canadian whisky

[Starcar]

They are many varieties of Premium Canadian whiskies that probably don't make it out of Canada that are very good.

http://www.artofdrink.com/2007/04/pr...ian-whisky.php

[Rusty Jackknife]

Crown Special Reserve
Alberta Premium
Alberta Springs
Forty Creek
Wisers 18

Glen Breton is a unique choice if scotch is your thing

+1 This is a man who knows his rye.

RJ

[Aaron01]

Last bottle of Old Potrero I drank came from the distillery on Mariposa St. in San Francisco.

Woops

[Mottern Man]

can anyone suggest a good canadian whisky other than crown?

No (and I would not suggest Crown either) but get Canadian bacon.

I'll be honest, I love whisk(e)y but if I never have Canadian whisky again in my life, that's just fine with me. For my money, stick with bourbon, rye and Scotch, IMO you can get superior products at better prices.
I've found it's best to leave both Irish and Canadian whiskies alone.

+1

Irish ain't too bad though, if it were not for the price.

[Abagadro]

No love for Lord Calvert?

[rabelais99]

Here's the thing,

In Canada, most folks call Canadian Whiskey just plain "Rye". This is because our whiskey was historically made mostly of rye grain. Today's Canadian Whiskey can contain lots of rye (a 100% rye grain whiskey made in Canada and aged for 3 years in wood barrels can legally be called "Canadian Whiskey"), or almost no rye (a 100% corn mash whiskey made in Canada and aged for 3 years in wood barrels can legally be called "Canadian Whiskey"). Manufacturers seem to be annoyingly tight lipped about the rye content of Canadian whiskey (probably because Canadian consumers assume that there is some rye content in Canadian Whiskey). I've tried to find out the rye content of Crown Royal, for instance, and have come up empty. I suspect it to be quite low, as the whiskey is quite sweet (probably 7 parts corn to 1 part rye, or thereabouts). I find most products labeled "Canadian Whiskey" to be bland and unremarkable.

-::However::-

There are some whiskeys made in Canada that conform to the US definition of "Rye Whiskey" (meaning that it is distilled with at least 51% rye grain). These are true Rye Whiskeys, and tend to have nice smooth qualities.

The best inexpensive brand imho is Alberta Premium (a 5 year old blend). They also do a 25 year old "special reserve" version that is world-class. When the 25 year old was first offered a couple of years ago it was priced at about $30 (a teaser of a price to get people hooked!). Both of these are 100% rye grain whiskeys.

The folks who make Alberta Premium also make Alberta Springs 10 year old sipping whiskey. I got a bottle of this for my 18th b-day (ummm... a couple of years ago) and have been a fan ever since. The recipe has changed a bit over the years (it's a little less sweet than it was in the 80's), but the change is an improvement.

So, Canadian Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, it's all confusing. But don't give up. There are some really good Canadian products out there!
-------------
Alan

[ratcheer]

There are some whiskeys made in Canada that conform to the US definition of "Rye Whiskey" (meaning that it is distilled with at least 51% rye grain). These are true Rye Whiskeys, and tend to have nice smooth qualities.

The best inexpensive brand imho is Alberta Premium (a 5 year old blend). They also do a 25 year old "special reserve" version that is world-class. When the 25 year old was first offered a couple of years ago it was priced at about $30 (a teaser of a price to get people hooked!). Both of these are 100% rye grain whiskeys.

The folks who make Alberta Premium also make Alberta Springs 10 year old sipping whiskey. I got a bottle of this for my 18th b-day (ummm... a couple of years ago) and have been a fan ever since. The recipe has changed a bit over the years (it's a little less sweet than it was in the 80's), but the change is an improvement.

That is the kind of thing I was referring to in my post. I would really like to find something like that.

Tim

[mk-ultra]

I have a question related to this thread, but not to the original post.

I have a bottle of Canadian Masterpiece by Lord Calvert, which has never been opened. The seal reads "1959". My parents had this and it must have been a gift because they were not drinkers.

Has anyone ever had this and, if so, how is it?


Does anyone know what this bottle is worth today?

[kingb71]

Gibson's finest is good (better than Crown Royal), the 18year old Gibson's finest is really good.
I recently found something made by Kittling Ridge distillery called "Canadian Pure Gold" that is also quite decent & affordable.
I'm going to have to give Alberta Premium a try.

[BrightFutur]

My Canadian whiskey of choice depends on my purpose that night.

If I need to be at a party for a long time and not get too demolished, I like either Alberta Premium or Wiser's Rye Special Blend, mixed with canada dry ginger-ale, with a slice of lemon. 'Ginger and rye'

If I need to quickly forget an encounter with an ex-SWMBO I tend to reach for the Wiser's Special blend again. For some reason I can drink this and only this like water. And that's often how it ends up >.>

If I need to really enjoy myself, the aforementioned 25YO 'Special Reserve' from Alberta Premium.

I must say that I am enjoying the liquor prices in the United States. I almost cried when I found a half gallon of Wisers 10YO at Daveco in Colorado for 19.99

A 26 (Fifth) of Wisers in Ontario is 23 dollars.

I don't know what I'm going to do when I move back to Ontario and start shelling out just shy of 50 dollars for a 26 of Maker's mark.

[rabelais99]

Crown is definitely not the best we have to offer.

Far better: Alberta Premium (The best!), Forty Creek single barrel, Wiser's Red Letter. I have heard good things about Danfield's 21 as well, but not tried it.

If you can find the Alberta Premium where you are, it is dirt cheap and darn good whisky.

