Stalk & Barrel Red Blend

Nose: Fruity (a blend of dark and tart berries; cranberries, plum, raspberry), sherry, dried fruit (old raisins), black tea, candied fruits (apple), caramel apple, grapefruit, herbal and grassy notes, and a hint of rich tobacco, old oak, red licorice, Werther's Original caramel, skunky hops, rye fruitiness and spiciness (spicy cinnamon on tangy apples), pine tree, a light and smooth liquor-infused caramel (similar to Crown Royal), a good amount of malty milk chocolate (like a high-quality creamy hot cocoa mix), a very light rubbery/leathery note, chalky chocolate, a hint of strawberry and blueberry marmalade, a bit of a chlorine and pleasantly sweet chemical scent, sweet mint, candied oranges. Palate: Candied orange, old oak, rye fruits (ripe yet tangy red apples, cherries, red grapes, also semi-sweet strawberry), mixed ground peppercorns, red licorice, black tea, a hint of vanilla, cinnamon and paprika light spiciness, mild sugar syrup and honey dense sweetness. Finish: Very pleasant red apple sweetness, oak and rye spice bitterness, dry oak woodiness, a hint of apple and strawberry jam.

I'm uncertain about my feelings on this one. It's among the most unusual whiskies I've ever sampled. For me, it presents two distinct profiles: pepper and vanilla. The vanilla is VERY strong, more so than I've encountered in any other whisky. I rated it a 3 because while I sometimes truly enjoy it, other times it's just too unconventional and excessively sweet on the nose. That being said, I think it's fantastic to have a whisky with this flavor profile available. It contributes to the expanding range of truly unique and high-caliber Canadian spirits.

Stalk&Barrel Red. 43% alcohol. Bottled in Canada. No age stated, minimum 3 years. Color is quite pale. Nose: Subtle, with hints of maple, nutty sweetness, and grain. Palate: Toasted flavors, sweet, similar to the blue blend but less sweet, grainy, with some oak present. Price: $39.99 plus tax (750ml), the cost isn't justified. Rating: C+

I'm not particularly fond of this one. I don't detect the sweetness that others have mentioned, although I do agree with the presence of vanilla and a bit of oak. There's an additional spice, possibly from the rye, that doesn't quite appeal to me. This whiskey would be acceptable for mixed drinks, but I prefer other options for sipping neat.

Not a bad introductory whiskey. It has a pleasant oakiness and sweetness. I also detect a hint of caramel on the aroma. The finish is brief, almost vanishing from the palate. It's likely best suited for mixed drinks, but I would also enjoy it on its own.

This is a really good value in Canadian whiskey. I appreciate the harmony between the malt's sweetness and the rye's spice, with the corn providing a smooth background. This is my usual choice for an everyday Canadian whisky.