Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Ice Cask

Anyone who has read this blog since the early days may remember that, in the early days, I occasionally had a probably-ill-advised propensity to compare certain whiskies to hockey players… I’m well past that now!

However, as a hockey and whisky fan, I was certainly intrigued when, a few years back, I discovered that the Great One himself was involved in a Canadian distillery. I’m actually surprised that I haven’t yet reviewed any of the offerings from Wayne Gretzky Distillery since more than a few bottles of Red Cask and Maple cask have seen the inside of my cupboard!

This review, however, is for the Ice Cask offering. From what I have read online, this whisky is crafted from a grain bill of rye, malted rye and corn and then aged for 3 years in ex-bourbon before a 4 month finishing in ice wine casks from the company’s own wineries. I am not a huge fan of ice wine but I can’t think of a more Canadian style of wine, so I was intrigued about the influences it might impart on the spirit. This whisky is bottled at 41.5% abv and cost me about $60 CAD at my local bottle shop.

To the Eye

Rather bourbon-like in appearance with its orange-copper hue. The legs on this dram are moderate but don’t really cling to the glass much as they speed down the sides of my Canadian Glencairn.

In the Nose

The initial impression I get from the breezes above my glass are those of a classic Canadian rye. Butterscotch and cereal grains with a bit of dusty hay and the distinct floral note of malted rye berries. I also sense a nice vanilla note. With a bit of work I also find a whiff of baking spices and ginger. (There a good chance that my sniffer is still not operating at full capacity after COVID!)

On the Tongue

Okay, this is interesting! It’s definitely a youngish but high quality rye however it’s my opinion that, not unlike an Islay scotch, a youthful exuberance sometimes allows the spicy complexity of the rye grain to really sing. On the palate, this whisky is spicy and fruity and floral all at once with specific notes of spearmint, dates and that lovely malted rye note. But there’s more: cocoa, caramel and a hint of filberts. I also pick up a grapey-winey note that is obviously from the ice wine but mildly reminiscent of port. There’s a lot going on and it is lovely!

The finish is surprisingly long! Distinct bourbon notes of vanilla and popcorn linger, along with a slight grape-skin dryness that reminds me of grappa. As these flavours fade, I’m left with a sensation of brown sugar and milk chocolate that seems to stick around until my next sip, regardless of how much patience I exercise.

Final Thoughts

This is a terrific whisky! As mentioned near the start, I’m quite familiar with other offerings from this brand but the Ice Cask definitely levels-up for me! If you enjoy Canadian rye whiskies and/or if you’re looking for something new and just a bit unusual to challenge your taste buds, I don’t think you can go wrong with a dram or two of his one!

I’ve given this whisky my “Damn Good!” rating. I’m not yet prepared to say Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Ice Cask is the Great One but I can definitely see this whisky becoming a favourite!

Glendalough Double Barrel

Once again, I’ve been on quite a hiatus from posting reviews. This time, though, I have a reasonable excuse. You see, I was all set with a number of new bottles purchased and ready to go… and then I ended up testing positive for COVID-19 on March 15th.

So what, right?! It seems that we’re all going to end up getting it, wouldn’t you agree?!

For me, the infection itself was not pleasant- a couple days with a wicked headache, several days of miserable body aches and general fatigue – but fortunately it was relatively mild. However, it was the lingering effects that kept me from reviewing whiskies for so long because it’s awfully difficult to comment on the nuances of the Uisge Beatha absent your senses of taste and smell!

About a week after my quarantine period had ended, I realized that I wasn’t smelling the pungent lemongrass-ginger hand soap that my wife stocks our house with. And sure enough, I soon discovered that I wasn’t really able to smell anything at all! My sense of taste was not diminished so dramatically but I definitely lost my ability to fully detect sweetness. (Fruit tasted terrible!) So, for the past two months, even though I’d indulge in a dram every now and again, I had no confidence that I was enjoying everything my glass had to offer.

So I have waited… for about two months! And I do believe my senses have returned. I’m not entirely sure they’re fully back, mind you, but neither am I sure when I will be able make that assertion, so I figured I might as well get back on the horse, as it were!

Here’s the whisky I had planned to review first: Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whisky, which I believe to be a single grain whisky. There is no age statement but the label asserts that the liquid has been aged in Bourbon barrels for three years before being and finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. It’s bottled at 42% abv. I spent just under $50 for this bottle.

To the Eye

Bright, almost sunny gold with flashes of a deeper butterscotch. When I do make my customary twirl of the glass, the resulting sheen crests dramatically before releasing moderate tears that trail rather thin, speedy legs.

In the Nose

Okay here goes… Malt and some other cereals, a distinct grape character and perhaps some subtle orchard fruits too. I also pick up a hint of vanilla and a bit of oak but that’s about it.

On the Tongue

There is more going on with the palate than the nose suggested… at least for me and my dulled senses! The first thing that jumps out to me is the creamy, almost buttery mouthfeel of this whisky, which also seems to carry a salty sensation of the freshly churned butter I enjoyed at my Grandma’s as a child. This is paired nicely by vanilla and a custard-like sweetness that transitions to orange marmalade. The finish is shortish but very nice as oak lingers before fading away with a flourish of almonds and a distinct dried-fruit sherry note. Good stuff!

Final Thoughts

I’m still an Irish Whisky neophyte and I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this bottle. (To be honest, I was drawn in by the attractive label!) Nevertheless, I’m glad that I selected it as it’s a dram that proves yet again that a whisky needs to be neither old or single malt to be quite delicious! It’s not super complex but, in my opinion, perfectly suited as a quality “daily sipper”!

If you’re familiar with this whisky, I’d love to hear if you also found it to be a bit basic on the nose or if my review proves my guess that my senses are still not at 100%.