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!
A Dram or 2 