Ep 149: Alberta Rye Whiskey Dark Batch Review and Tasting with Rittenhouse/Willett Rye Comparison
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- Опубліковано 19 лип 2017
- Today we do a review and tasting of Alberta Rye Whiskey Dark Batch and compare it to Rittenhouse Rye and Willett Family Estate Bottled Rye.
If you are interested in making a tax deductible donation towards our whiskey selection, head on over to:
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As soon as you said the build of the dark batch I knew it was the same as dark horse. Did a quick google and it's just renamed for the US market
We pay $20 USD for it here in Alberta, curious to what it's worth down there. p.s it pairs awesome with a really earthy nicarauguan cigar
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The Dark Batch is one of the latest of an increasing number of interesting Canadian whiskies to hit the U.S. market. The same product has been marketed in Canada as Alberta Premium Dark Horse for a number of years.
Wow, I dig the no BS, screw the traditional approach used to make the Alberta Rye. I love the idea and concept of traditional methods. But I also think there is a place for just doing what it takes to make something tasty.
I may be planning a few similar things, so cool to see commercial distillers doing it too!
I dig it too! glad to see Canadians that take advantage of the flexibility of whisky laws to do amazing things.
As a local Texan i love these videos. May God bless all whiskey. And you two fine gentlemen
I'm going to love a closing with a different toast from this clan. This channel is developing nicely! :)
Pew Heretic, me too! There are already good ones coming in 👍
I was at a fancy party and I shared a whisky with my father. He returned the favour with highland park 12 and DAYUM I forgot how much I loved it! Getting some asap!
YES. So good.
I tried to make a reservation at the Library. Guess what. They're completely booked! :D
nice
Hey, I have tried J W Blue for my brother's wedding and it was like liquid candy! By far the smoothest thing I have tried so far.
P.S. If you are looking for a more expensive Whisky and you are at an airport, pick up a bottle from the duty-free stores; hence forth the reasoning behind JW Blue.
ahhhh. Duty Free. That makes more sense.
Rex's surprised "yea" when Daniel agrees to the Dalmore 12, reminds me of a kid's face when their mother agrees that they can stay home from school today
Fun fact: Alberta only has 5% tax, in my home province of BC we have 13% tax. (P.S) I'll have to attempt to send you guys some whiskey.
Please do. :-)
Did anyone ever send you Alberta Premium DarkHorse? I can get it pretty easily, as i am in Alberta. I can also send a little Alberta Premium 25 year old as well. Its been sitting in my house for at least 5 years, can get it anywhere anymore.
Can't.
I am in Medicine Hat . It is so flat here , that
My wife bought me some stones for my birthday (and a couple Glencairn glasses too). While I totally appreciated the gesture, the stones don't really work to chill down my whisk(e)y. They come to room temperature far too quickly and the whisky might come down only a couple degrees or so. I am also worried they'll break the glasses, so if I do use them (rarely, and only so that she sees me using them) I'm always extra careful they don't move around too much.
yeah, that's basically how I feel about it too. Especially in Texas where the heat is significant. They can't seem to keep up.
Being from Britain, having a warm whisky is a problem ive never had to think about.
I work in a state controlled liquor store, and yesterday nearly a dozen new Scotchs were brought into the store to go on the shelves. It was like Christmas as I got to read the labels and rearrange the Scotch section of the store to make room for the new stuff. Unfortunately I don't have the money buy any of it yet... Yet.
One of my favorite things is when we get a new batch of whisky into the vault. I could do that for hours.
Try 2 gingers Irish whiskey! It's a really smooth low priced one, obviously a large ginger taste but hints of vanilla and deliciousness! My dad bought it to make Shepards pie but when I tried it I had to mooch the bottle from him without his noticing. Such a smooth lovely whiskey with an original flavor!
We have it in the vault! I'll add it to the list.
Just picked up a bottle of Johnnie Gold Label (it was on sale for less than the Jack Single Barrel I was going to grab and I decided to try something new lol) and was "gifted" an almost full bottle of Glenfiddich 12 for my birthday yesterday. tried the Walker and despite the bland reviews I had seen on it, it was very interesting and delicious to me, cant wait to try the Glenfiddich tonight!
I actually dig the gold. We'll review it soon.
