ctbeck11
Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye
Canadian — Alberta, Canada
Reviewed
July 1, 2021 (edited June 7, 2022)
Nose - earthy mint, leather, tobacco, clove, butterscotch, dark chocolate, powdered sugar, lemon pith, dry oak, underripe banana, anise, cherry, apple, nutmeg, white pepper, moderate to high ethanol burn.
Taste - mint, chili pepper, cherry, apple, banana, caramel, orange zest, vanilla, brown sugar, clove, anise, cinnamon, allspice, cocoa, tannic oak, moderate to high alcohol bite, finishing medium length with mint, citrus zest, and rye spice flavors.
This is how I like my ryes to taste. Big, bold, and spicy. Canada really shines with their ryes, if with not much else. The nose greets you immediately with strong rye spice, butterscotch, and an underripe banana note I find on some of its kin. It’s dry and tannic, but in a mouthwatering way. The palate is minty, spicy, and citrusy. Rye spice is in full bloom, and accompanied by orange zest, strong baking spice, and a chocolatey banana quality.
I found it apt to pour this alongside my WhistlePig 10 Year store pick, which is slightly less alcoholic and likely more aged than this Alberta, but they’re close enough to be cousins. Before my mouth emancipated itself from the rest of my body, I determined that they’re equally enjoyable.
The WhistlePig is thicker and more complex, but restrained. The Alberta is young and brash, a rollercoaster of an experience. It’s also $20 cheaper than my WhistlePig store pick, which is not a trivial difference. This is good stuff and worth buying if you like high-proof, high-rye ryes. The lack of complexity holds it back from greatness, but sometimes you just want to strap yourself in and hang on for dear life. A big thank to @pkingmartin for the pour. I’ll probably buy a bottle if I see one on the shelf.
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@MunsuLight Thank you! It’s absolutely worth it at that price.
I think I will need to get this at 70$CDN . Such a nice review .
@pkingmartin yeah—-that’ll be great—-thanks!
@PBMichiganWolverine I can save you a sample for the next exchange, if you’d like to try it.
@PBMichiganWolverine There are still a few available at a couple VA ABCs for $70. I think it’s arguably worth that if you’re into this untamed, spicy rye profile. Anymore than that and I’d have significant concerns with the value. Hopefully they increase distribution to the US and bring prices down a bit in the future. In my opinion, this would be a no-brainer at around $60.
@ContemplativeFox Thank you. It would need to significantly outclass New Riff Rye to become my house rye mixer, especially given the price differential, but I could see using this from time to time if you want to put some hair on your guests’ chests.
Was wondering if this was just a Jim Murray hype or any good. Seems overpriced here at about $100-125
Great notes. I had pretty much the same thoughts on it. I would definitely use this for cocktails if I wanted to up my game for an evening!
@pkingmartin Thanks. I love WhistlePig Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, but it’s too pricey to stock. I bet this would be just as good, or even better mixed. Now that I’m a Marylander, I’ll need to plan my trips to the ABC more carefully, but this will be on the list.
Great notes and glad you liked it. It makes an amazing cocktail as well. They seem to be getting easier to find at ABC stores after the initial buzz of Jim Murray’s whiskey of the year died down.