+1



.....and it's 100% rye!

Also keep ane eye out for their 25 year old. Really delicious sipping stuff.

I believe the 25 year old to best Canadian whiskey out there.

----------------
alan

[kingb71]

Alberta Springs is even better & it too is 100% rye

[Luc]

I'm glad I found that thread.

I'm a huge fan of Canadian Club. Down under, they received some Canadian Club 20yo for Christmas. Really cheap (cheaper than in Canada, go figure...)! I now know what to look for.

[knlgskr]

Here's the thing,

In Canada, most folks call Canadian Whiskey just plain "Rye". This is because our whiskey was historically made mostly of rye grain. Today's Canadian Whiskey can contain lots of rye (a 100% rye grain whiskey made in Canada and aged for 3 years in wood barrels can legally be called "Canadian Whiskey"), or almost no rye (a 100% corn mash whiskey made in Canada and aged for 3 years in wood barrels can legally be called "Canadian Whiskey"). Manufacturers seem to be annoyingly tight lipped about the rye content of Canadian whiskey (probably because Canadian consumers assume that there is some rye content in Canadian Whiskey). I've tried to find out the rye content of Crown Royal, for instance, and have come up empty. I suspect it to be quite low, as the whiskey is quite sweet (probably 7 parts corn to 1 part rye, or thereabouts). I find most products labeled "Canadian Whiskey" to be bland and unremarkable.

-::However::-

There are some whiskeys made in Canada that conform to the US definition of "Rye Whiskey" (meaning that it is distilled with at least 51% rye grain). These are true Rye Whiskeys, and tend to have nice smooth qualities.

The best inexpensive brand imho is Alberta Premium (a 5 year old blend). They also do a 25 year old "special reserve" version that is world-class. When the 25 year old was first offered a couple of years ago it was priced at about $30 (a teaser of a price to get people hooked!). Both of these are 100% rye grain whiskeys.

The folks who make Alberta Premium also make Alberta Springs 10 year old sipping whiskey. I got a bottle of this for my 18th b-day (ummm... a couple of years ago) and have been a fan ever since. The recipe has changed a bit over the years (it's a little less sweet than it was in the 80's), but the change is an improvement.

So, Canadian Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, it's all confusing. But don't give up. There are some really good Canadian products out there!
-------------
Alan

Hmmmm, corn more common/cheaper, rye scarcer/more expensive? Ditto other cereal grains used in distillation of potables? Wonder if some Bourbons have changed mash bill over the years to include more corn because it is cheaper? Some seem sweeter today than days of yore(& mine); George, Jack, Wild T., Maker's come most readily to mind.

Captain's Table was an excellent Canadian I tried while in Canada but I never saw it or Carlton Tower available in the US.

I don't have a favorite whisk(e)y, enjoy trying new(to me) ones. Wish all came in 2-3 oz. bottles so I could try more; that's why I call myself knlgskr. I don't care to drink in public; overpriced & drunks may be my color but not my kind.

Read where Irish W. prior to prohib. was extremely popular and therefore during prohib. was the preferred label(s) for rotgut peddlers and thus gained/lost rep for being same and has been up against that rep since repeal. Can anyone confirm/refute this? Would 'preciate either response.

Very interesting, will have to explore Canadian W. further; both in the spirit of enjoyment and/or acquisition of knowledge. Thank you one and all.

Ain't life wonderful, each day you learn something even if it is learning that you don't/didn't know it.

[ratcheer]

No, the reason bourbon is made of corn is so the mountain settlers could transport their corn to cities in a form that wouldn't perish during transport and the city consumers would want to buy. The quote from a lecture I received in east Tennessee was that "making whiskey was how they turned corn into money".

Bourbon is required by long-standing Federal law to be not less than 51% corn.

Tim

[Doc4]

I'll be honest, I love whisk(e)y but if I never have Canadian whisky again in my life, that's just fine with me. For my money, stick with bourbon, rye and Scotch, IMO you can get superior products at better prices.
I've found it's best to leave both Irish and Canadian whiskies alone.

I remember reading a comment by Kingsley Amis (when comparing whiskies) to the effect of ... leave it to the Canadians to make a dull whisky.

See, this is the Speakeasy, we're allowed to agree now.

No you're not.

[ratcheer]

I remember reading a comment by Kingsley Amis (when comparing whiskies) to the effect of ... leave it to the Canadians to make a dull whisky.

Now, that is funny.

Tim

[cybrok]

i will have to disagree with you on staying away from irish whisky. i really enjoy bushmills.

Agreed, it's my to go whiskey. I'll take a Bushmills over a Bourbon anytime.

Around here, the regular Bushmills costs like 1$ more than Jack Daniels and about the same price as the normal Wild Turkey, which in my opinion is only good to clean your digestive system.

For 40$, Bushmills 10 years is a great whiskey, as is the Black Bush for around 35. I just finished the Black Bush, but there are no more in the province :(


First whisky I ever tasted was Canadian Club, I had Seagram too, but I don't drink these anymore. I'm curious about Glen Breton.

[timmy]

Pendleton: 10 Years Old from Hood River Distillers they also bring you Booker's London Dry Gin. They also make Pendleton Directors 20-Year-Old, It is a little harder to find.

[Not A Nice Person]

40 Creek is a wonderfully tasty Canadian, but . . .



. . . their Double Barrel Reserve, in the middle there, is absolutely stellar. IMHO, it can hold its own against almost anything. Fantastic whiskey.

NANP™