Sweet! Cant wait to see it!
Thanks for doing this one!
loved the toast!!
Dark horse is one of my favorite whisky and my number one canadian so far. A must try IMO.
As a Canadian, I know we call several whiskies 'Rye' that wouldn't be considered Rye by US standards. If you asked for a 'rye and ginger' in a bar in Canada they would serve you Crown Royal and Canada Dry.
Just bought the willet family reserve so hope it’s decent, and now I need to buy some dalmore 12, I only have the 15 and it is lovely.
The stones dont drop the juice as much as the ice because the amount of energy absorbed by the ice(water) from changing state. If I recall, the melting actually contributes more to the temp than the temp difference.
That is exactly correct!
Great tasting! Rittenhouse is my "benchmark" rye for comparison.
Hey guys, came across your channel through The Modern Rouge episodes, I watch your show alot now. I've mainly always drank Buchanan's, from 12yr to the red seal edition I was wondering if that could be a review for the future. Side note I hope I can go visit your location soon.
Just got some! We'll do it soon.
Please do Lot 40 (Rye or 2012 Release) some time. Thanks for making this video. Did not know Dark Batch was a blend of Canadian Rye, Bourbon, & (actual) Sherry.
Yes! Wild, huh. Those wacky Canadian laws
Have to give you guys props after your recommendation of dalmore 12 I went and bought a bottle. Last night I was drinking some and watching baseball and my dad asks to try it. He proceeds to finish to the glass, which is astonishing for a man who proclaims to prefer "a nice glass of ice tea" to any liquor. So even though he pulled a mooch on me I was just thrilled he finally liked one of my scotchs. Any suggestions on what I should get next for him to try? My goal is to be able to sit down with my dad and discuss tasting notes.
THIS IS AWESOME! Bringing family together one whisky at a time.
Not surprised he loved it. I would head to some solid blends or even some smoother highlands/speysides. Maybe Glencadam15 to start. Or Monkey Shoulder, Deanston, or even Oban.
This! This is why everyone is so fan-boyed on you two dip sticks. Andrew asks, you freaking answer...! And..and with an excited, sincere and genuinely concerned answer. Hell, I'd be surprised if Daniel didn't contact you a couple months from now just to ask how things went. When Rex sets up our links to watch each other drink our whiskys, I look forward to seeing you and your dad toss a toast to us. Fair winds, my friend. Tell your dad to tell us what he thought of it.....
I'd say progress to Dalmore 15! Still under $100 and a damn fine whiskey. To me, their standard range of releases are so different from one another. It doesn't taste like it's just the 12yo but matured an xtra 3 yrs. You get alot more varying flavors and complexity.
charlie.g.hague I appreciate it I plan on working my way through the dalmore collection.
Give him a Laphroaig.
Rex, what happened? You started the video with some apple juice in the mooch glass.....Today it's friendship day here in Argentina, so we are getting ready for a ASADO (bbq) and whisky night. Happy friendship day to both of you and all the members of THE greatest channel ever !
Happy friendship day! I'll try to eat some bbq in your honor this evening. And maybe an Empanada :-)
I think it's time for a facebook group to share some photos !
Apple whisk(e)y
I was stationed in Germany for 4 years and took a trip to Normandy with my buddy who had me try a apple whiskey for the first time and I loved it! Unfortunately that was about 6 years ago and I have no idea what it was called. I was hoping you could do an episode on a great brand of apple whiskey. Cheers guys
oh man. I have a feeling this one may not be my jam. But we'll see if we can find one.
Thanks guys, I'm an Aberlour fan myself and just about a week ago tried my first Dalmore 12 year thanks to you guys...I can't put it down!!! It gives off such a great taste with a full bodied cigar. I couldn't find the cigar malt in store but I'm still looking.
Johnny Blue is really not that great, considering the price. It is smooth, and very complex, but there are more interesting things for that amount of money. Like three bottles of whiskey.
I totally agree.
Lol three bottles. Love it
Everyone who I've ever heard talk about JW Blue (who knows anything about whisky) says it's very good but not nearly good enough to justify the cost.
Octomore is cheaper and way, way better than JW Blue. Still too expensive for my budget, but that's another story.
JW Blue was very smooth and complex, and I just had this, on-the-house...thank you, Father-In-Law!
