some people try to liken this to American blends like Seagrams 7, but the key difference is Seagrams 7 is mostly neutral grain spirits, essentially whiskey-flavored vodka. Canadian blends like Black Velvet, however, are actual aged whiskey without the addition of neutral grain spirits. Ultimately, this is just average in most respects: light in color, flavor, and alcohol content. It lacks complexity but works well as a mixer, which is its primary function. I like it with ginger ale. It's meant for mixing, not sipping. Cheers!

Tasting from a miniature bottle. This is the bottle and aroma I recall from my childhood when visiting a friend's home. It seemed so sophisticated, even the name. Ahh, a blended Canadian whisky bottled in the USA. Sweet vanilla and light grain on the nose. Wow, watch out! Oak and ethanol dominate over a sticky sweet cotton candy base. It has a light color and body, but the sweetness feels overwhelming. That sweetness then turns bitter (perhaps a strange rye note? or oak tannins?) leading to a light acetone chemical finish. It would serve its purpose mixed with Coke. Beyond that, there are superior Canadian whiskies available. Significantly better.

A friend suggested this, but I won't be buying it again, even considering the cost. It's simply mediocre. It cost me $8.49 for a fifth, is 80 proof, and aged for three years. It has an amber hue in the glass. NOSE: Smells like rubbing alcohol initially, but after a while, a subtle sweetness emerges, alongside something tart and medicinal. MOUTHFEEL: Thin, with a slight creaminess. TASTE: Honey with a faint floral hint. FINISH: Brief - a fleeting light sweetness and alcohol. This is a very unpretentious whiskey, possibly justifying its price but definitely not worth any more.

Black Velvet, 40% abv, aged 3 years. Not bottled in Canada. The aroma is somewhat alcoholic and has an odd, off-putting sweetness, maybe rye. The taste is sweet and strange initially, with a peculiar aftertaste. Light bitterness and a touch of oak. It goes down nicely. I paid 12 dollars for a 1 Liter bottle. It has that common Canadian whisky sweetness; if that's your preference, you'll enjoy it, but otherwise, I'd steer clear. There are superior Canadian whiskies available. Grade: C-