Blanton’s Special Reserve is One Boring Bourbon
“Special” increasingly bears a negative connotation in our society, and Blanton’s Special Reserve bourbon is leading the charge. “What?” you’re thinking. “I haven’t seen this in the liquor store!” And you’d be right. This “special” bourbon is exclusively sold abroad, and thus rarely makes it to Canada…
The Macallan 12: Dropping Sherry Bombs
Sometimes it’s nice to get blasted out of your drinking routine, and that’s exactly what The Macallan 12 year sherry-casked scotch did for me. This single malt is notorious for bearing a much different flavour profile than its sweet, caramel Speyside kin, largely due to…
Elijah Craig 12 yr Small Batch: A Most Muscular Bourbon
As of this review, Elijah Craig 12 yr Small Batch is my favourite bourbon – and rarely do I make a statement like that with such surety. While Four Roses Small Batch previously elevated my expectations with its well-balanced subtleties, Elijah Craig took a sledgehammer…
Guest Post: Proof Whisky Leaves a Lot to be Desired
I’ve always been intrigued by the cool looking bottle of Proof Whisky. The 20th century medicine bottle shape is reminiscent of prohibition era cocktails, made with doctor-prescribed whiskey. The simple labeling and branding is fairly appealing allowing the golden straw colour of the whiskey to really…
Alberta Premium Dark Horse Rye Has a Bright Future
Those who stereotype Canadian whiskey as bland, characterless and best reserved for mixed drinks have obviously never tried Alberta Premium Dark Horse Whiskey. Brooding and dusky in the bottle, unadorned by the garish glass flourishes of its cheaper kin, Dark Horse certainly doesn’t look like your Dad’s go-to…
Small Batch, Big Taste: Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
Four Roses Small Batch bourbon has forced me to undertake an overhaul of my bourbon rating system. Previously, I was handing out high ratings to bourbon like I was giving away business cards at an ’80s leadership conference. As it turns out, I just really like…
Affordable, Accessible, Enjoyable: Auchentoshan 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
Some people have become obsessed with the notion that things have to be complex or challenging to be good. In Scotch’s case, it’s popular to pursue big peat monsters, or the cask-strength heavily spiced expressions. Yet, Sometimes, when you return to the root of something…
Head to Head: Talisker 10 Year vs. Talisker 57° North Scotch Whisky
Reconnecting with an old friend can sometimes be a bit awkward – your interests may have changed, your paths diverged, old jokes gone stale. But when that friend invites you to try a bevy of whiskeys – among them the legendary Talisker 57°North – you…
Potent Bourbon Taste From Buffalo Trace
When you think of good bourbon, you think of high prices. Or, if not high, at least pushing the limit you’re comfortable spending as they approach $50. Great bourbon, however, is not mutually exclusive with low prices. The perfect example of this is Buffalo Trace Kentucky…
Double the Wood, Double the Good: The Balvenies DoubleWood 12 yr Single Malt
I was on the hunt for a holiday scotch when I stumble across The Balvenie DoubleWood. This 12 year old has garnered something of a reputation after winning Gold for single malts 12 years and under at the International Spirits Challenge this year. Word had it that…