Canadian Whisky

[cowdery]

I'll say this in a new thread, but the comments about Crown Royal made me think of it. I like Crown Royal. I can drink Crown Royal. I have a couple bottles of very fine Canadian whisky in my cupboard right now -- not CR but good ones, whiskies I like -- yet they just sit there. Same deal with a couple bottles of scotch. I hardly ever go to them. Why not? Because I have all this bourbon and rye, and at the moment of "what do I want to drink right now," the Canadians and scotches just never seem to beat the bourbons and ryes.

There, I've said it.

[Gillman]

I tend to agree with this viz. Canadian whisky. I think once the taste for straight whiskey is acquired, it is hard to "shift back". I find this even with the better Canadians, but not however with single malt and good Irish whisky. The "unity" between American straights and British and Irish quality whiskies seems evident to me, but Canadian whisky is a different story and I think it is because it contains so little traditional-style low proof spirit.

Gary

[ILLfarmboy]

What surprises me is whiskeys like Canadian Mist and Windsor Canadian continue to outsell straights. I think many people start out on such bland fair and come to believe whiskey should taste that way. Sort of like processed cheese spread vs. real cheese. What percentage of people who buy Canadian or blended American whiskeys actualy know they are buying whiskey flavored vodka; GNS with only a minority percentage of real whiskey?

As for Crown Royal, I just can't see spending that kind of money on a weak flavored dram. Now, if someone else is buying, I'll drink it. But If I'm buying and I'm in the mood for something un-challenging give something Irish.

[Joeluka]

How much is CR by you??

[Gillman]

I think too people get used to certain things. Just as some won't venture beyond vodka, many stay within the precincts of Canadian and American blended. These drinks are very valid on their own terms, but it is hard for some (not all) to revert from one to the other. When I take Canadian, I usually add straight whiskeys to it. I like the blending concept, I just find it needs more straight whiskey. I also believe that historically, the Canadian-type taste was more pronounced in the later 1800's. I base that in part on having tasted once some 1950's CR which was excellent.

Gary

[heatmiser]

My default mixed drink outside of margaritas is Crown & 7-Up. I have yet to experience mixing 7-Up with any bourbons or ryes. Does anyone have any recommendations???

[Gillman]

Since you are used to it with CR, I'd try a mild bourbon to begin with. Even Early Times might be a good whiskey in this case. But for bourbon, I'd go with Evan Williams Black Label, maybe even something low shelf like Old Taylor or Old Crow.

Gary

[RoyalWater]

What frustrates me about Canadian whisky is the great difference in quality from one to another. I like Seagram's VO. I like Black Velvet Reserve, and BV is okay. Canadian Mist is an acceptable mixer, but it lacks for flavor straight; does anyone else taste banana in it? Same with BV, the basic product doesn't have any distinct note to the taste. I agree heartily with the thought that people get used to these blends and are intimidated by straight whisky, or just not interested in spending the extra cash.

[JeffRenner]

My default mixed drink outside of margaritas is Crown & 7-Up. I have yet to experience mixing 7-Up with any bourbons or ryes. Does anyone have any recommendations???

Bourbon and rye mix great with dry ginger ale.

The older 4 yr old Old Crow from Beam was made for ginger ale, I thought. I imagine the 3 yr old would be acceptable. Both are very light, but the 4 yo was a finished bourbon; the 3 yo is underaged and tastes feinty straight.

Jim Beam rye is also a natural with ginger ale.

Jeff

[ILLfarmboy]

How much is CR by you??

About $22 a fifth. Which if you think about it really isn't that expensive but I just have this mental block about paying that much for a blend. Silly I know, because I have paid much more for JW Black and Jameson 1780.

While standing in the store my tought process goes something like this: I could buy CR for 22 dollars but if I spend that much I might as well spend 35 bucks for CR Special Reserve (seeing as how it would have more flavor fron a greater percentage of low proof flavoring whiskeys) Wait a minute what am I thinking, 35 bucks for a Canadian blend. That's more expensive than WT RB. So I end up buying something else or nothing at all.