It's been at least 12 years since I last had this - and then it was mixed with coca cola. I've probably sipped on this bottle once, but I don't recall. The bottle in question was gifted by a family member, is full to the neck but has been opened and has been in my posession for at least 5 years. That said... Black Velvet is a Canadian whisky. In fact, its the number 2 selling Canadian whisky after Crown Royal. Its owned by Heaven Hill and produced in the Black Velvet Distillery in Lethbridge, Alberta. Tasted neat in a glencairn. I let the drink rest for about 5 minutes before evaluating. The pour is a brassy, light color. Not much viscosity to the swirl. The nose has immediate notes of grain alcohol, and something a bit sweeter with fruity notes. Overall the nose is indistinct and thin. On the palate the thin nature continues. The whiskey is a bit watery, with no appreciable finish. It's not satisfying at all. There's a little drop of sweet, a bit of alcohol and then a flash of white pepper. Finally, there's a bit of a bitter aftertaste. I have no idea what I'll do with the rest of this bottle. This isn't something I'll drink neat again, it's definitely a non-descript mixer. Smooth? Sure, because there's nothing going on. Sweet? Maybe a little. Interesting? God no. (review update: after further consideration I realized I'd never drink this and won't serve it to friends, so down the drain it went) My scale is 1 to 5, with 2.5 being the peak of the bell curve. Most competent whiskies will end up between 2 and 3. For me, this one doesn't make the cut. I'm quite sure there are worse whiskies out there, and I hope I none of them end up in my cabinet. Hard pass.