Rye the Rockstar!

BY TOM FIRTH AND LINDA GARSON

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.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise “Untamed Rye Whisky, Canmore

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…

CSPC 892128 $45 (200 mL)

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.

CSPC 811638 $62-69

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 little 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.

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.

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.

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 a 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.

CSPC 103744 $75-80

Wild Life Rye Whisky, Canmore

This is Wild Life Distillery’s third release of their rye whiskey, (available in our stores from a couple of months ago) - 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!

CSPC 886180 $78-85

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.

CSPC 755637 $72-80

Ninety 5 Year Old, Calgary

Like it’s 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.

CSPC 756489 $30-33

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.

CSPC 387209 $28-32

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