Ellington Reserve 8 Years
Fine Canadian Whisky
40% ABV
$18
Website
What the Bottler Says
RICH . CARAMEL . OAK . LONG
Canada- Premium Canadian Whisky aged to perfection in charred oak barrels for eight years. This aging produces a smooth, mellow flavor for the discerning whisky connoisseur. Great sipped neat or on the rocks.
What Richard Says
Nose: Acetone and vanilla extract.
Palate: Reasonably sweet and one dimensional. Brown sugar cooked to a light caramel.
Finish: Hot, burning hot. It finishes rough.
Comments: I’m having a hard time confirming or disputing the origin of this spirit but it seems to be connected to Total Wine as one of their house spirits. And like most of the rest of TW’s house spirits this is a pretty sad imitation of a quality spirit. It’s pretty damn bad. If you need to experience this for yourself then bring plenty of cola.
Rating: Probably Pass
What Gary Says
Nose: Acetone with vanilla and cheap maple syrup.
Palate: Thin, sweet with light caramel, vanilla and a hint of maple.
Finish: Short with a chemical aftertaste.
Comments: I bought a 50 mL of this not realizing Richard had already reviewed it (as clearly had I read his review from 2017, I wouldn’t have wasted whatever pocket change I spent on it). Crown Royal was my gateway whisky, so it isn’t that I don’t like Canadian whisky. But this is pretty lousy stuff. Acetone isn’t something I look for when nosing a whisky, and doesn’t compel me to want to drink it. Couldn’t find any reference to in 2021 either, so assuming it is a Total Wine label – and some of their stuff isn’t bad. But this is bad. Just bad. I wouldn’t even use it as a mixer, because at 40% ABV, it has the same calories as anything else at 40% ABV (and there is a LOT of stuff I’d rather drink than this).