Tastes
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You don’t know how happy I was to find the warehouse pack today, given it was probably the last one in my market. Even if it came with a bottle of whisky I don’t particularly care for, those tins are pretty damn cool. It’s pale, beautifully so, the colour of barley that’s still two weeks from being ready to come off. Between the natural colour and the lack of chill filtering, Ardbeg is, in theory, my favourite malt. In practice however, it leaves something to be desired. Nose is better on this than I find on Corry and Uigeay, something about the use of only ex bourbon really lets the character of the malt shine through. It’s buttery, and sweet like kettle corn. Banana peel. For as peated as it’s supposed to be, the smoke is quite subdued. On the palate, it is raw, young and unapologetic. Tar, iodine, and peat smoke dominate until your now bruised tongue acclimates to this powerful dram. After the fire calms down, brown sugar and more banana show themselves. Finish is hotter than warm and very dry. Full of black pepper and salted caramel. Overall, it’s one that I want to like but just can’t. In blind tastings or in blends I can pick it out like a drug dog. And always find them too Ardbegy. I’ve tried and tried again, but outside the kelpie and a few drops of a 74, it’s one I can’t understand why I don’t like it.80.0 CAD per Bottle
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Talisker 10 Year
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed September 25, 2019 (edited October 20, 2019)Before I stopped having cheap gin at home for the guests that knew no better, I stocked Gordon’s. If it’s good enough for 007, it had to be good enough for me. This mindset, coupled with my highest discount giving store not carrying my beloved Lagavulin sent me northeast to the Isle of Skye. With its heavy handed addition of caramel colour being the only place it loses points other than price, let us dig in. Nose changes significantly as the liquid oxididizes; when first opened, it is the smoky, raging sea that a young whisky of its region that it should be. Ocean spray, less medicinal peat smoke than some Islays, hot, cooked black pepper and the vigour that comes from young spirit and older barrels. After a month or so, this settles dramatically, vanillas, caramels, woodsmoke and wet soil come through. On the palate, at first it carries the nose through almost exactly. Salty rocks, powerful peat and now more medicine notes. As it settles down, the distinct Talisker pepper dominates in a way that you have to experience to understand, coming through as an almost beef jerky thing, followed by more honey than vanilla notes. Lovely thick mouthfeel as well. Finishes brief and bitter from the e150. A soft breath out coated with smoke and salt is all that remains. Overall, it’s a gem worthy of anyone’s whisky cabinet. Even something as young as this 10 year old somehow carries a presence swinging above its weight (or age) class. A perfect marriage of sea, land and Skye.81.0 CAD per Bottle -
The one, the only, the Henny. 40% of the cognac market share belongs to this house, hopefully all of those bottles sold weren’t just because of the name. These notes also come from an industry standard glass and not the preferred snifter so that may skew things more in its favour. First off, it’s way too dark. Unless they have some 300 year old juice they put in the blend for colour (which should be almost balsamic dark at that point), it is heavily adulterated with boise. However, I’ve been around this stuff for far too long without drinking it and the consistency of colour does say a lot about the maître de chai’s blending skill. Nose stings a little, but as a sign of youth, I’m okay with it. Apple orchard, lots of floral notes that I want to say are rose and lilac, purple drink (seriously) and some kind of sugar. Maybe blueberry honey? Palate betrays the age again, but as I’ve been enjoying younger and younger spirits of late, that isn’t a complaint. Aggressive with cinnamon and clove, grapeyness that reminds me of the campo de encanto pisco. Very faint oak notes, as it should be. Mouthfeel is a bit thin, somewhere on the lighter side of medium but not outright watery. Finish lasts longer the more you drink which may be dangerous for some. Used coffee filters, and some bitter notes from the colouring. Overall, it’s not as bad as I make it out to be to everyone that came in the liquor store looking for it. Is there better? Of course, but for the availability and really, the price, it’s not that easy to beat43.12 CAD per Bottle
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Tasting frozen, as I think vodka should be. And I’m kinda surprised that distiller doesn’t have a review for the third best selling vodka in the world. Nose is very alcoholic, but with mild citrus and somehow a vanillin note. Beautifully thick mouthfeel, it’s almost chewable. Incredibly neutral on the palate, it really doesn’t taste like anything. Maybe notes of grain in there somewhere, but pretty difficult to discern. Finish has impressive length for a vodka. It’s crisp, clean and easy to drink. My one true love will always be Luksusowa, but if we are looking to try something new, it will not disappoint20.06 CAD per Bottle
