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.

[MikeDS]

I too rarely drink Canadian whisky. I have an almost full bottle of Pendleton that was a gift. Many Canadians taste similar to me, very sweet (almost candy-like) and far less flavorful than bourbon. I don't dislike it, I just don't reach for it as often.

That said, I think there are FAR more people who prefer Canadian whisky to bourbon. Canadian is "easier" to drink, mixes well, and quite honestly, isn't as "harsh" as many bourbons. That's how the masses think of Canadian vs. bourbon. Of course on this site we're a bunch of bourbon snobs so it only makes sense we drink more bourbon than anything else.

I've tried to re-educate people about bourbon but most have had bad experiences in high school or college where a bottle of JB white made them barf and have shunned bourbon ever since. Too bad for those fools!

[mozilla]

Crown Royal is between $21 and $25 per 750ml in the Austin area. Compared to $20 for a bottle of Wild Turkey Rye. On first look this might be very comparable, but when you figure that the CR is 3/4 full of vodka I can't see any comparable situation. Maybe if they used a top shelf vodka to blend with maybe but since I'm sure they are using bottom shelf, I won't be a buyer of any Canadian in the future.

A 1.75ml of CR runs about $52 or more. I could buy a variety of bourbons for the same price and have much more than a 1.75ml.

Jeff Mo.

[Gillman]

Those stories of early bad experiences are so common and have affected many evidently, and many here as we recently discussed.

Recently a friend who was travelling to Prague asked me if I knew anything of particular interest there. I said, "well, there is Pilsener Urquel, a world-renowned bibulous specialty of the Czech Republic". (Now he's looking at me with narrowed eyes). "Well", says he, "I overdosed on beer once when I was 18 and I've never had any since.". I said, "yeah but Pilsener Urquel is the original blonde lager beer and famed internationally for quality so if you are interested in local food and drinks try half a glass with a meal". Etc. "No", he intoned, "I will never try that". Now, not drinking beer never hurt anyone and I support fully the choice of people not to consume any alcohol, but I found the reason offered typical of countless stories I have heard. That must have been some beer bust.

Gary