Ensign Red Canadian Whisky

The aroma is subtly aged in a refined manner, yet hints at a palate that is both sweet and muddled. It strongly evokes lightly toasted oak, which is quite pleasant. There's also a leathery quality with minerally apples on the nose, accompanied by a faint trace of formaldehyde and mushroom, similar to a specific tequila. The palate is oily and unexpectedly rich, featuring a sweet caramel flavor and significant nuttiness, bringing in walnut without being overpowering, balanced by pecan and a touch of almond. The sweetness persists in a syrupy fashion, though it remains reasonably controlled. A touch of spice, including cinnamon and some clove, adds heat, and there's a hint of mint. Vanilla is certainly present, but fruit is minimal beyond the mineral apple. There are notes of dark sweetness like dates and dried figs within the syrup, but they are hard to discern. Overall, this is peculiar and not to my taste, but it's not terrible. The alcohol is somewhat noticeable and lingers, but otherwise, it's just odd. The mushroom flavor becomes much more apparent with a quick sip, bringing a rubbery note. A fleeting savory note, like low-quality roast beef, appears briefly after tasting, but disappears quickly. It lacks the vibrancy, fruitiness, intricacy, and clarity of that specific tequila, making it vastly inferior. Initially, it seemed like an extra rye influence was detrimental, but that wasn't the case; it's simply not very good.

Nose: Cherry, grape, spearmint, black pepper, corn, toffee, peach, cinnamon, subtle wood, an unknown nut, and a slight ethanol sting. Palate: Corn, sugary toffee, gentle smoky wood, black pepper, spearmint, cinnamon, pecan, macadamia, apple, vanilla, a mild alcohol sting, and a quick finish with toffee, spearmint, and barrel spice notes. This expression falls short of average, though it's significantly better than several other Canadian whiskies I have tried. The aroma presents a pleasant spearmint, nutty, grape candy sweetness, unlike the typical dull, overly sweet corn character found in many others. The flavor is quite sweet, but not unpleasantly so. A bit of young, sharp wood is present, which is a drawback, but there's also enjoyable toffee and sweet nuttiness. In summary, it's excessively sweet and youthful, yet more complex than most comparable offerings. I would definitely prefer this over spirits like Canadian Mist and Black Velvet. Considering it's under $20, the value is good for those who appreciate affordable Canadian whisky. Perhaps there are a couple of such individuals.

This Canadian whisky offers a velvety texture. Its aroma presents hints of grain, wood, dark fruits, herbs, and spices. The palate is full and zesty, revealing notes of rye, pepper, caramel, oak, and vanilla. The finish is enduring and intricate. Tasted July 2017, September 2017, June 2019, and September 2022.

It's sweet with a mild burn, reminiscent of cinnamon but not like a spiced whiskey. Wood notes are present, but more time in the barrel would help it mature completely. A few more years aging would allow it to develop further.

Very pale in color with surprisingly thick legs. The nose has a funky quality, reminiscent of a faint version of another spirit. It's an incredibly easy-drinking spirit with subtle mint notes. The finish is short, felt on the front and middle of the tongue.

Decent for inexpensive whiskey