Windsor Blended Canandian Whisky Review

 

It used to be that I was not too fond of Canadian whiskies. I had been on a multi-year mission to find one to which I could give a Bottle rating, and I did last year. Since then, I’ve discovered several other lovely Canadian pours.

 

Mrs. Whiskeyfellow has an uncle who indulges in whisky: specifically Windsor Blended Canadian Whisky. However, I’ve never tried it until today. I was perusing some random liquor store, saw a 50ml taster, and grabbed it.

 

One of the most respected Canadian distilleries is Alberta Distillers Limited. Aside from its namesake brand, Alberta Premium, it is known for being one of the few remaining 100% rye whisky distillers in North America. It also happens to produce Windsor.

 

“Alberta Canada is a rye and wheat growing region of Canada producing the oldest 100% rye distillate. The location is unique, at the foothills of Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains to the East. The mountains supply fresh water for fermentation and mash while the grain comes from the prairies. Large temperature swings between summer and winter months puts Alberta in an advantageous position to distill whisky which helps the whisky breath through the barrel and enhances the aging process for whisky.” – Alberta Distillers Limited

 

Windsor was introduced in 1963 by National Distillers as Windsor Supreme. The brand grew so quickly that National Distillers purchased the Alberta distillery to keep its stocks available. Then, in 1987, both Windsor and Alberta Distillers Limited were sold to Beam-Suntory.

 

Windsor is aged three years in charred ex-Bourbon barrels and bottled at 40% ABV (80°). It is available pretty much anywhere and everywhere and is reasonably acquired at $10.00 for a 750ml package. That’s pretty much the basement of whisky pricing, regardless of style or country of origin.

 

That said, it is now time #DrinkCurious and taste if it is worth having a bottle around.

 

Appearance: I sipped this whisky neat from my Glencairn glass. It possessed a bright, golden color and formed a medium rim. I observed a combination of thick tears and sticky droplets.

 

Nose: I smelled floral rye, lemongrass, and butterscotch. There was also a rubbing alcohol quality to it. Inhaling through my lips featured more butterscotch.

 

Palate: An incredibly weightless mouthfeel led me to taste butterscotch, lemon zest, and caramel on the front. Mid-palate was grassy with brown sugar, while the back offered rye spice and oak.

 

Finish: Lemon zest, brown sugar, rye spice, and an astringent taste remained for a medium-lengthed finish.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Nobody will ever sip Windsor Blended Canadian Whisky and be wowed. Some aspects of this whisky are not good, particularly the rubbing alcohol and astringent portions. Would Windsor make a decent mixer? Potentially.

 

Do I buy whiskies for their cocktail potential? No. Frankly, neither should you. You wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) cook with wine you don’t like, and the same applies to using whisky. Due to that, I’d recommend saving your ten bucks for something else. Windsor is a Bust.

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you do so responsibly.