Canadian Rockies 21 Year Old 46%
Rocky Mountain Boxing Day Treat
5 988
Review by @Nozinan
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall88
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Distribution of ratings for this:
- Brand: Canadian Rockies
- ABV: 46%
My brother in law and I picked this up during one of our first whisky outings this trip to Calgary. It was discounted and one of my Connosr colleagues asked for a couple so @nosebleed bought one for us to try. We originally tasted it with @paddockjudge on Facetime and I was quite impressed. I tried it a few days later and was less so, maybe because of what I had been eating. Time to review it before I go home.
This was, according to @paddockjudge, originally produced for the Asian market. Other online sources suggest maturation in ex-bourbon casks, and that the spirit is 100% corn. It is alleged that this is made by the same folks that brought us Highwood 90/20, so essentially 1 extra year and 1% higher ABV.
According to the label, this is made from “The finest grain and the world’s purest glacier water from the Canadian Rockies”. Or, en français, “Le whisky…a été préparé a partir des grains les plus raffinés et d’eau la plus pure, provenant directment de glaciers situés dans les Rocheuses canadiennes”. The back label goes on to explain that extended maturation in oak casks for “42 summer and winter seasons” has tamed its sharpness.
This expression is reviewed in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting.
Nose: 21.5/25
Heavy syrup, alcohol, non-specific fruitiness. Caramel. Slightly grainy. Not very complex but quite pleasant
Taste: 22/25
Sweet. Spicy. A little spirity. Rich mouthfeel. Butterscotch on the arrival. Vanilla. Not a lot of fruit. Pepper in the development. Water sweetens it and the pepperiness subsides a little. (22.5/25)
Finish: 21.5/25
Dry, oaky. Peppery. Medium length. Pleasant. Water subdues the pepper. (22/25)
Balance: 22/25
A little on the sweet side. Not very complex for 21 years of age. The nose and the palate complement each other
Score: Neat - 87/100 With Water: 88 /100
I was very surprised by this one. Not in the least the fact that I scored it higher with a little water, which is rarely the case for me. Canadian whiskies seem to excel at getting flavour into non-cask strength whiskies.
This is very similar to its younger sibling, the 90/20. I would very much like to try a H2H with it someday. Somehow, I think that is likely to happen.
I’m glad my B-I-L gifted me one of these sometime earlier this year. I intend to open it his next visit and enjoy it with him.
The answer to that all important question, “would I accept if offered?”, is clearly a yes.
You've made a keen observation "Canadian whiskies seem to excel at getting flavour into non-cask strength whiskies." Bravo @Nozinan This undoubtedly is due to "extended maturation in oak casks for 42 summer and winter seasons has tamed its sharpness" ...that is Canadian Whisky Aging 101.
A h2h of Can Rock 21 and Highwood 90/20 is a worthwhile exercise; however, I am extending to you an offer to sample 10 Canadian corn whiskies. This will take place at a future gathering with @Victor. He enjoys Century 25 YO Calgary Stampede 100th Anniversary Ltd. Ed. 2012 and I wouldn't open a bottle of it without him in attendance.
Any other Connosrs interested in attending?
Proposed Lineup
Canadian Rockies 21 YO Batch 001, Canadian Rockies 17 YO, Highwood Ninety 20 YO (burgundy label), Highwood Ninety 20 YO (white label), Century 21 YO, Century Lot 15/25, Century 25 YO Calgary Stampede 100th Anniversary Ltd. Ed. 2012, Century Reserve 30 YO Single Rare Cask...might as well include Canadian Club 40 YO, Wiser's 18 YO, and Wiser's Red Letter.
The aforementioned whiskies are derived from100% corn distillate.
That all important question, “would you accept if offered?"