Whisky critics like to talk this one up because they know it's also the source for a lot of great American ryes like Whistlepig and Jefferson's and Lock, Stock, and Barrel. But the truth is that Alberta Premium is a fairly typical not-quite-bottom-shelf Canadian whisky. And that the method by which most Canadian whisky is made means that it doesn't actually *matter* that this stuff is 100% rye, because a good percentage of the finished product is distilled to such a high proof that the constituent grain isn't recognizable, anyway. Flavours of vanilla, toffee, maple syrup (lots of maple syrup), distant grass, light fruit. A touch of oak. Some distant rye spice. Young and simple. Alberta Distillers is capable of making great whisky, but it doesn't really end up in ths bottom-shelf blend.