Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Canada The international reputation of Canadian Whiskey??

I, being Canadian, of course like Canadian Whiskey also sometimes called Rye whiskey up here but it seems on an international level it is somewhat scorned and looked down upon by many as not being in the same class as Scotch, Irish and Bourbon whiskey.
Why is this?? Is it just poor marketing by Canadian Spirits companies?? Snobbery??
I've run across several derogatory remarks by afficianados who seem to think that people who like this spirit have uneducated and/or unsophisticated palates.

Not trying to start a whiskey fight, just trying to understand.

Perhaps our American and British friends can comment?

My understanding:
it is not a "native' style whiskey to to the keepers of tradition in Britain, so it is automatically suspect.

Add to that the stigma that came with the 1930's prohibition in the USA, since bootlegged Canadian Rye was all the illegal bars of that long ago day could serve, does't leave Canadian Rye with many boosters in the USA, the largest market on earth.

I sometimes drink Canadian Rye, and like it, but think Scotch generally has more interesting flavours. I don't see the appeal of Bourbon at all, but that's probably from growing up in a different culture than the corn belt of the USA.

In my "drinking days" my drink of choice was Captain Morgan Deluxe rum, and I only drank Rye on days ending in a "y" if I was thirsty and rye was all there was to drink. Flavour or who made the stuff was secondary to the primary goal of achieving the desired level of intoxication.

That was a lot of years ago, and now I enjoy a good dark roast coffee a lot more.

castnblast;
Good evening to you sir, I hope the weekend has been a good one for you folks.

I agree with your thoughts on why Canadian Rye isn't really popular in many other sections of the globe.

With the utmost respect I'll differ with your liking of Scotch - but hopefully we can get past that difference and continue on with our discussion.

While I can't say about whiskey, in the wine industry that I'm somewhat more familiar with it seems that blends are looked down on often.

I'm not certain that all Canadian Rye Whiskey is blended, some seem to indicate they are and that might be part of the stigma - though that's a guess at best.

If you or the OP are interested in some of the smoother ones I've tried and IF you can find them I've enjoyed Pike Creek which is out of Ontario, Tangle Ridge which may or may not be still made in Alberta - haven't seen it for years.

Dark Horse is made in Alberta and isn't too, too bad, but to my tastes wasn't as smooth at the first two mentioned.

There are a few micro distilleries firing up locally, but I've got to say that I prefer something that's been casked for awhile rather than a product straight off the still pipes.

Hopefully that was some use to you or someone out there tonight sir. All the best to you folks and good luck with your remaining hunts this fall too.

Dwayne

Dwayne
The people saying they like Scotch are not saying whether they like the blended Scotch or str. Scotch. Many of the Scotch whiskeys are blended to achieve the same taste year after year.
The difference between American and Canadian whiskey is that while in bond Canadian may have grain neutral spirits add to make up shrinkage while American can not do this. Thus the Bourbon flavor gets stronger and The Canadian gets lighter and smoother. I sold spirits for about 7 years and this what I was told by the distributors. YMMV . Cheers NC

Love me some purple sack.......

I hope it keeps the trashy reputation, while I enjoy scotch the prices for the premiums can be staggering. So I'll continue to slum it with my Rye whiskeys.

That's kind of been my take on it. Candian Whiskey seems light, not as bold and heavy. I drink my bourbon neat and like a bit more substance and flavor. No snobbery, the northern stuff just seems like a different style. Like lager vs pilsner vs ale.......

Now here is a fellow with taste. Crown on ice =

The biggest problem Americans have with Rye is that we keep exporting Canadian Club to them while calling it "Premium" Whisky rather than the rotgut it is.


I like Rye with Crown Royal as my favorite followed closely by Gibsons Finest 12 year old Rye Whisky.

I like them all. Bourbon, Scotch Whisky, Irish Whiskey and Rye. For those of you who want to try something nice from North of the border, try to find some Forty Creek or Alberta Dark Horse. I think you will be pleased. By way of comparison both are more full bodied and flavorful than the rather "dainty" and sweet Crown Royal.

Try this one !



Tasting Notes

Nose: Slightly metallic, brown sugar, maple, orange rinds, allspice, cinnamon, rye.

Palate: Warm! Oh my, so much body. Juicy. Cashes all the cheques the nose wrote, and more. Cinnamon in the front with the heat, tobacco hints, nuts, citrus. Extremely well-balanced sweetness. Amazing depth. The extra 3% alcohol was a good call.

Tail: Cinnamon, honey, warmth, slightly sour. Beautiful. Long and drawn out. Begs you to take another sip, and I think I shall.

Or this one, for something different !



Style - Medium & Spicy �

brilliant amber with gold highlights; very pronounced vanilla bean underscored by apple pie spices and toasty grain whisky aromas; medium sweet and round on the palate with flavours of vanilla and spice in a medium length finish

Product line & info here: http://www.fortycreekwhisky.com/products.html

I am going to have to try some 40 creek. I have heard a lot of good things about it.
Hopefully it's available where I live. So is copper pot the one I should start with or shall it be barrel select or something else. I am partial to Gibson's rare right now.

Barrel select is the base level.

Copper Pot, the next & prices move up pretty fast from there.

I love the double barrel reserve & the other specialties, however, at $60 for a 26oz/fifth, you better be "sipping" !

Barrel Select is the one you should look for. It is very good and reasonably priced. I've tried some of their more expensive offerings and quite frankly preferred the Barrel Select. As I mentioned, Alberta Premium Dark Horse is another one you should consider.

Can't speak for the masses but rye whisky is my go to. Growing up stateside right below BC probably had something to do with it.

I do enjoy aggressive scotches and bourbon but rye tastes like home. Pendleton is my current favorite. Although it is not true Canadian.

In Sweden where I currently live, the variety of Canadian Whisky sucks but I make due with Lord Calvert. Probably rock gut to you folks but it is the best i can do over here.

Crown is good, especially the Black version, but I am no aficionado.

What do you find different between the regular crown and the black? Is black worth the extra money??