Canadian Club 10 years old

[Gillman]

This iteration of CC has been around for some years, and contains I understand a higher percentage of rye flavouring whiskies than standard CC. Davin de Kergommeaux' Canadian whisky site (www.canadianwhisky.org), to which Chuck drew attention here some months ago, states that 30% of the blend is rye and rye malt whisky, which is much higher than the norm in Canada. He also states that part of the blend is aged in new oak and part in ex-Jim Beam barrels, after which they are combined and further married.

The blend is very good, very well-integrated, so that it is hard to tell sometimes whether the flavours are rye-influenced or coming from the wood and if the wood, whether the new barrels or re-used ones. Clearly it is "all of the above", it all combines to a seamless rich taste, sweetish, with "brown spices".

One hopes Canadian Club will at some point release the rye flavouring whiskies on their own, however, I am not clear if any is aged in that fashion. CC practice blending at birth as it is called, so perhaps none of the rye flavouring whisky is reserved for separate aging.

Anyway, an excellent dram at a very good cost. I emphasise price because with the plethora of new releases on both sides of the border, it is easy sometimes to spend lots of money and then be dissatisfied for one reason or another. That will not be the case here for someone looking for a good blended whisky at a more than fair cost.

Gary

[Doggerlander]

I just picked up a bottle at Liquor Barn because they have a $7 rebate going which means I got it at half price (if the rebate works). Looking forward to trying it.

[Josh]

It's been a while since I've had it, but I don't remember it being awful. I've never tried the 12 y/o, tho. Maybe I should.

[Megawatt]

It's been a while since I've had it, but I don't remember it being awful.

[ThomasH]

This is my favorite CC out of all the versions that are offered!

Thomas

[Josh]

Is that supposed to be high praise?

Something like that!

[Doggerlander]

Well, I tried it and, if my rebate comes through, it's OK for the price. It started off very promising with good flavor and mouth feel, but the finish leaves me thinking of vodka, which I don't like. I much prefer Crown Royal Black for Canadian, but it costs twice as much (before the rebate), so that's not a fair comparison. I'm curious to see how Canadian Mist's new Black Diamond offering will compare as it is coming out at around $15. I haven't seen it in stores around here yet.