Rye the Rockstar!
Naturally, it’s impossible to talk about all the great rye bottles being produced these days, but here we have tried to focus primarily on Canadian examples. There are all manner of wonderful, complex examples being made all around the world, and worth seeking out.
If ordering online or from other Canadian provinces, we might suggest looking for brands like Alberta’s Troubled Monk’s GrainHenge, BC’s Sons of Vancouver or Stillhead, Saskatchewan’s Last Mountain, Ontario’s Lot 40 and Forty Creek, and fine rye spirits from further east (including Europe too). It’s a bold new world for rye lovers.
Alberta Distillers Reifel Rye Whisky, Calgary
I’ve had this more than a few times now, and this banger is made with about 90 percent rye grains giving it loads of that spiciness that rye fans crave. Slightly smoky, with dark chocolate, vanilla, and nuttiness on the nose, it’s a little hot on the palate – but only a little – with fine interplay between tannin and cocoa, cereal and spice. Absolutely delicious, and a fine homage to the Reifel name. (Look it up)
CSPC 869179 $45-50
Eau Claire Stampede Canadian Rye Whisky, Diamond Valley
One of the leaders in Alberta’s craft distilling resurgence, Eau Claire is 100 percent worth a visit (a short drive from Calgary) and 100 percent worth trying. Their Stampede Rye is a littler peppery on the nose with toffee and cereal characters, and bottled at a sipping-ready 40 percent ABV. Speaking of sipping, on the mouth – where it really matters – it’s smooth, spicy, and showing off versatility for sipping and mixing.
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CSPC 858674 $40-44
Broken Oak Alberta Rye Whisky, Grande Prairie
New to this taster, but a finely crafted rye whisky with a little extra oak presence. Mild notes of honey and spice with subtle floral scents under the less subtle oak and rye aromas. Packing a really spicy kick that persists through the very long finish, but opens up further towards the finish with peppercorn spice and some Asian spices too, finishing with a crème brûleé dessert richness. Mighty tasty. This one can also be ordered from the Latitude 55 distillery website.
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CSPC 890378 $56-60
Alberta Premium Canadian Rye Whisky, Calgary
A modern classic for Alberta palates, Alberta Premium’s 100 percent rye whisky is a staple at home and on the back bar. Lifted aromas of coffee, toffee, and lemony fruits, the rye aromas bring hints of buttery spices and candlewax. Finely weighted in the mouth, it’s got everything one needs in their rye. A fine choice for sipping by the fireside, but also an easy part of the drink for rye and coke fans too.
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CSPC 984 $23-27
Pivot Spirits Rye Whisky, Rolling Hills
Master Distiller Lars Hirch has been playing around to great effect with a number of locally sourced Alberta grains (including spelt, and triticale, alongside wheats and barleys) like their own, high yield rye. Bottled at 46 percent it’s remarkably mild on the nose with honey and flowery aromas peeking from behind the toffee and spice. Big and brassy in the mouth with lighter mouthfeel, but finely balanced between the spirit and fruit notes. Mixes very well, but the nod might go towards enjoying as an end of day sipper.
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CSPC 103744 $75-80
Park Distillery Maple Rye, Banff
Formally bearing the moniker of spirit, rather than whisky, this youthful, rye based bevvy is also made with Quebec maple syrup, bringing together a few Canadian icons, the Rocky Mountains and Banff, maple syrup, and if you wish, our history of prairie grains and agriculture. Bottled at 30 percent ABV this liqueur is surprisingly good with rich, dark syrup notes, a spicy kick, and not too much sweetness either, and a bracing, spicy finish. Loads of versatility for the creative types, but this might make some fun desserts too for the bold.
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CSPC 811638 $62-69
Ninety 20 Year Old, Calgary
It’s heavy bottle time (super heavy bottle!), but while you might need strength to pour it, even bottled at 90 proof (45 percent ABV), it needs little or nothing added to enjoy the tropical fruit, banana, and baking spice aromas that follow through onto the palate. The multi-distilled spirit lounges around in charred oak barrels for 20 years, and if that’s not enough, it spends a mini vacation in sherry barrels for six months before bottling, creating a rich and mouth-coating, rather good value sipper.
