Blame Canada! 22-Year Canadian Rye Whiskey Review & Tasting Notes

 

Sometimes, you just have to love the name.

 

What does Canada require for its whisky to be considered Canadian? Many people get this one wrong – and I used to be one of them. I foolishly believed the rules were fast and loose. I was (thankfully) schooled by Davin de Kergommeaux, a respected whiskey author who 2009 founded the Canadian Whisky Awards and is one of the most respected gurus regarding Canadian whiskies.

 

I learned that making Canadian whisky is far more complicated than most folks think. Canadian whisky must begin with the mashing and distilling cereal grains (corn, rye, wheat, etc.). Each component is distilled and aged separately for at least three years in a cooperage of less than 700 liters, and the process must occur entirely in Canada.

 

Then, the art of blending happens. The corn and rye and wheat (etc.) whiskies are married. Additionally, Canadian whisky can have added flavors – up to 9.09%. The added flavors must be from a spirit at least two years old or wine. There’s also an option for caramel coloring (e150A).

 

Most Canadian whisky is called Canadian Rye, yet contrary to popular belief, no rye is required in the mash!

 

Then, in 2021, I found the Canadian whisky that changed my mind about Canadian whisky. You see, I was not too fond of Canadian whisky—any of it. I’d tried many variations and iterations and was close to giving up. Then, I discovered Good Day from Proof and Wood Ventures, a 21-year Canadian whiskey. It was delightful and earned my Bottle rating, the first-ever Canadian whisky to do so!

 

Fast forward three years, and I’ve learned to appreciate Canadian whiskies. I’ve handed out a decent number of Bottle ratings, although there has still been a fair share of Bust and Bar ratings.

 

Today, I’m exploring the newest Canadian whiskey release from Proof and Wood. I wish I could give a rating solely on a whisky’s name because it is fantastic: Blame Canada! (the exclamation mark is part of the name). I showed the bottle to Mrs. Whiskeyfellow, and she laughed and gave me a thumbs up.

 

Blame Canada! is a 22-year-old Canadian Rye made from actual rye grain: 91% of it is rye, and the other 9% comes from corn. To top it off, Blame Canada! is a single-cask whiskey. The sample I was provided is Barrel No. 3. Packaged at 58.65% ABV (117.3°), a 700ml has a suggested price of $200.00.

 

The distiller has not been disclosed, but based on other Canadian whiskies Proof and Wood have released, it is likely Black Velvet’s Lethbridge distillery in Alberta.

 

Some may wonder why I’ve spelled whiskey with and without the “e” in the same review. There’s a reason for that. There’s a rule of thumb that the United States and Ireland spell whiskey with the “e” while the rest of the world leaves it off. However, it isn’t a firm rule. Blame Canada!’s label has the “e” in it. For proper representation of Canadian whisky, I leave it off. When I’m specifically discussing Blame Canada!, I keep it.

 

It is now time to #DrinkCurious, and I thank Proof and Wood for providing me with a sample of Blame Canada! in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. 

 

Appearance: I poured this Canadian Rye into my Glencairn glass to sip neat. The bright golden liquid created a microthin rim and thick, wild tears.

 

Nose: The aroma included cinnamon apples, rye spice, orange peel, vanilla, and strawberries. Drawing the air through my lips exposed me to spiced nuts.

 

Palate: Blame Canada! possessed a thin and oily texture. The front of my palate immediately identified rye spice, along with honey and vanilla—the middle featured orange rind, mint, and rock candy. Flavors of cinnamon, bold clove, and ancient oak were on the back.

 

Finish: The interesting thing is, the more I sipped it, the creamier and softer the finish became. The first few swallows were extremely spicy, with clove, cinnamon, and oak spices. I experienced less spice in the third or fourth as the finish took on honey, vanilla cream, and rock candy flavors. Beyond that, the sweet flavors outshined the spice. Overall, the duration was 2:02, classifying it as long.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Beyond the name, which I already love, Blame Canada! is a well-balanced, layered pour. I enjoyed its aroma and what I tasted. I was impressed with the long, flavorful finish.

 

There has been a lot of time spent sitting on unrealized monies involved in sitting on a whisky for over 20 years. Is it worth two Ben Franklins? When a whisky makes me smile as I smell and sip it, that’s bang for the buck right there. Even comparing Blame Canada! to Good Day and Good Day & Sunshine (Proof and Wood’s previous Canadian releases), it is a notch above. It earned every bit of my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

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 to do so responsibly.