Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Ice Cask

COLOUR: Orange-bronze. LEGS: Very rapid and thin (this doesn't suggest a good mouthfeel); secondary legs are noticeably thicker and slightly slower. NOSE: Delicate (2/5); notes of sweet corn & slightly spicy rye; a strong acetone presence (unpleasant nail polish remover); caramel, honey & sugar; a hint of grassy hay; a trace of salt. WITH WATER (3 drops into 10mL): almost everything vanishes except for the bothersome acetone. Score 3.10 TASTE: Very sweet; rich, oily & thick; potent (4/5); drying spicy rye; butterscotch, honey & sugar (reminiscent of rum); very sweet and lacks complexity. WITH WATER: less sweet; chocolate appears (quite interesting); but the acetone also becomes more prominent unpleasantly. Score 6/10 FINISH: Very brief; delicate (1/5); sweet & spicy, but very subtle; butterscotch & sugar. WITH WATER: similar, but with a hint of chocolate remaining. Score 4/10 OVERALL: A very sweet, dessert-like dram; the nose is highly unpleasant and off-putting; the taste is superior. Better without water, unless you desire the chocolate note, but you sacrifice all other elements. Weighted Score 4.9/10

Nose: Sweet rye, bubblegum, subtle cinnamon rye spice, fresh toffee, minty plums, earthy dark chocolate with dust, new luggage (odd, I know), lemon and vanilla powdered sugar, simple syrup, a hint of maple and corn syrup, light French toast, a blend of old and new oak, cinnamon candies, aged grain from ex-bourbon barrels, a trace of dill, luxuriously sweet ice wine, floral fragrance, medium milk chocolate, pickle brine, cardamom and cloves (rye spice), a ripe mix of unpeeled apples, spicy pear. Palate: Rye spices (clove, cinnamon, cardamom), intense, herbal and fresh wintergreen mint, white grapes, simple syrup blended with a touch of maple, aged caramel, peach candies, subtle apricot and candied red apple notes, icing sugar sweetness balanced by bitter rye and green bell pepper, a hint of manuka honey. Finish: White grape skins, honeyed sweetness, sweet tobacco, powdered bubblegum sugar, faint sweet and spicy oak notes, a touch of fresh toffee, grape must from vermouth and wormwood.

No. This is not a joke. This is Wayne Gretzky's whisky. The meaning of ice casks is unknown and unimportant. A Canadian whisky, produced by "Wayne Gretzky's estates". For those unaware of Wayne Gretzky, he is the equivalent of Pelé or Maradona in ice hockey. Bottled at 41.5% ABV. On the nose, RYE. Abundant amounts. Rye spiciness, grain, herbal notes, and molasses. It's comparable to a mix of rum and rye whisky. After the initial taste, notes of maple syrup appeared on the nose. On the palate, it's very direct: rye spiciness and bitter prunes. The aftertaste is intensely spicy with chili. Overall, this is something I would not purchase, but it's an interesting whisky to encounter, to see what sports figures are involved in these days. Scored 58 out of 100.

This is not a joke. This is Wayne Gretzky's whisky. The significance of 'ice casks' is unknown and irrelevant. A Canadian whisky, produced by 'Wayne Gretzky's estates'. For those unfamiliar with Wayne Gretzky, he is the equivalent of Pelé or Maradona in ice hockey. Bottled at 41.5% ABV. On the nose, RYE. Abundant rye spiciness, grain, herbal notes, and molasses. It's like a blend of rum and rye whisky. After the first taste, maple syrup notes emerge in the aroma. On the palate, it's very direct: rye spiciness and bitter prunes. The aftertaste is full of chili. Overall, this is not something I would purchase, but it's an interesting whisky to encounter, offering insight into what sports stars are involved in these days. 58 out of 100.

This distinct Canadian spirit has a polished bronze hue, and thick, semi-viscous legs slowly descend the glass. The aroma is gentle and pleasant. It carries an almost bubbly scent, akin to champagne or fruit-infused sparkling water. There are also hints of raspberries, freshly cut grass, and baking spices. The palate has a thin texture and is generally sweet. Delicious notes of white wine, maple, honey, orange citrus, and rye spice are present. The finish is of medium duration, leaving a fresh, almost minty gum sensation. The whisky is straightforward but very enjoyable! It's a sweet, delightful drink. And if I find it at a reasonable price, I'll purchase it again. Thanks to the producer! Cheers!

Of the three varieties of Gretzky Whisky, Ice Cask presents the most distinct flavor profile and the most bourbon character due to its higher corn content. I find it is best enjoyed neat. As of July 2017, it is only available at the Gretzky Winery & Distillery in Niagara-On-The-Lake ($60 CAD), which is a shame as it is considerably superior to the Red Cask, widely sold through retail liquor stores. It is also more distinct and a much better value than the premium "99 Proof" offering ($99 CAD), which is highly similar to Canadian Club 12-year / Small Batch.