A Wee Dram… Flight of Alberta Premium

First off, this is not just A wee dram… it’s another trio of wee drams!

This is something that I’ve been thinking about for some time – doing side-by side tastings and mini-reviews of some Canadian whiskies from one of my favourite distilleries, Alberta Distillers Ltd, which is located in Calgary, just a few hours south of my home!

These are all whiskies that I’ve previously reviewed in more in-depth fashion, but I thought it would be fun to progress through the range that currently exists in my cabinet. For this experiment, I nosed the whiskies in order, and then back, and followed the same process for tasting before finally spending a few moments with each one – comparing it against the others as needed. My previous tasting notes and reviews were not consulted for this process but I did look at them before writing my “final thoughts”.

Pouring today:

Alberta Premium Canadian Rye Whisky

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye

Alberta Premium – Aged 20 Years

I didn’t open the 30yo… that one is being saved for a special occasion!

Let’s get to it!

Stating with the flagship offering, bottled at 40% abv… On the nose, it’s a clean, classic rye profile, with dusty rye grain and a sweet, buttery character. Lots of vanilla and, of course, that slightly yeasty quality that I find in all AP whiskies! The palate is dominated by caramel and butterscotch, with a nice grainy rye spice. Short, clean finish.

The cask strength AP (66% abv), unsurprisingly, has a much more robust aroma. It’s certainly similar but the rye, while still classically dry and spicy, also has a noticeably fruity quality about it and there is a more assertive oak note. The buttery quality is toned down and replaced with more spice. On the tongue, the amped up abv is apparent, delivering an assault of classic rye flavours and an astringent taste of black currants. Spicy, oak-infused and delicious. The finish on this whisky is much longer than the first one, with lingering menthol and pencil shavings that eventually fade into a pink-bubblegum flourish. The longest finish in the flight!

And on to today’s old boy – the AP 20, which is bottled at 42% abv. Again, the distillery’s signature profile is discernible, but the wood and rye berries are dialled up significantly. I’m also noticing a soapy aroma that I had not previously detected. Pine and licorice-fennel scents are also evident. This is the most interesting nose of the three drams. On the palate, a strong flavour of walnuts and a half-sweet butterscotch accompany the rye spice. The finish is on the medium-long side, with hot cinnamon hearts and green chilies.

Final Thoughts

I don’t usually write sections like this for my “Wee Dram…” posts, but it feels right to do so this time. This was a fun exercise! It was very interesting to thoughtfully compare these whiskies against each other and it was super interesting to discover how differently each dram tasted, when sampled after one or the other of its teammates. (For example, the cask strength came across with far more rough edges when tasted after the 20yo and it tasted utterly amazing after the regular AP.)

It was also very interesting to re-read my previous reviews after writing the bulk of this post. I found that most of the aromas and flavours that I teased out today were included in those three in-depth reviews but, somewhat surprisingly, I didn’t necessarily find them in the same whiskies, when sampled head-to-head. I suppose this is evidence of a consistent distillate and perhaps speaks to how the differences among the threes drams affected my senses between nosings and tastings.

At the end of the day, the AP Cask Strength was my favourite of the three drams. This isn’t all that surprising, since I’ve had a couple more bottles of that one work their way through my cupboard over the past couple of years. That said, they are all very good Canadian whiskies that, in my opinion, offer tremendous value in each of their intended markets.

Alberta Premium 20 Year Old

So I have this idea that I’ve been kicking around for a “Wee Dram” post… I hope to get that done in the not too distant future! How’s that for a teaser? (I’m sure that both of my readers are quite beside themselves with anticipation at the moment!)

Well, partially in preparation for that idea, I was flipping through some of my old posts.

Where is my Alberta Premium 20 Year Old review?

Did I do AP20 as a Wee Dram post?

Well, come on now… Where the hell is it?

I guess I haven’t done a review for Alberta Premium 20 Year Old!

This is a whiskey that I stumbled upon several years ago. During a beer-stop on my way to visit my brother-in-law, I noticed a display of AP20 on sale for something ridiculous like $40! Knowing that Alberta Premium makes great whisky and being a particular fan of their 30 Year Old, I had to try it and picked up a couple on the spot. Since that time, I’ve had a few bottles make their way through my cupboard… hence my disbelief that I hadn’t already written a review… that must have been during my lengthy hiatus from the blog!

