Tastes

Crown Royal Blenders Mash (formerly bourbon mash) 40% abv, min age: 3 years, mash bill 64% corn, 32% rye, 4% malted barley May be bottled in Canada then imported into Connecticut. Aroma: fruity, sour apples, bourbon notes Taste: bourbon like, light to medium sweetness, fruity, charred oak at the back end. Over time it mellows out, losing some of the sweeter/fruity notes and letting the charred oak come out more. A decent whisky overall, nothing spectacular, but nothing to rag on either. Better than plenty of Canadian whiskies on the US market. Cost: 23.99 plus tax for a 750 ml bottle Grade: B-

Crown Royal 40% abv. No age listed, minimum is 3 years. Might be bottled in Canada, then imported into Connecticut. Aroma: apple, fruity, sweet Taste: moderate to high level of sweetness that dominate (maple/vanilla/toffee), minor fruitiness and oak. I feel like the last couple times I have had it, they tasted different, the first time I tried this I thought it was around a B-/B grade, it as less sweet and more grains/oak. For this review it was a lot sweeter, might have been slightly astringent, and seemed to be lower quality. I may revisit in the future. Overall, from the handful of times I have had it, it is average if you can find it below 20 bucks. Cost: ~17 plus tax for a 750 ml Grade: C/C+

Caribou Crossing 40% abv, no age listed, minimum is 3 years. Single barrel Canadian whisky bottled in Kentucky (Sazerac). Aroma: a general sweetness, nuttiness, very pleasant Taste: nice rye spice in the middle that lingers, barrel notes in the back end, cinnamon, nutmeg. Medium mouthfeel. Sadly over time it did not improve and astringency appeared, and the whisky became less complex. Overall it is an enjoyable and decent whisky. Cost: 99.95 plus tax for a 750 ml, overpriced in my opinion, these use to be around 60 to 70 bucks from my research. Grade: B-/B

Tap Rye (Port Finished) 42% ABV Does not specify where it is bottled so we can assume it is bottled in Canada then imported by Van Gogh Imports, Kentucky. This is a blend of rye whisky aged up to 8 years and is sourced. Aroma: maple, butterscotch, caramel Taste: not as sweet as it smells, some spice to it, minor brandy/fruity notes, not getting any port in this, over time it diminishes and an odd Canadian whisky note appears mildly. Medium body. Uses black synthetic cork which is unique. Cost: 36.95 plus tax (overpriced) Grade: C/C+ Note: Tap 8 Rye (Sherry finished) is not on distiller.com yet. I also tried this and it cost 3 bucks more and was a high average (C+). This one actually had an age statement of 8 years and was 41.5 abv. I expected better from both this and the port finished variety. I tried these around January/February of 2021.

Tap 357 maple rye 40.5 abv. Blend of 3-5-7 year whisky, if I recall correctly this is bottled in Canada then imported. I got an old bottle probably pre-2013, different bottle design. Maple syrup added to whisky blend then aged/rested together. Uses synthetic cork. Aroma: caramel candy sweetness/maple/butterscotch Taste: caramel, butterscotch candy, sweetness dominates, light to moderate maple flavor, a little rye spice, not much oak/barrel notes, very smooth like water. This was actually better than I expected and not overly sweet but overall it is a high average for me. I would recommend a try of this to people who like sweeter whiskies. Cost: $27.99 plus tax for a 750 ml bottle Grade: C+

Lohin McKinnon Peated 43% abv, bottled in Canada, single malt whisky, no age listed. Aroma: peaty, earthy, smoky, fiery and oak Taste: a little spice up front, peat, smoky, malts, seems young by the color. Overall this is a solid single malt with a very nice taste, just a little young and a little overpriced for what may be a 3-4 year old whisky. It is definitely worth the try. Cost: $44.95 plus tax Grade: B+

Lohin McKinnon Lightly Peated 43% abv. No age listed, single malt. Bottled in Canada by Central City Brewers and Distillers. Aged in oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon I believe (label a little hard to read on my bottle). Aroma: Sherry barrels and peat, fruity. Taste: light sweetness/sherry notes, peat and oak dominate. It is similar to scotch. Semi complex whisky with a short-medium finish. Very good and tasty if you do not mind the price tag. Cost: $44.95+tax for a 750 ml Grade: B+/A-

Lohin Mckinnon Single Malt 43% abv. Bottled in Canada by Central City Brewers&Distillers. Aged in oak/ex-bourbon casks. No age listed, website confirms it is aged for 3 years. Natural color. Aroma: light sweetness, fruitiness, very minor oak. Taste: grainy/malty, light sweetness, some fruitiness, and a light finish. Overpriced, I was expecting better after the great experience with the chocolate malt variety they make. overall, it's a decent whisky and would recommend a try. Cost: $44.95 plus tax for a 750 ml (purchased in California) Grade: C+/B-

Lohin McKinnon Chocolate Malt 43% abv. Bottled in British Columbia, Canada by Central City Brewers and Distillers. Single Malt whisky aged in Sauternes Barrels. No age listed. Aroma: wine/sauternes barrels, fruity, sweet, a little brandy like Taste: complex, chocolate, brandy, sauternes/wine barrels comes through, just the right amount of sweetness. Long finish and very nice aftertaste which changes as you drink the bottle. It may be a little pricey for some but a very good and quality product that is worth the money. Highly recommend a try. Cost: $44.95 plus tax for a 750 ml Grade: A-

Ha'Penny Irish Whisky (Four Cask Blend) 43% abv, no age, minimum is 3 years. Four different casks used. Non-Chill filtered, produced by Pearse-Lyon. 68% grain 32% single malts. Aroma: oak and a very light herbal note Taste: Moderate oak, light herbal notes similar to gin, a nice lingering finish. Grainy. Very smooth and a solid dram. It was a year ago since I tried this so I can not recall the spice and sweetness levels, of which I did not write down in my notes. I definitely would try again and would say it is worth a taste. I remember this being an enjoyable and tasty whisky. Cost: $29.95 plus tax for a 750 ml Grade: B