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
you make it sound canadian scotch is shit. but they do have some diamonds.
why not review good ones?
The short answer is that we have and we will. Forty Creek we think pretty highly of. We’ve also got a review of Crown Royal Special Reserve coming. Remember, the Gateway Series is specifically these low level entry drinks. We didn’t think too highly of Jim Beam either but their small batch collection is great.
Also, remember that Candian Whisky isn’t Scotch. To be called that it has to actually be made in Scotland. You might piss off quite a few fans of the celtic drams by saying otherwise. 😉
Well said Richard. We are not trying to piss all over the Canadian whisky industry. There are some great Canadian whiskies out there. You just won’t find them on the bottom shelf at your local public house. Thus, they will not appear in the Gateway Series. If you think we’ve left something out, let us know and we will endeavor to provide a review.