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Calvados Adrien Camut 6 Year
Calvados — Calvados Pays d'Auge, France
Reviewed August 6, 2019 (edited December 31, 2021)A great privilege to work for the company that imports this to my market. Where small batch actually means something, these guys are still making it the same way for generations. A treat if you can find it, but the older bottlings are true unicorns. Nose is apples, as it should be, but so much more. The French love their “terroir” and this is a shining example. It’s not just the scent of apples, it’s the stems and trees and soft, grassy ground beneath it. The sun is halfway between it’s zenith and setting casting a golden light through the leaves. It’s the smell between summer and fall with a lot of caramel and honey rounding it out. On the palate, it does taste young to be fair. But here it shines too, real cinnamon notes make it taste almost like an unsweetened apple pie. Nutmeg and clove make an appearance furthering all the pastry baking notes. It’s youth keeps the apple notes fresh and vibrant, like a good cider rather than being subdued by the oak. And for being only 6 years old, it has wonderful viscosity and tannic structure. I’d love to try eau de vie right from the still to compare. It’s finish is where it’s age betrays it. While excellent in it’s warming tendencies, it is a joy far too quick to flee. Parting is such sweet sorrow.134.99 CAD per Bottle -
Highland Park 12 Year
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed July 31, 2019 (edited October 20, 2019)With the new ‘Viking Honour’ version of the 12 yo out, I had wanted to try them side by side to make sure the contents didn’t change as most spirits are known to. However, a craving for a couple drams has now overcome those most noble of intentions and open the bottle I bought 3 years ago. Granted, this isn’t coming from a glencairn but there is next to nothing on the nose. A bit of oloroso sweetness, peatiness along the lines of Springbank 15 and maybe a touch of honey and just a hint of sea spray. Excellent viscosity, about the only exciting part of this malt. Palate brings nice warmth and a bit of sherry sweetness from very young, seasoned casks. Smoke comes through quite nicely. Underlying bitter notes from both the peat and less than stellar casking. Finish begins promisingly, but just falls off a cliff. Smoke and honey is about it before disappears. Overall, I’m happy I bought it when I did, especially for the price I got it at. But it won’t be replaced when empty52.99 CAD per Bottle -
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Straight Rye
Rye — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed July 3, 2019 (edited April 3, 2020)I like rye, I’m from the land of “rye” whisky but it’s hard to find a real Canadian rye that is a gem. So I’m stuck with Millstone 100 and a lot of American rye. For mass produced, column distilled swill, this preforms. Nose is unmistakably Jack, as it should be, but with substantially more going on. Brown sugar, white glue, banana bread and a hint of sweet licorice. Alcohol is present but far from dominating, impressive for a 45% rye. Biggest, and most amazing thing on the palate is the mouthfeel. Like drinking room temperature olive oil. Sweet, cinnamon spice, banana bread again and a lovely burnt orange oil note comes through at the end. I want to say I was finding some dill, but only when mixed with Pepsi, I couldn’t distinguish it neat. Where the palate ends with some fresh ground black pepper, that carries through the mid-long finish. Slightly drying, tannic effect that just makes you want another sip. Could it be better? Yes, but what couldn’t. Admirable foray into the world of rye, and extra points for not using mgp juice. Bottom line: it’s worth it, but expect it to be unapologetically Jack Daniels33.51 CAD per Bottle -
79, copied from TequilaMatchmaker. Kinda chocolatey on the nose, quite agave forward with some nutmeg in the mix as well. Coffee grounds. A touch of green vegetal notes that you have to search for a bit, but help with the depth. The more it’s nosed, the more alcohol creeps through and tickles the nostrils. Nice thick mouthfeel, some bitter notes reminiscent of greenish oak. Not much agave comes through on the palate. Which isn’t a bad thing, just an observation. More caramel than anything else. Finishes quickly and unremarkably. The heat lingers with whispers of vanilla here and there. Not a real Anejo fan, it’s not a bad pick by any means, but even with the limited Alberta selection, there is better choices for the money.80.99 CAD per BottleAligra Wine & Spirits
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Stunning grape vodka, I wish ciroc was this good. Very neutral on the nose, but also smells like marshmallows just a little bit. Slightly sweet on the palate, less so when frozen. Mouthfeel is much the same; slightly more viscous than most others at room temperature but left cold it becomes a wonderfully thick, palate coating treat. Finish? It's vodka, less burning more warmth with little to no flavour outside of alcohol. Highly recommend this vodka to anyone looking to step up their choice beyond goose or belvedere49.99 CAD per Bottle
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