Blended Canadian Whisky
Finished in Cognac Casks
40% ABV (80 proof)
~$50 (sample provided)
Color: light brown, and unclouded.
Smell: in keeping with standard blended Crown, pretty restrained on the nose. Some mild cereal sweetness, but there's a little more to it as well. To me, the supplementary aroma is reminiscent of grappa's funkiness - grape must and a hint of apple cider vinegar.
Taste: smooth on entry, with balanced grain sweetness that coats the mouth. The transition brings in a little bit of wood influence in the form of a mild and pleasing charred oak taste. However, an astringency also comes into play during the medium/long finish, souring everything with a strange lasting bitterness.Overall: I'm not a big fan of this one at all. It's decent, but especially considering the elevated price tag, this is a C for me. Standard Crown is much smoother and more pleasing for my taste. Ultimately I think Cognac is just kind of an odd choice for a barrel finish - I didn't notice it adding anything to the taste experience aside from a tannic edge and some harshness. It's arguably more complex than standard Crown, but the flavors don't meld together well.
