Pike Creek 10 Year Rum Barrel Finish

Auburn hue. Swirling shows a thin film clinging to the glass; slow-forming legs. The initial aroma is vanilla and spicy rye, evolving into banana foster with brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla ice cream notes. It's very sweet and complex. The palate has a nice texture but is a bit thin on flavor. It's sweet, mellow, with hardly any alcohol sting. It evokes rum raisin vanilla ice cream, with subtle cola, honey, and rye bread undertones. The finish is brief, featuring mild rye spice and oak, with hints of molasses and black pepper. Adding a few drops enhances the vanilla aroma and brings out the rye spice on the palate, with a slight lemon citrus edge on the finish. Overall, a very easy-drinking spirit. While not a frequent choice, it's a crowd-pleaser for those new to whisky. I acquired it at a significant discount and am glad to have sampled it. It offers great value and demonstrates how rum sweetness and rye spice can complement each other, though I likely won't repurchase.

Overall Score: 90/100 Aroma (22/25) The scent is warm and welcoming, with a clear sweetness that immediately signals the influence of the rum cask. Notes of dark brown sugar, molasses, and cooked bananas are prominent, complemented by hints of vanilla and toasted wood. There's a touch of dried fruit, like raisins and apricots, adding depth, while subtle spices such as cinnamon and clove appear as it develops. The aroma is rich and appealing, setting the stage for a pleasant tasting session. Taste (23/25) On the palate, this spirit is medium-bodied with a smooth, velvety texture. The rum barrel influence is evident with flavors of toffee, ripe tropical fruits, and spiced honey, which blend harmoniously with the underlying characteristics of the spirit. The dried fruit notes from the aroma persist, enhanced by a touch of baking spices and a slight nuttiness that adds complexity. The sweetness is well-proportioned, avoiding any cloying sensation and allowing the influence of the wood to integrate seamlessly. Finish (22/25) The finish is of moderate length, with lingering warmth and a mild spiciness. Flavors of sweet wood, dark chocolate, and a faint rum sweetness remain, leaving a pleasant, slightly drying sensation. As it fades, a final hint of toasted coconut and vanilla reappears, inviting another taste. The finish is satisfying, with sufficient depth to recall the spirit's age and rum influence. Balance (23/25) This spirit is well-balanced, successfully combining the rich, sweet character from the rum casks with the robust base spirit. The integration of flavors is flawless, with the rum influence enhancing rather than dominating the spirit. The outcome is a smooth, accessible drink that offers complexity without being overly demanding, making it suitable for a variety of spirit enthusiasts. Summary This is an outstanding example of how finishing in rum casks can elevate a spirit's profile, introducing layers of flavor while preserving harmony. Its rich sweetness, enhanced by spice and oak, provides a versatile drinking experience that is equally enjoyable neat, on ice, or mixed in a cocktail. The drink's approachable nature, along with its expertly executed finish, makes it an excellent selection for those wanting to explore cask-finished spirits or simply enjoy a high-quality Canadian drink.

The aroma features vanilla, caramel, and rye spice. The rum influence is immediately apparent. The taste is a bit thin, but with very little burn. It's not as sweet as you might expect based on the smell. The rye and grain flavors really come through here, along with subtle vanilla and tropical fruit notes. The finish is medium to short, but the rum characteristics are prominent again here. Overall, a very solid and distinctive product from my home region in Canada. This would be an excellent spirit to include in a blind tasting. It tastes like aged rum!...oh wait, it's rye!....well, actually maybe rum! Actually, what the heck is this other than delicious??

PIKE CREEK 10 YEAR OLD RUM FINISH 🇨🇦 22/11/2023 Ankara Nose: Sweet, brown sugar, vanilla, and spice. Palate: Balanced, with dried fruit, confection, and vanilla. Finish: Medium length. Warming, slightly burning, and oily. Overall: My first Canadian, and even rye, whisky. Despite the difference between the nose and palate, it has a very balanced finish. The rum influence is noticeable throughout. I was informed this version has a shorter finish compared to the distillery's older cask finishes (like port barrels). 76/100

Pike Creek 10 Year (finished in rum barrels), bottled in Canada, 42% ABV, produced by Pernod Ricard. Aroma: rye, subtle rum, unusual sweetness. Taste: sweet, vanilla, some oak, not much rum detected, more of that peculiar Canadian sweetness. It carries some of the generic/cheaper Canadian notes, which was unexpected for a more reputable/expensive bottle. Very smooth, a pleasant sipper. Has a wooden cap. Coloring may have been added. Price: $29.99 plus tax (too expensive) Rating: C+/B-

A smooth, Canadian-style Blended Rye Whisky from Corby Distillers in Corbyville, Ontario, aged for 10 years in oak and then finished in Rum Barrels for the last several months. It has an aromatic beginning with notes of nougat, leather, banana & apricot; while a rich & spicy middle adds notes of Rye spice, nutmeg & a hint of coconut; that leads to a creamy, medium-length finish with notes of brown sugar, raisins & black pepper. June 2020 / September 2022