In Canadian "Rye", you're allowed a percentage of flavouring. Canadian Club adds sherry to it, this is why many find that brand quite sweet over others.
Yes. Very common in Canadian whisky
Not common in higher end Canadian Whisky and not really as prevalent now as in the past.
If you want a good representation of Alberta Distilleries 100% rye grain and nothing else, Try Whistle Pig 10 or Boss Hog, Materson's 10 year rye, Lock Stock & Barrel Rye both 13 and 16 year and the best of them all Hochstadter's Family Reserve 16 year Rye, 123.8 proof, all from Alberta Distilleries
Back again because I love your videos! If enough people ask for it can you guys taste test Ridgemont Reserve 1792! I would love to see what you two think of it. It's around 35 dollars by me, but I find it to be a very good bourbon for it's price!
We have a bottle! I'll add it to the list.
There is a distillery called Lucky Bastard Distillers that opened up a few years ago in my city, they started out making gin and vodka and most of it is pretty good. When they opened up they started aging some whisky and pretty quick here its going to be time to open up some of those barrels. Since they are a small distillery and are only making ~300 bottles in the first few batches they have a lottery going to see who will get the chance to purchase one. If I win one of the first batches I'll send some to you guys next time I'm down in the States. I think it will be cool trying something completely brand new and I hope I get the chance to buy some.
flloooke, that's awesome! Good luck in the lottery 😜
This is awesome!
Ok guys. It's time to do a budget review of one of my favorites; Benchmark. Either that, or Bowman small batch. I'd also love to hear your opinion of Calumet. When someone bought me a bottle I tried it and wasn't that impressed and honestly couldn't find out that much about it. Would love to get your take on it.
I need to work on these!
Si, great content as always!
Rex after such a long time of enduring Daniels lectures aren't you slowly getting ready for a sommelier test yourself?
Yes we do.
Interesting how drinking one whiskey can change your thoughts on the next. I picked up Laphroaig 10 today. First drink, loved it. Wanted to compare to Highland Park 12, which I have loved. But when I drank the Highland Park, felt very sharp and spiky tones. What gives?
That will happen constantly. It's something I love about drinking various whisky back to back.
for your information Alberta premium is used in Whistle Pig Whiskey...Dark horse is for the money is pretty good
Canadian age, content and distilling rules on "rye" are much different than the US rules for bourbon.
The biggest problem in sending alcohol from Canada to the US (and the other way around) is that you need to lie on the customs form. None of the carriers - postal services and couriers, will touch it if they know what is in the box. Not a big deal if they catch it and it is a cheap bottle, but it is hard to risk a bottle of Stagg or Pappy.
Yeah, that's true. on both counts.
Why does the Norway navy have bar codes on their ships?
So when the come back to port they can
SCANDINAVIAN....
No... Just, no.
Rex OK well did you know the first French fries weren't actually cooked in France, they were cooked in ....
Greece
This will haunt my dreams tonight...
Rex one time I had a dream I was a car part. I woke up......
Exhausted
This is my new favorite comment thread.
Hey guys love the videos.. getting into scotch currently... you guys got a couple recommendations for some decently priced bottles that are good for new scotch drinkers. Started with lagavulin 16 and I love it but I'm looking for some less smoky scotch
Head towards the highland and speyside options! really anything that direction. The more you explore, the more you'll define your preferences.
That's where I was heading.. I was thinking about ordering a bunch of drams from masters of malt but that shipping to Brooklyn is crazy
Loved the Tom Waits toast at the end. An American institution, much like bourbon.
Nice catch!
I'm pretty sure the Dark Batch and the Dark Horse are the exact same, just one is bottled for Canada, the other for the states. It's a great whiskey for the price!
I'd be curious to hear these guys review of Willett Pot Still Reserve....
I have the Teeling 24 year old and asked if Daniel and Rex would make a video. I wouldn't want to give the whole bottle but I could ship a sample to Austin if you are interested. I also have some Four Roses I would like you to try.
Yes! That would be awesome.
I do have multiple variations of four roses. we can do that one.
Channel is growing fast! I'll see what I can do for you guys from Canada. Whiskey swap!
Sweet!
I don't know about the prices of the rare JW it seems for the same prices you can get better blended whiskeys like the compass box series, but that's just my opinion.
