Liberator Canadian Rye Whisky

The aroma offers corn alcohol, with caramel/brown sugar appearing after a short wait. The palate is reminiscent of inexpensive vodka blended with caramel and a fleeting whisper of spice, possibly cinnamon, which vanishes almost instantly. It took several sips to detect. The finish is virtually nonexistent, dissipating with extreme rapidity. This is unequivocally a budget spirit, suitable for mixing with cola. It would be acceptable if sold in a plastic container for under $20 CAD. However, it is priced at $35-40 CAD and marketed as a handcrafted whisky honoring the RCAF. As a veteran, I find this disrespectful when a quality product is not provided in the bottle.

I'm not going to bother with a full review. This was a terrible purchase, and I'm unsure how to use the rest of the bottle without just tossing it. I picked this up looking for a decent, inexpensive cocktail rye, and the bottle design caught my eye. I had no idea this wasn't a rye at all. It's barely more flavorful than vodka. While it's called rye whisky, the label states it's just corn and wheat, with no spice to indicate any rye content. Avoid this if you appreciate genuine whisky. I'll send you the remaining amount for $10 CAD if you want it.

This whisky embodies the typical Alberta "rye" profile: sweet caramel and alcohol. It's very light and incredibly easy to drink, practically vodka aged in oak, designed for the rye and coke audience. It's disappointing considering Highwood promotes this as a craft whisky. It loses more points for labeling itself a Rye on the front, only to reveal it's corn and wheat on the back. This is typical of Highwood, and they should cease perpetuating this Canadian "rye" confusion. Highwood needs to improve.