Northern Harvest Rye
90% Rye Whisky
"Fine Blended Canadian Whisky"
45% ABV (90 proof)
~$30 (sample provided)
Color: goldenrod
Smell: very nice. Subtle and smooth. It's driven mostly by minerality, if that make sense. To me, it smells a lot like two specific varietals of white wine - it's got the subtle peach notes of an Albarino with the sweetness of a Gewurztraminer. All complemented with the more traditional clove and oak flavor coming from the rye grain and barrel influence. Also a little bit of soapiness.
Taste: a letdown from the nose. The fruitiness and minerality unfortunately don't shine through on the palate. Very little sweetness at all upon entry, and then the transition unpacks a strange bitterness, along with noticeable alcohol heat. The medium-length finish brings back a little bit of the clove and oak. I let it sit in the glass for a while and then sit again in my mouth before swallowing, but the only flavors that showed up were oak and clove, and primarily on the finish. Also (and this is weird), most whiskies coat my entire mouth - I can taste things all around my tongue, my cheeks, my throat, etc. With this tasting, everything was experienced on the middle-front portion of my tongue, and then slightly in my throat on the finish. That's not particularly apropos of anything, but it speaks at least slightly to the mild letdown this whisky brings to bear on my palate.Overall: I want to love the whisky, but it falls apart on the palate. The nose is beautiful, and made me really excited to sip (almost Lot 40 territory in terms of promise). It's not bad per se; it just doesn't live up to what is suggested by the sniff. B-/B overall, and a very decent value. To me, this is a compelling alternative to some of the well-known budget-friendly American ryes like Rittenhouse, Overholt, and even Sazerac 6. Recommended, but wish it could somehow put it all together, because the nose is stunning.