I completely agree
TW&M has the 200ml(I think)of JW Blue for 49.99
That was a good toast; made me lol
The recipe you described for Dark Batch is the same for Dark Horse. I think there is a name conflict causing the name to be changed in the US to Dark Batch. Is there a Dark Horse Distiller in US?
Careful with those stones guys..... I HAVE a shattered tumbler with them the first time I tried it 😢😢😢
Love me some rye whiskey
what is the diference between a traditional sherry cask and what macallan says sherry seasoned cask?¡
It's a marketing difference. same thing, they just wanted to make it sound prettier.
According to Richard Paterson, "Scotch on the rocks" refers to the time before you had ice, and the scotch would take stones from the river beds, that had chilled from the river, and put them into their whisky, hence scotch on the rocks... oh, and Rex? How do you make holy water? You boil the hell out of it 😎 cheers guys! 🥃💪🏻
Ug...
Daniel you had a difficult time with the Willett after the Dark Batch, what do you both usually use to cleanse your palate ? I like to keep a dime bag of COFFEE (gotcha you thought i was going to say something else) to whiff between tastings maybe a saltine bite but that's rare for me. i like to use a good Italian bread.
Rex you're doing an amazing job assimilating , Daniel into the "Mooch" way of thinking, that was a great pitch for a fee bottle of JW Blue LMAO , lot of fun taking my ten or twenty minuets every day or so at my desk to watch you guys
Murph
hells yes. The coffee trick works, as does bread. A weird one for me and smelling ( the crook of your elbow. It resets you to ground zero of your own personal smell. As long as you didn't just shower and soap up.
dont forget to pass my note along to Rex, dont want him developing a complex LOL
Its not as cold as ice - nice song reference Rex. But I think you missed it. Good review.
Rex you should invent the frisbee! thats a sweet toy
I was actually on the phone with my patent attorney this morning (really). I wonder what he'd have said if I told him to file a patent for a frisbee. 😳
i get the feeling you guys don't like us up in Alberta. and we do keep the best stuff to our selves.
We love Canadians actually. Just bitter about your beautiful whisky hoarding :-)
want me to try and send something down for you?
So an FYI...have just heard recently that the Alberta Dark Horse is being discontinued this fall. For those who love it, get it while you can...!
Not sure if the same will hold for the Dark Batch.
Well they're exactly the same whiskey
I like Jim beam, actually I love Jim beam, but what do you guys think about whiskey being distributed in plastic bottles? (the pint comes in a plastic bottle and is perfect for any sporting event) the plastic must leach a little into the whiskey and change the taste.
Meh, if there's a market for it - let them make money. I'm fond of glass and corks, but I won't begrudge another person for choosing plastic. Not sure about it effecting the flavor though. Maybe D has heard something.
I'm guessing the effect would take years. But if heat is applied, it will be faster. I've found the same thing with plastic water bottles.
The reason Canadian law allows for other things in whisky is because of politics. By adding up to 9.09% of American bourbon to their product, Canadian distillers used to get hefty tax breaks when selling their spirits south of the 49th parallel (i.e. 'Merica). I found Dark Horse (which is pretty much the same as Dark Batch) better on ice in an Old Fashioned/Rocks tumbler. Smooth stuff for 45% ABV. But definitely a dessert sipper.
this is an awesome detail. Never realized that about the tax discount.
Guys, any chance you could taste Talisker Dark Storm?
I just bought it, and don't know if it is just me, or the smoke is too much.
I like the taste, but it feels flat. Smokey, warm, bit of salt... Nothing else.
I'm trying to get a bottle! It's not easy to find here in Texas.
Say no more. I am flying into US for vacation in 40 days. I can bring it with me and mail it from within the US. It would cost arm and a leg to mail it from Europe.
Whole bottle is out of my reach right now (Three week US vacation tends to get kind of expensive), but I can sure as hell share a part of it.
After all, that's what whisky is for.
That would be amazing.
Johnnie Walker Blue is only £130'ish here in Blighty. Could be worth seeing my name shaved into Rex's chest...
Once I have two bottles, I'll send you one... Probably... Unopened... Maybe.
Love the Dalmore 12.
If it's unopened, I'll be disappointed.
Is there a monthly subscription that is worth it out there?
