Alberta Premium 30 Year Old

This whisky passed me by as it did so many others...but thankfully with the help of @paddockjudge traded my way around to get a bottle, and a sample was procided to me as wel by @paddockjudge , for which I was very grateful. As far as I know, this is the only 30 year old rye bottling - if anyone knows of others do let me know.

Nose: Surprisingly more wood driven than the 25 year old. Maple, old mossy oak, leather, sharp rye, molasses, candied orange peel, toffee, caramel - dark, sweet, and rich. Dry, also. Vanilla, and an array of spices. 92%

Taste: Once again, great feel - and the weight of the oak is present here with a kick of arugula which carries the palate into the finish. The overall whisky is tinted with orange peel, and it plays interesting contrast with the caramel, oak, pine, and herbal notes of the rye. Spicy, rich, oaky - and this works very well with the rye grain behind it. 92%

Finish: Arugula, caramel, oak, spices - clove and cinnamon - with a bit of a spicy feel to it. The tannins are quite a bit higher than the 25 year old, but they are by no means too much. There is also some rye layered beneath the rest. 90%

Intrigue: Not as dry or complex as the 25 year old, and the wood has taken over a bit too much in this in that the complexity of the spirit is not as well presented as in the 25 year old. The caramel notes, though good, are pulling a bit more weight than they should. Regardless, a fascinating, complex, and wonderful offering from Alberta - and the wood is certainly shining through very well in this one. The whisky is quite full of both weight and subtlety. 95%

Weighting the nose 25%, the palate 35%, the finish 20%, and intrigue 20%, the overall score is 93