Lot No. 40 Canadian Rye

(Good Spirits Co. Glasgow – Virtual American Whiskey Tasting, 05 February 2022). A bit of a wildcard to begin with on this American whiskey tasting, given that this is a Canadian rye. North American, I'll grant you and we can let it slide... I've tasted this rye in the past and my notes and score are pretty identical to the last time I tried it. Nose: Sweet, orchard fruit, caramel, honey, orange Palate: Sweet, caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, floral/herbal Finish: Liquorice, black pepper, cardamom. Slight woodiness and charring. This is a very sweet dram, but with a burned/caramelised fruit note throughout. Distilled at the Hiram Walker & Sons distillery in Windsor, Ontario. 100% unmalted rye which shows all through Matured in 100% heavily charred virgin oak. Came joint last out of the six drams, with 0% of the final vote for favourite of the night. 65% of those present said they enjoyed the whisky.

I tasted this 100% Rye Canadian whisky neat at 43%abv. in the evening. It is chill-filtered with artificial colour. Russet-muscat colour. Complex and satisfying. Oak quality similar to a good bourbon. Nose: Bold and beautiful; butterscotch; barrel spice; maple; clove; dill Palate: Plums and red fruit; butterscotch; bold rye spices and oak; rye bread; black licorice; Sharpie ETOH burn; vanilla; black peppercorns Finish: long with warmth of the oak and rye, butterscotch and vanilla but still dry

Spicy like most rye whisky, but one of the better ones I have had.