Anyway, this whisky currently costs me about $75 CAD. It’s bottled at 42% abv.

To the Eye

The carton notes state that this whisky is aged in charred oak barrels – no mention of ex-bourbon or anything, so I assume that the deep, rich caramel-honey that I’m looking at is just the result of wood and time. A twist of my Canadian Glencairn produces a curtain that eventually releases thick tears and very stubborn legs.

In the Nose

It’s all Alberta Premium… but somewhat more elegant! Typical dusty grass notes are revealed to certainly be rye by the lovely berry notes. Caramel and vanilla abound, in a distinct butterscotch-sort of character. I often catch a whiff of yeasty bread in Alberta Premium products and I find it here too. Fragrant wood – almost sandalwood – also makes an appearance.

On the Tongue

All at once this is the taste of Canadian whisky dialled up to eleven! The creamy, almost oily mouthfeel delivers early flavours of toffee and peppery rye spice. A rye bread quality develops before erupting with a kaleidoscope of green chilies, cedar shavings, menthol and citrus pith. These bitter flavours are nicely matched by floral rye berries and baking spices. The finish is surprisingly long for a Canadian dram, with Terry’s orange-milk chocolate flavours developing along with the cedar turning to maple and a capsaicin end-note that just lingers on and on!

Final Thoughts

I love it! if I had my way, I’d wish for a slightly more assertive and complex nosing experience… but that’s pretty typical for drams produced here in the Great White North. At any rate, this is what 100% rye grain Canadian whisky is supposed to taste like! We’ll done, Alberta Premium!

Alberta Premium Canadian Rye Whisky

For the small handful of you who actually have set eyes on this blog, you’re probably aware that I hold a number of Canadian whiskies in high regard and that I’m quite fond of a few drams produced in my home province of Alberta.

Alberta Premium, in particular, is a brand that I enjoy. I have reviewed a number of releases from Alberta Distillers but I’ve not yet reviewed their flagship expression. This is kind of funny to me since, for years, this was the only “Alberta Premium” that existed and it’s really only in the last 5-6 years or so that they’ve offered some new and exciting whiskies. (As soon as I have a good excuse to open my last bottle of their 30yr old, I’ll have to do a Wee Drams side-by-side review of them all!)

At any rate, Alberta Premium, was once the rye-and-cola bottle of my youth and one that I moved away from as I got to searching for “better”, certainly more expensive drops. I have now come full-circle and now recognize the Alberta Premium brand as one of the best values in whisky. This particular dram is distilled from 100% Alberta Rye, is bottled at the minimum 40% abv and cost me a ridiculous $18 CAD!

To the Eye

It’s appears as a classic and inviting Canadian whisky… amber with flashes of bright copper. A swirl of my glass produces big droplets that eventually release into skinny legs.

In the Nose

Initial impressions are of a light and slightly fruity whisky. The fruitiness is all rye berries, accompanied by a dusty, grassy note. With a little effort, I find breezes of yeasty rye bread and aromas of caramel and vanilla, along with some subtle baking spices. Nothing super special here but nothing off-putting either.

On the Tongue

Considering how gentle the caramel, vanilla and spice was on the nose, they come across with considerable force on the palate! Subsequent sips progressively move that caramel flavour fully to butterscotch. Oak and almond skins join the party and, all the while, that dusty and fruity rye-berry note ties it all together. Super smooth, with a short finish of fennel seeds, oak and marzipan. Nothing to knock your socks off but a nice, quite-classic Canadian profile.

Final Thoughts.

You know, despite being unspectacular, I appreciate this whisky! I drink my whiskies neat, almost without exception and I can’t imagine what you’d get out of mixing the Alberta Premium, besides a buzz… Oh to be young again!

At the end of the end of the day, this is a very gentle dram that won’t really offer any surprises. If you’re seeking a surprise keep saving your loonies and buy something else. But if you’re not too proud to bargain shop, the flagship Alberta Premium is very smooth and easy-drinking, with some delicately delicious rye flavours.

