Canadian Club Chairman's Select 100% Rye

This spirit originates from Alberta Distillers (known for Alberta Premium and numerous 100% straight ryes bottled by others like Whistlepig, etc.), which is convenient as both CC and Alberta Distillers are under the Beam-Suntory umbrella. Interestingly, the flavor profile isn't quite what I'd expect from Alberta Distillers. However, it features standard (artificial) coloring; a strong, distinct bubblegum/clove aroma, along with mint, dill, pickles, caraway, and rye. Notes of cinnamon and a touch of tobacco are present. There's a prominent licorice flavor that can become overpowering, in an unpleasant way, if the bottle is left open for more than a couple of weeks. Only a very slight hint of the maple/butterscotch sweetness typical of Canadian whisky. Burnt caramel and a dark rum characteristic are noticeable. The taste strikes an intriguing balance between what I anticipate from a straight rye and a Canadian whisky – peppery, spicy heat, bubblegum, dill, ginger, bread, brining spices, honeycomb, butterscotch, and maple. A subtle sourness and a developing licorice note are also present. It would benefit from additional aging and perhaps a slightly higher alcohol content, around 5% more. Furthermore, avoid leaving it open for extended periods, as it can become dominated by an aggressive, somewhat unpleasant perfumed, artificial licorice sweetness. However, especially considering its price (under $30 in Canada), this is a quite serviceable sipping whiskey and an even better choice for cocktails (just reduce the sugar in your old-fashioned recipe). It is certainly among the "new wave" of Canadian whiskies that genuinely take the term "rye" seriously, and that is commendable.

I'm having some right now, and honestly, I can't comprehend how anyone detects spice, apple, caramel, vanilla, or any other distinct flavors. To me, it smells and tastes like rye (similar to beer) and alcohol. I really tried to identify components beyond rye and ethanol but failed. It's remarkably lacking in character; I felt like I was drinking a Pabst beer, just with more burn and potency. While I'm not a big fan of beers, that doesn't make this product inherently bad. Anything at 40% ABV or higher, especially at the cheapest price, I'll happily take! I'm so intoxicated right now I'm struggling to breathe. I drink it with ice, sometimes without, and occasionally mix it with soda or other beverages. Low price, got me buzzed, 40% ABV, easily drinkable and smooth, enjoying country music – that earns a 5-star rating.

The anticipation for this was high, fueled by many claims of its quality, despite its affordability. The nose offered subtle floral notes, a touch of spice, and eventually some butterscotch. The palate presented vanilla sweetness and spice. The finish had a decent length with hints of oak or possibly char. After several sips, the finish developed a slight bitterness. For the price, it's very good (rated 3.5 stars).

Canadian Club Green offers a superb whisky for a very fair cost. The aroma presents hints of spice, cinnamon, fruit, rye, and sweetness. It has a dry, spicy conclusion. This was evaluated blind against Basil Hayden and JP Wiser 2018 and emerged as the clear victor. I typically enjoy CC Green with ice and didn't even recognize it. It's a dependable choice for an easily drinkable everyday whisky. Extra credit for the pricing.

Quite unremarkable, a typical rye. Better than the usual offerings from the brand, it sips adequately but truly excels in mixed drinks. The spice is pleasant but lacks depth. Excellent value, though it's hard to choose this over Lot 40 or Northern Harvest for a small price increase.

Lemongrass, toasted coconut, pepper, and caramel on the nose. The mouthfeel is fairly rich. More pepper and caramel on the palate, with additional notes of oak, dried orange peel, and straw. The finish is short to medium in length and very smooth. Rated 3.00 out of 5.00 – Good (neat)