Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye Review

“100% Canadian Rye? Oh, here we go again...” were my exact thoughts when I saw this Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye coming to the market. But I’m happy to report that my initial skepticism was sorely misplaced and has helped restore my faith in what Canadian Whisky could be. Operative word being could.

We don’t often get releases like this down here, but when fantastic stuff like the Stalk and Barrel Single Malt show up or the big guys step up their game and release decent-to-good stuff like the Crown Royal Blender’s Mash, it’s awesome – I truly hope we get to see more things like this in the near future. And now that I’ve fully spoiled the review… let’s get to drinkin’!

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye – Details and Tasting Notes

Whiskey Details

Region: Canada

Distiller: Alberta Distillers
Mash Bill: 100% Rye
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS (5+ Years)
ABV: 65.1%

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Price: $70*

Tasting Notes

EYE
Copperish honey

NOSE
Butterscotch, apricots, hazelnuts, toffee, baking spice and bits of oak and buttered gingerbread (loaf not cookies). Soft, sweet and balanced, it’s not cloying like so many other Canadian whiskies we get here in the US. Adding a bit of water brings out some touches of peanut butter and lemon butter cookies.

PALATE
Butterscotch, sugar cookies, hazelnuts, baking spice, vanilla fondant and some oak and lemon. Super candy/bakery sweet but complex and, again, not cloying. This Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye is super interesting. Some water tames the 130 proof a tad and unearths a stronger buttery oily bakery profile.

FINISH
Long -> Butterscotch, herbal, Banana’s Foster and some baking spice. It just goes on and on and on.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well balanced, full body and a hot oily feel.

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye Review – Overall Thoughts and Score

Between this and the Lot 40, I’m beginning to suspect Canada is holding out on us. They keep sending us stuff like Crown Royal Apple, meanwhile, they’re up there getting cozy with adorable moose and drinking really good whisky. I’m of course kidding, moose aren’t adorable.

But I’m not kidding on them holding out on us. There are a lot of great Canadian whiskies that never make it way south of the border and stays sequestered in the Great White North. Though that’s slowly changing and we’re seeing a lot of good Canadian Whisky slowly starting to trickle in. Whistle Pig being, possibly, the biggest source of quality Canadian whisky at the moment, but this is a good sign.

I’m hoping we see a lot more soon. I’m hoping releases like the Crown Royal Blender’s Mash and this Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye aren’t just blips on the screen, but signals of what’s on the horizon.  I’m hoping this is just the beginning of what’s to come.

SCORE: 4/5

*Disclosure: The sample for this Canadian Rye Whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

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