$18?! Come on… it’s pretty hard to argue with that!

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye

I’m a sucker for a good Canadian rye whisky and, in my opinion, Alberta Distillers in Calgary are one of the most underrated whisky makers in my fine home province. If any sort of image problem really does exist for this distillery, I think it’s at least partly because they keep their products so reasonably priced. After all their flagship offering – Alberta Premium Rye – is readily available for $20 or less! Just because a whisky is priced so you can load it up with cola doesn’t mean that you should… but, if I’m honest, I’m guilty of looking to more expensive brands for my own sippers too!

Relatively recently, however, Alberta Premium has been launching more top-shelf offerings, with bigger price tags. (Still entirely reasonable prices for the age and quality of the whiskies, if you ask me.) Several years ago, I got my hands on a few bottles of their 30 yr expression. (I still have one unopened bottle waiting for a special occasion.) Then, seemingly in the wrong order, they came out with a 20 yr expression that I will also need to review sooner than later. And now, they have a NAS Cask Strength version that He Who Shall Not Be Named crowned as the most recent World Whisky of the Year.

I imagine that any whisky that’s received the title of Whiskey of the Year gets snapped up pretty quickly but we Canadians haven’t had to worry about one of ours claiming the award too often. However, back in 2015 Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye took the Whisky Bible championship and I do remember how quickly it disappeared from the shelves for a while. Well, the same thing happened again this year and, by the time I’d heard that Alberta Premium Cask Strength had put Canadian whisky back on top, it was nowhere to be found. Fortunately, it’s started popping up again and I was able to grab a bottle for $65 CAD. (Most shops have it priced quite a bit higher than where I bought mine…) This release is bottled at a potent 66% abv.

To the Eye

All honey-gold with flashes of amber. A swirl of my Canadian Glencairn reluctantly produces sticky, skinny legs. Entirely subjective observation… it looks exactly the way I like a Canadian whisky ought to look!

In the Nose

My first impression is surprise at how little alcohol burn there is in my nostrils! Cinnamon toast, plenty of oak, zesty rye spice and a hint of red licorices. Not super complex but well composed and very pleasant.

A drop of water didn’t change much but, perhaps, dialled up the caramel and rye spice at the expense of the candy notes.

On the Tongue

Far smoother than a 132-proof spirit has any business tasting! Of course there’s the expected dusty, spicy rye and plenty of caramel and vanilla but there are also a number of pleasant surprises in this dram, as well! Peppermints, fruity rye berries, a breath of bittersweet chocolate, and a very noticeable dry-fruit flavour that the tasting notes call black-currant, but I keep thinking of chokecherry. The finish is huge and amazingly long with oak, baking spices and a sweet fruitiness that eventually fades to bubblegum… just awesome!

With water, the typical Canadian notes are brought forward – caramel , vanilla and some peppercorns. Unfortunately, water mutes some of those really interesting flavours. Still good, but there’s definitely a reason this whisky has been left at 66%!

Final Thoughts

Great whisky. Really, there’s not much else to say! Alberta Premium has done it again – providing an excellent dram that is also a tremendous value. For the $65 I paid for this bottle, my cupboard won’t be without one!

A Wee Dram… Alberta Premium Dark Horse

A while back, shortly after Alberta Premium Dark Horse was released, I went through a phase of really enjoying this whisky and, probably for a year or so, I usually had a bottle of it around. I guess I found other drams that won the competition for my attention but, on another visit with my Pops, I wasn’t too surprised that he busted out a brand new bottle of Dark Horse… It checks off all of his priorities: Canadian whisky, check! Alberta distillery, even better! High rye profile, perfect!

Needless to say, I was thrilled to share a drop and find out if Dark Horse was still as good as I remembered. 

An extremely rich coloured, deep copper dram, I kept thinking how much bourbon-like character to this whisky. The appearance reminds me of Four Roses Single Barrel. The nose oozes with caramel corn and vanilla and, as far as actually drinking it, it’s the thick, heavy mouthfeel that reminds me of some of the better corn whiskeys I’ve enjoyed. In terms of flavour, there’s quite a lot going on – burnt sugar and toasted oak, a herbal, menthol flavour and some nice rye spicy-sourness near the end. In the finish, I also found a distinct sherry theme. 

