Yukon Jack Original 100 Proof

After a recent hospital stay for pneumonia (my partner had to confront the possibility of my demise), I'm reviewing a liqueur I wouldn't normally consider. It's marketed as the 'black sheep of whiskey' (an apt description), but in my opinion, it's not a whiskey at all—more of a liqueur. While the base spirit is some kind of Canadian whiskey, it's not obvious. The aroma, body, and finish all say 'fooled you!' I usually drink whiskey neat, but the overwhelming orange and honey sweetness make it nearly impossible to enjoy unmixed. The body is more like thick, slick orange-flavored cough syrup, but sweet—blech. So why am I reviewing it? A friend wanted to help with my recovery, though I suspect his motives were more mischievous. I decided to take the high road and resolved to find something to mix with this whiskey imposter without gagging. Conclusion: This is NOT a good whiskey; in fact, it barely qualifies as one. However, it makes an excellent hot tea toddy. When I'm sick with a cold or flu, I drink tea toddies, usually with a bit of brandy. Being English, tea toddies make me feel better, and with enough of them, you forget how bad you feel. I use Bigelow black tea, make it hot and strong, let it steep, and add a shot—no honey or sweetener needed; it's plenty sweet enough. This isn't a whiskey good for nothing; it's good for one thing: a hot toddy. For that reason alone, I'll give it 1.5 stars, but I must deduct 0.5 stars for essentially masquerading as a whiskey. So for now, it will reside on my bottom shelf with my other liqueurs until the next time I'm feeling unwell, and it won't be moved until then...

The aroma is somewhat savory and sweet, but overall not very intense. I think I detect a hint of honey and pepper in the aroma, but it's not very prominent. The palate is surprisingly thin and the flavor is surprisingly dry. I do get a good amount of pepper, but it's not overly harsh. It is warming, though. The herbal quality of the pepper is quite rich and suits it well. There's also a sweet, oily element that rounds it out, which I assume is the honey. It narrowly avoids tasting like rubber. I can't say I'm a fan, but it's interesting in a way that isn't just a euphemism for bad, and it's not a difficult flavor profile, so it's easy to imagine it could be used in cocktails. It's not very complex, but the profile generally works, and it is vodka, after all. It could definitely benefit from less harshness and a fuller mouthfeel. Honestly, I don't see a need for honey pepper vodka in my life. The herbal character is the most interesting and best aspect, but it also introduces a couple of unpleasant flavors.

The aroma is somewhat savory and slightly sweet, but overall it's not very pronounced. I can vaguely detect hints of honey and pepper, but they aren't very obvious. The taste is surprisingly weak and dry. There's a good amount of pepper, but it's not unpleasantly sharp. It does provide warmth, though. The peppery herbal quality is quite rich and fits well. There's also a sweet, oily sensation that rounds it out, which I assume is the honey. It barely avoids tasting like rubber. I can't say I'm a fan, but it's intriguing in a way that's not just a euphemism for bad, and it's not a difficult flavor profile, so it's easy to imagine it could be used in cocktails. It's not very complex, but the overall profile works, and it is vodka, after all. It could benefit from less sharpness and a fuller mouthfeel. Honestly, I don't see a need for honey pepper vodka in my life. The herbal aspect is the most compelling and best element, but it also brings in some undesirable flavors.

Score: 9/23 Ah yes, this is the bottle with two listings. That's not important for this tasting, but I wanted to complain about it to put off trying this again. It's quite sharp and lacks richness or depth, yet it has sweetness and citrus. Cointreau is the first thing that pops into my head, though I believe I previously compared them directly and concluded Cointreau was superior in all aspects. This time, I think I can pick up some honey alongside a slight bitterness. This might be what I previously mistook for citron and/or lime. If so, that's my fault for 20% of the misidentification and the product's fault for 80% of a potential issue that should have been flagged before release. I really wish this tasted like whiskey. It has 'Jack' in the name, but there's no clue if it's whiskey-based. I'm strongly suspecting vodka. It's not terrible, but it's not great either. I'll make an uninspired decision and keep my prior score. The lingering finish has an artificial quality, so I might lower my score later.

This is the one with two entries on the distiller website. That's not relevant to this tasting, but I wanted to delay trying it further. It's rather harsh and lacks richness or depth, though it does have sweetness and citrus notes. Cointreau immediately comes to mind, but I recall comparing them previously and finding Cointreau superior in every aspect. This time, I think I detect some honey, mixed with bitterness. Perhaps that's what I've been mistaking for citron or lime. If so, that's partly my fault and mostly a risk that should have been recognized before this product was released. I truly wish something about this tasted like whiskey. It has 'Jack' in the name, but there's no clear indication if it's made from whiskey at all; I strongly suspect vodka. It's not terrible, but not particularly good either. I'll make an uninspired choice and keep my earlier score. The prolonged finish definitely has an artificial quality, so I might lower the score next time.

Shared with my father. Sampling this one, to be honest. Smell brings ethanol, a honeyed sweetness, and familiar whiskey characteristics. Flavor begins sweet and intense, then recedes into a spicy, citrusy, sweet profile. Aftertaste is a mix of sweet and tart. This spirit is certainly effective for staying warm in the cold northern climate. It's not a meal, but I respect the shot.