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CSPC 755637 $72-80
Ninety 5 Year Old, Calgary
Like its older brother, Ninety 5 year is also in a super heavy bottle, albeit a completely different shape and appearance, and also bottled at 90 proof (hence the name), but now benefits from a drop of water or mixer to soften the bite, mellow the sweetness from the corn, and bring out more of the minty flavour. The 5 year would make a wonderful base for Mint Julep, Whiskey Smash, and Cloverleaf cocktails to really complement, and enhance, the flavours inherent in the whisky.
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CSPC 756489 $30-33
Wild Life Rye Whisky, Canmore
This is Wild Life Distillery’s third (and brand new as of a couple of months ago) release of their rye whisky – and just like the last, made from 88 percent rye and 12 percent barley. Even at nearly 46 percent ABV, it’s really easy to sip and enjoy, with a delightfully figgy sort of sweetness that keeps you going for another sip.. and another… and the spice from the rye appearing just at the finish. One for those cool nights round your fire pit!
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CSPC 886180 $78-85
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise “Untamed” Rye Whisky, Camore
Mmm… just inhale the sexy sweet brown sugar aromas in your glass and you’ll be a fan before it even reaches your lips! Launched at the end of 2023, this collaboration with Canmore’s Wild Life Distillery has produced a spicy rye whisky with honeyed notes, just a touch of mint, and is that black pepper we detect? Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise chose their barrels of rye and then it was aged it in white oak for 3½ years. Worth a trip to the mountains…
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CSPC 892128 $45 (200 mL)
Centennial Canadian Rye Whisky, High River
And from Highwood Distillers (who are now in their 51st year!) comes Centennial Rye, a small batch, limited production whisky made from a blend of rye and winter wheat from family-run Twin Valley Farms, near Nanton, whom they’ve partnered with for more than 15 years. Aging 10 years in bourbon barrels gives a lovely, mellow dram, all honey and toasty notes up front and a hint of spice on the finish. An elegant, smooth operator.
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CSPC 387209 $28-32
Dillon’s Small Batch Vodka, Beamsville, Ontario
It may seem odd to use rye – known for its flavour – in a spirit often prized for its neutrality, but this is a match destined to be together. Made with 100% rye grains, the nose is light and slightly mineral, with only a little heat and pepper. Smooth and neutral – in the right way, with excellent mouthfeel and a graceful finish. Easy to enjoy neat, chilled if desired, but makes an excellent vodka mule too. A fine base for mixed drinks in the summer months.
Old Hunter’s Selection 7 Year Old Rye Whisky, Czech Republic
Coming from the Green Tree Distillery (obviously, it’s different in the Czech language) with over 500 years of operation, you’d be correct in thinking they’ve figured a few things out in that time frame. A little bit of vigorous swirling, and leather and toffee aromas emerge with all those wonderful rye notes and bready bits too. Extremely well balanced, but with prominent – very prominent, spicy rye characters, this is an excellent sipper that your palate won’t tire of. Beautiful!
CSPC 893970 $42-48
Canadian Club 100% Rye, Ontario
The team at Canadian Club has been making rye whisky for a very long time, so while their 100 percent rye is a new addition eleven years ago, it’s no surprise that like their other Canadian Club whiskies, it follows suit with the signature smoothness, along with a little vanilla and baking spices, and just a hint of creamy, caramelized oak. Gently toasty and
very much toned-down rye spice, so no need for dilution here or to hide it in a cocktail!
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CSPC 767076 $29-32
Sortilege Canadian Rye Whisky Maple Wood, Quebec
This is the sort of whisky where you wouldn’t mind if it snowed again so you can sit by the fire and look out of your window, and be so happy that you’re inside, sipping this sweet, smooth, and heart-warming drink. Sortilege Rye Whisky is made from corn, rye, and barley, and then macerated with toasted maplewood staves after barrel aging for three years - and before bottling. And it makes all the difference; think about caramel, burnt brown sugar, a little smoke, a little spice.. and all things nice.
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CSPC 102308 $32-36