I haven't been able to try them because they don't deliver to Texas
Do you guys par take in beers? If so what kinds do you prefer?!
I'm a really boring beer drinker. Almost only UK and darker.
I came across a marked down vanilla porter that just blew me away. I could taste vanilla chocolate and a cream it was awesome. Imagine that me coming across a marked down beer. Lol
I know MGP is a bulk producer and a huge source for alot of whiskey on the market. Does MGP release anything under there own name or bottling company they own?
Jeremy A company in Cincinnati started George Remus and bought their whiskey from MGP which is just across the Indiana border. Late last year MGP bought the George Remus company. So they now have their own label on store shelves.
149 episodes in and Daniel is getting really good at mooching Daniel. That encounter with the whisky eagle must have changed him.
Great Brefast whiskey! Definite waffles and syrup notes on the nose. Not that sweet on the palette. No more than most low proof bourbons. Get the Dark Horse if you can. Whenever in CAN make sure to pick it up.
Dark Horse didn't impress me all that much... There's that really annoying black currant note that I would prefer not to be there. If Dark Horse were Alberta Premium (100% rye, 40% ABV) bottled at 45% ABV it would be a new benchmark for me...
Need to get Alberta premium!
Daniel, you mentioned the chilled Alberta read more as a 'dessert' to you. This is funny because 1) I did this with chilled Aberfeldy 12, with those in-your-face honey notes, and had it with flan and strawberries...holy sh*t. And 2) Whiskey Wash put out an article today about whiskey and food pairings becoming more popular. Is this something you guys focus on in the school, or would be willing to explore in the channel?
We do an extensive section on food and whisky in the level two sommelier course. And we are definitely going to explore it further in other channels!
Just this week I started having whisky with my dinners! So far: Grilled Cheese and Whisky, Hotdogs and Bourbon, and Chicken Salad with Islay Whisky!
Okay, I never said they were good pairings - but I did have an amazing smoked swiss cheese with a nice smokey bruichladdich the other day and it was quite tasty.
Belfry Mmm yeah! I've had an easier time with the lighter scotches since any semblance of smoke tends to overwhelm the flavors in the food (in my cooking anyway). However, stuff like cheese and especially grilled meats held up really well to heavier whiskies. Being from KC means Bourbon and BBQ was an immediate experiment :)
Okay, so on the 4th of July - I made a burger with fresh Scottish-highland beef, Kansas City Bourbon BBQ sauce (glazed whilst it was grilling) and that smokey swiss and some crispy bacon and it was probably the best burger I've ever had in my life.
It would probably be a too overwhelming for any whisky though. Yeah, I bet you're right with meats and cheeses, and maybe some fruits. Like a charcuterie plate or something!
Bryan Lushbough, I'm sitting in Daniels office. He's meeting with another somm now, they're discussing the food pairing portion of the class.
Daniel, I need your help!
A few months back, I met my fiancee's family out in New York. They are Puerto Rican and love their alcohol, but prefer their Heineken, Corona, and Disaronno. While I was there, they all poured shots of Disaronno and did a family toast, which I wa made a part of, signaling their acceptance of me into the family.
I'm scotch-Irish, and wanted to do the same for them when I see them next, and wanted to do it with some sort of whiskey. However, they aren't whisk(e)y drinkers, and I don't want to get them something that will make them hate me and curse my unborn great great grandchildren. Keeping in mind that they LOVE Disaronno (which is amaretto, if you didn't know), what would you recommend for them? I'd prefer an Irish or Scottish whiskey, if possible.
Absolutely do Irish. Either Green Spot or maybe a sherry cask single malt like Writer's Tears "Redhead"
And love that they welcomed you in with a toast!
You think that'll go over well with amaretto lovers? I've never had either because I'm poor as fuck.
You think that'll go over well with amaretto lovers? I've never had either because I'm poor as fuck.
I loved it too. It was cool to see a different culture do something so similar to my own. I unfortunately didn't grow up in the cultures of Scotland and Ireland. I'm the first in my family to pursue my bloodline and the traditions involved.
I actually need to buy my first rye, what would you go for? Rittenhouse £36, bulliet £25, wild turkey £29, rebel yell small batch £30, Hudson Manhattan £30, Jim beam £25.