By now I think most people who care about whisky have heard that Alberta Distillers went way outside the box to construct their Dark Horse. Yeah, it’s made with an unconventional mixture of approximately 91% rye whisky, 8% corn whisky (bourbon-style, they say) and 1% sherry… But who cares? ABD are completely up front about how they make this whisky, it’s made within the rules that have been set for Canadian whisky and, most importantly it’s a delicious sipper. Grab a bottle… Alberta Premium Dark Horse has interesting flavours and qualities that are rarely found in Canadian drams. 

Alberta Premium 30 Year Old Rye Whisky

Alberta Distillers is, in my opinion, one of the most under-appreciated makers of Canadian Whisky. Known primarily for their extremely affordable but high quality 100% rye whiskies, Alberta Distillers have recently begun to push their way into the more premium market with expressions that feature bolder flavours (such as their bourbon and sherry infused Dark Horse Whisky) and some very old – especially for Canadian Whiskies – age statement drams.

Although there was a 25yr expression released several years ago, the Alberta Premium 30 Year Old is the most mature expression to date and in a world where Canadian whiskies often take pride in reaching even an 8-year maturation, this is rather remarkable. According to the tasting notes on the box, this whisky is “Canada’s oldest and rarest 100% Rye Whisky.”  When this whisky was released a couple of years ago, it was available for the amazing price of about $55 per bottle, making it easy to justify grabbing a bottle out of curiosity. At that price, I wasn’t surprised that it was sold out when I rushed back to get more… fortunately my Mom and Dad support my dramming habit and they had already picked up a couple bottles which were gifted to me at my next birthday and Christmas, respectively… yeah, my parents are the best!

While my glass was filled from the second bottle, the picture shows my the third and only remaining unopened bottle.  This whisky is bottled at 40% abv.

To the Eye

I would have expected 30 years of aging to result in a more heavily coloured spirit… Nevertheless, this is a beautiful, typical Canadian whisky – bright straw-gold. A swirl of my Glencairn produces a thin film that quickly produces skinny legs that rapidly slip down the glass.

In the Nose

I know this is a strange description but, for some reason cola bottle gummy candies comes to mind. This whisky has a very unique nose. Obviously, there is the dusty, grainy character that belongs to rye whiskies but there is something fresher and brighter about this one. A floral character is front and centre and, while I’m not enough of a flower gardener to pin it down specifically, it’s both sweet and spicy at the same.  There is plenty of vanilla and, floating in the breezes are some mandarin oranges and a hint of cinnamon and maybe even a wisp of bourbon-like corn. Oak eventually makes an appearance but it’s extremely gentle for a whisky that’s spent so much time in the cask.

On the Tongue

Spicy rye, of course…. It’s absolutely delicious!  There is a slight honeyed sweetness along with the flavours of cinnamon, cardamom and a hint of peppery ginger which warm the mouth. Vanilla is fairly front and centre and, eventually, oak again makes it’s appearance towards the end but the nutty, slightly bitter oak tannins linger along with some dark chocolate and black pepper in what is a fairly lengthy finish for a Canadian dram.  A nice gentle warmth in the throat leads to the next sip.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes I wonder if I give older whiskies extra credit… I mean, it’s 30 years old so it must be special right?!  Regardless of the age, however, this Canadian whisky is something else and I feel fortunate to have gotten my hands on a few bottles! If you like rye whisky, Alberta Premium won’t disappoint, even if it’s the 5 year expression, but this 30 year old definitely takes pure rye to another level. It’s complex for a Canadian whisky but extremely drinkable and yet another proof that our whiskies, and rye whisky in particular, can stack up against the great drams produced anywhere!  (And let’s not forget, this is a 30 year whisky that retailed for about $55 per bottle!)  if I am allowed one complaint, it would be that a whisky this old and this special should have been allowed to remain above 80 proof… I would have loved to see what this dram might have offered at 45% or higher!