Hiram Walker Special Old Rye Whisky

The reviewed bottle was opened 21 months ago and is 95% full

This review is in non-sequential format (SQVH); for more information on this format see my review and comment trail for Royal Canadian Small Batch

Strength: rye grain flavours are strong, but muted, for most of this bottle's open history. Wood flavours are relatively strong, but could be a bit cleaner Score: 22 all; 23 Canadian Category

Quality: the rye has been mostly hard and muted here, no real fruitiness until the bottle has become nearly 2 years opened. Even the spice from rye is muted here, which is rather strange and unusual from a rye whisky from anywhere in North America. The wood is present, but not especially tasty. Score: 21 all; 22 Canadian

Variety: the rye flavours don't give much variety within them here, and the wood is just adequate as a contrast. Score 20 all; 21 Canadian

Harmony: taken together, the flavours are nice, but not exquisite. Long oxidised, this whisky has improved its contrast and harmony somewhat, but who wants to wait 2 years? Score 20 all; 21 Canadian

Total Scores 83 all whiskies; 87 Canadian Category

Comment: I kept hoping to enjoy this whisky more than I was ever able to. I waited all of this time to write a review of Hiram Walker's Special Old Rye Whisky because I wasn't sure what I thought of it, and I kept thinking that it might unfold and open up in a really great way. It did not. This is ok, not great