Black Velvet

Mini bottle tasting series. OK, this is the bottle and smell I remember as a kid visiting my friend's house. Seemed so elegant, even the name. Ahh, blended Canadian whisky bottled in the USA. Sweet vanilla and light grain on the nose. Whoa, look out! Oak and ethanol bomb rides over the top of a sticky sweet cotton candy base. Light color and body, but that sweetness feels cloying. That sweet turns bitter (an odd rye flavor? or oak tannin?) and then into a light acetone chemical finish. Mixed with Coke, this would serve its purpose. Beyond that, there are better Canadian whiskies. Much better.