Review #053 Type: Canadian rye whisky Proof: 42% Comments: aged 10 years, white oak ex-bourbon maturation, finished in rum barrels Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Vanilla and spicy rye notes are most notable on first pass. Letting it sit for a minute and continued nosing makes me think of bananas foster. The fried fruit, the brown sugar, the cinnamon, and the vanilla ice cream are all here. Very sweet, the more I nose it the more I’m finding and enjoying it. Palate: 29/40 Nice mouthfeel but a little watery flavor wise. It’s sweet and very mellow, almost a complete lack of any alcohol burn. The first thing that comes to mind is rum raisin vanilla ice cream. Searching some more I can discern a mild cola flavor, honey, and some rye bread also. Finish: 27/40 Short finish. Rye spice and oak are most noticeable but they don’t exactly pop. I get hints of molasses and black pepper also, but it’s mild throughout. With Water: Water makes this a much more interesting dram. A couple drops further enhance the vanilla on the nose. On the palate, the rye spice pops and rounds it out very nicely, and the finish takes on a little bit of a lemon citrus edge. Total: 71/100 Final thoughts: This one is such an easy sipper. It’s not a bottle I frequently reach for but usually goes over well with friends who are just getting started with whisky. I stacked some promos together to buy this bottle at an incredibly discounted price, and am very glad I had the opportunity to try it. It’s an awesome value buy and good example of how sweet rum and spicy rye can work well together, but I don’t think I’ll be replacing it once it’s gone. Price: $22 Would recommend: maybe Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.