P.s Jonny Walker Blue is £116 on UK amazon.
Bulliet. Then, if you dig it, Hudson or Rittenhouse.
Whiskey Vault The cheap one, Rex is that you? Lol Yeah, I was leaning towards the Bulliet but I liked the sound of the Ritten house, just found it for £30 on Amazon too.
I have to agree with them on the Bulleit, just because it's cheap doesn't make it bad. It was the first bottle of whiskey I bought and I found it really enjoyable neat and in cocktails.
Jarrod Frost Yeah, I just finished a bottle of Bulliet bourbon and I'm mourning its absence from my drinks cabinet.
I just tried Bulleit bourbon for the first time last Friday and was impressed with it., the other couple bourbons I've tried in the past all had a certain overly sweet aftertaste to me, which I'm guessing is more than likely due to corn being the primary grain in it. It was still there in the Bulleit but not as strongly.
Whoever said "all Canadians are nice" has clearly never met a Canada goose.
I only just got the notification, et tu UA-cam?
Rittenhouse rye, underrated? I thought it was one of the most popular ryes out there? You said you haven't seen one with as high proof as the Willet but I seem to remember a cask strength rye coming your way recently. I've never seen a cask strength rye before so that's why I picked it. I also liked it more than the others. Speaking of that, if anyone deserves their name on Rex's chest, it's prob this guy! My donation could've bought 2 JW blues! :)
P.S. You should tell us who the fine individual toasting us is so we can give thanks.
Ahh, yes. But I haven't opened that one :-) I'm saving it.
And yeah, it's widely purchased, but mostly shit all over by serious reviewers.
There's no question. We need to brand your name on Rex's chest.
The fine individual was Tommy Niemeyer!
I didn't realize my chest was prime real estate! I'm now rethinking many assumptions about my sex appeal, and booking a photographer.
For sure. It's yours, do with it as you like! Your boy Tom Fischer has a few short vids of Sonoma that are interesting if you haven't seen them. I'm personally looking forward to the Old Pulteney myself. I'll have to get gramps to watch that one with me.
You two are practically the only reviewers I trust and listen to. All joking aside you do give valuable info. And you're not so pretentious that you won't admit a budget whiskey is as good or better than top shelf ones. That really annoys me.
Rex Heck yea! You deserve be on the cover of Whiskey Mooch magazine!
Thomas H. Handy is barrel proof. Do you guys have that to do for a tasting? Rex would fall in love.
What are they both wearing around their necks
Joseph Castillo, a level 3 whiskey sommelier necklace, and a grandmaster whiskey mooch extraordinaire necklace.
watched the video on the monkey shoulders and i now its my top 5 blended whiskey
No, I think it is that bloody bourbon that makes this whisky soooo sweet. It tastes far better when cut further with more Alberta Premium 100% rye because it makes it less sweet and decreases the sherry flavour.
You Guys! Help!
A few Days Ago i saw the Vinn Rice Whisky "Review" ;P, NOW I want a Bottle, Willing to pay, BUT no way to Buy it in germany as far as i know... And the Bad thing they do not respond to E-mails,
So you got something to test, so maybe you have contacts that work! Can You help?
It's very possible! They only reached out to us via snail mail. So I'll have to track down contact info as well.
Have you tried reaching them on Facebook? facebook.com/vinndistillery/
their site is not visible for me. Maybe it's just for people that know them or it is something geografikal.
I see a bottle of JW Blue coming FedEx next Day! LOL
HELLS YES.
Canada's 9.09% Rule in effect.
The stones look like dodecahedrons, like D & D dice
They are! shaped the same, anyway.
Me being a nerd and having a habit of enjoying a glass of whisky while playing D&D, having some d20 stones is sounding really convincing.
jw blue is way overpriced but I'll say that about almost any whisky that is over 100 bucks
With all the crap you give whiskey descriptions, yours better be freaking fantastic.
Hine
Redbreast 12 yo
What the hell happened to Sexy Rexy's face?
#snobshaming fully accepted and endorsed by Mooch and Somme
Now Rittenhouse is going to be more expensive...
Even living in Canada I've never had Canadian Whiskey.
TOMMY!!!!!!
That intro, your roles reversed. Is today opposite day?
It is!
LOL! So good!