Aquavitae Reviews Canadian Club Rye

In a day in age where the whiskey is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds, one has to step back and realize that there was a start to this whole whiskey thing. One part of the major picture known as whiskey was the popularity of rye whisky in the early 1920's and 30's. Then much like the dinosaur, it died out. new trends, tastes, experiences, and just bigger and better, rye left the American culture. Well, it is back. Rye whisky with it's not so subtle flavor profile is coming back and it is coming back big hitting the mixers, cocktails, and taste buds of the generation Z or centennials.

When you compare the major grains that whiskey is made from like corn, barley, wheat, and rye. Rye is a character all in it's own. It is not know for it's subtle profile and elegant presence. Rye bread? not one of the breads that people eat and say....wow, what a fine elegant bread. Rye is a grain unlike wheat that can grow almost anywhere there is dirt and soil almost no matter how little. Like a weed? mmmmm....

This week, I found a bottle of Canadian Club 100% rye and decided why not. Let's break from the traditional favorites of scotches and find some hidden gym that may be out there at a decent price. Besides, it's all about the experiences and enjoying it and that may not always come in a two-hundred dollar bottle of 18 plus year of Glenlevit, however that would be a very nice Friday night if always possible.

Surprisingly, this rye whiskey was not what I was totally expecting. I was expecting that very pronounced and overbearing spicy hit of a rye. Well, it didn't hit like I thought. First when poured, the color shows that of very dark honey with dark orange and red tints. Much darker than the average single malt whiskeys that I tend to keep in the collection. When nosed, it was very mild. A very slight odor, that is slight and faint. It is not overpowered by the alcohol or "whiskey" smell that comes naturally to this spirit.

The first taste to the lips and tongue comes as a very soft, supple, short lived, but creamy texture and flavor that almost seems bland in a way. Not what you expect from a rye whiskey. As a sip or two continues, then you get this light warming that is not overpowered by alcohol, although it is an 80 proof whiskey. With a very soft front end that reflects notes of baking spices and then has a spicy, but not super spicy finish at the end from the rye. The undertones of the drink is that of vanilla, honeysuckle, clove, and caramel with a bitter edge.

With as soft as they rye drink it, I do not see it much of a mixer as it seems it could get lost or washed out with a mixer. It almost seems like a drink to have on it's own or if mixed with very soft basic mixers that will not hide the rye whiskey. In the end, it is a surprising, but not exciting rye whiskey. I would have it, but would not go hunting for it as the character and profile does not lend to that of your regular or traditional rye whiskey. However, for the price it is a very good whiskey for the price to enjoy,

#review #whiskey #rye #ryewhiskey #canadian