After Crown Royal, we decided that providing two negative reviews for the remaining Canadian whiskies was a bit overkill. So Richard took one for the team and reviewed two of the other three on our list. I think I got off pretty easy (the Canadian Mist was my contribution).
Canadian Club Blended Canadian Whisky
40% ABV/80 Proof
Nose: Citrus, vanilla, and burnt tire. This smells pretty awful.
Palate: I would say that the only good thing about the palate on this is that it got the taste of Seagram’s 7 and Black Velvet out of my mouth from the same tasting but that’s not an improvement. This is like industrial drain cleaner.
Finish: The finish is actually the best part. It is rather smooth but the after taste is too reminiscent of the palate.
Comments: Wow, this was not a pleasant experience at all. I know we pledged to review the often over looked entry level stuff as part of the Gateway Series but I can only hope that if you’re reading our site then you’re drinking better than Canadian Club. Please tell me you are.
Rating: Possibly the worst whisk(e)y I’ve ever drank.
Black Velvet Canadian Whisky
40% ABV/80 Proof
Nose: Juvenile oranges and rubbing alcohol with notes of sweet vanilla. Agitation make the nose almost industrial.
Palate: On the palate this tastes like unaged grain alcohol. Very little flavor and very rough.
Finish: It actually finishes rather smooth on the throat but it leaves a hornet’s nest in your mouth.
Comments: Every time I see this somewhere I think of that Alana Miles song about Elvis. Unfortunately this doesn’t resemble the King in any way, shape, or form. Don’t bother.
Rating: I’ll Pass (so bad that I’m adding another rating to our system)
Canadian Mist Blended Canadian Whisky
40% ABV/80 Proof
Nose: Really nice right after the pour, like high-rye bourbon. Sweet, toffee, and caramel. When agitated, the nose becomes antiseptic (rubbing alcohol).
Palate: Not much to it. It tastes more like a honeyed Lowland Scotch than anything from North America. The flavor is very delicate. What little flavor is present, is honeyed and cereal with an oily mouth feel.
Comments: This seems like it would be a good mixer. It stands out among the other gateway Canadians in that it is not retched. That being said, it is like whisky light. This could be a true gateway whisky for folks unaccustomed to drinking alcohol with flavor.
Rating: Average
So, there you have it. The Canadian round-up. You may think that we are being unfair to our Northern cousins, but we cannot help our tastes.
We still have a few more gateway reviews on the way, so stay tuned.
Slainte
Matt & Richard