OP, someone on your poll listed Clynelish 14 as worst ever. Its the perfect balance: salty but sweet. Toffee, dried fruit and swarthy smoke are finished with ocean-water salinity for what Tardie calls a multidimensional treat. Youre also incredibly lucky if thats the worst single malt youve had. I had to google Fishky. If there is one point Id like to drive home, that would be it, Livermore says. 8. But if a close friend is making a gesture it does taste a little better than it would otherwise. Region: Scotland | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Coconut, Caramel, Toffee, Vanilla. WebIt's terrible, but all Canadian whiskey is terrible. Region: Speyside | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Chocolate, Orange, Nuts, Glenfarclas, a sixth-generation, family-owned distillery, makes "super-affordable, super-balanced scotch," says Shanahan. That sounds like fun! Never miss another article! Theres some mistakes I havent put on the table here. I am part of a "club" where once a week guys get together and we take turns sponsoring the food and scotch for the week. I think my wifes comments sum it up perfectly: You cant make me put more in my mouth.. Sometimes, you are already drinking something more like a cleaning agent. These flavors carry on the palate, and theres some medicinal overripe, citrus blend, raw grain, and burnt toffee. All three that I've had have been super sweet. I tried to be polite and finish mine, but was convinced to do the same. Generally, this is the type of whiskey we imagined being served somewhere else. Last Updated on February 2, 2023 by Lydia Martin. Using someone else's notes / reviews to claim points. Because its overplayed or because you guys dislike it that much? A head-turner that can open your eyes to the pleasures of grain whisky. Canadian Mist has a heavy medicinal flavor, followed by some artificial sweetener. Best Islay: Ardbeg An Oa at Drizly. This whiskey is like a disaster. At the time, I said I didnt know what I would do with the bottle because I wasnt going to drink it. it tastes like cinnamon and regret. It's the college girl whiskey. Region: Isle of Skye | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Salt, Honey, Smoke, Bitter herbs. An airline bottle of Clan McGregor was the prize for anyone that got the trivia questions right. Two, they have gray hair.. Irish Diamonds 2005 AC Small Batch No. Taking responsibility for your own actions. New wood, used wood, wine barrels, it doesnt matter. When we do finishing in the base whisky, you really get an appreciation for what the barrel is doing, Livermore says. Changing your grain or changing your distillation method can change your flavor. She talked me into a sip because I do love salted caramel. All of King's County tastes like that to me. The aroma resembles a window cleaning liquid and acetone, while the palate has subtle hints of sweetness and oak taste. Your email address will not be published. Whiskybase B.V. cannot give any warranty as to the timely receipt or processing of emails or other electronic messages sent to Whiskybase B.V. and is under no circumstances liable for damages of whatever nature, in anyway resulting from the non timely receipt or processing of emails or other electronic messages sent to Whiskybase B.V.. All intellectual property rights, including but not limited to, copyrights, trademark rights and database rights related to the information, text, images, logos, photographs and illustrations on this website and regarding the lay-out and design thereof are the property of Whiskybase B.V. and/or have been licensed to Whiskybase B.V. by the owner(s) of those rights. And for the price I'd rather have something elsebut still Edit: on a similar note the worst whiskey I've ever had is probably Evan Williams Honey. The recipe uses the basic "cocktail" formula of a base spirit mixed with sweet, sour, and bitter ingredients. In this article, we compiled the top worst cheap whiskey brands you should exclude from your list. Best Splurge: Glenmorangie Signet at Drizly. What looks like a game of dominos played with whisky is a typical workstation for the Master Blender. It actually has a long-lasting finish, but you cant get the full refined aftertaste. Whisky is like making a pizza. WebThe worst Canadian Whiskey is made in Collingwood On and is called "Canadian Mist". How much of a hipster hypebeast does someone have to be to complain about Jack in the first place? All we have to do is be native grain, fermented, aged, and distilled in Canada, aged in a wooden barrel less than 700 liters for a minimum of three years, and then bottled at 40% alcohol; thats it. The Golden Wedding Canadian Whisky has been around since 1856 and even started as an American whiskey label. But I will try to do my best. Any style goes, including Bourbon, Scotch, Rye, Wheat, Canadian, Irish, White Dogs, and everything in between. Why We Dont Like It: In just a single sip, youll start to wonder why this spirit won medals from world spirits competitions and ultimate spirits challenges. Besides, the caramel notes on the nose lack character. The background would have that astringent and overripe citrus mixed with some root beer hints. Smoked, phenolic earth and brine. But the distiller threw a curveball for this special edition, transferring the scotch near the end of its 16 years of aging into barrels that once held Pedro Ximnez, so you start to see this wonderful, new balance created in the arcing nuance of the sherry, says Shanahan. The spice would hit you at first, then the cloying sweetness follows, and finally, it ends with an unpleasant spice in the finish. Nelsons Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey, 11. It was like having a corn whisky that did not go through the aging process. Its true that Canadian whiskies can include other, non-whisky spirits in the blendbut not neutral grain sprits, as Livermore emphatically points out. WebBelow I present you the top 9 Best Value Ryes, which can be picked up at your local government liquor store for under $30 a bottle (except maybe one).*. As described on the bottle, Dark Horse rye is definitely made for whiskey connoisseurs who prefer a bolder, richer tasting Canadian Whiskey. I need to expand my French whiskey experience. Its very simple, bitter, and hot. She has a soft spot for sherry-cask Speyside scotches, but shes not beyond a smoky Islay. Ethanol and antifreeze on the nose and palate, and it's got this cough syrup consistency. If youre looking for a new wine bottle to enjoy, you may 8 Worst Canadian Whiskies To Stay Away From, 7. Its aged primarily in bourbon barrels, but its final three years are spent in oloroso casks, where the scotch takes on its sherrylike layers. Best Single Estate: Glenmorangie The Cadboll Estate at Drizly. So there you have it. Thats how Master Blender Don Livermore begins a blending exercise held at the Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario. It was a true taste of history. Web12 Worst Cheap Whiskey Brands To Watch Out For 1. Fleischmanns Straight Rye: Only available as a plastic handle in Kentucky and Northern Wisconsin, this is not a whiskey to seek out. I nearly said SoCo, but apparently it isn't even whiskey. But thats just a starting pointtheres plenty of diversity to the nations signature spirit, including single malts, which are made with malted barley, and blended scotches, whose mash bills include other grains. When I bought it, it was less than $12 for a 1.75 L bottle and it was over priced. Kentucky Gentleman: This whiskey is such a horror that all right-thinking Kentuckians should make their way to Bardstown and demonstrate outside the Barton Distillery until they agree to rename it to Kentucky Scoundrel or somesuch thing. Those heavily peated, oily, viscous scotches love seafood or meat, says Tardie. Sucks all moisture from your mouth. The world of scotch is also evolving, with restless distillers nowadays playing around with various categories of the whisky, from heavily-peated smoke bombs to sherry-cask whiskies. Ole Smoky Salty Caramel Whiskey 2. You know what? 3. Maple Leaf 08-year-old Canadian Blended Whisky, Belle Meade Reserve Bourbon Bottle Price Guide (2023), 10 Best Rye Whiskeys Under $100 in 2023 (Expert Picks), Why Does Tequila Taste So Bad? It's the foundation for all cocktails that dates back to the earliest mixed drinks bartenders mixed up in the late 1800s. Contact at [emailprotected] or learn more about us here. For single malts my vote would definitely be founders reserve. Its a challenge for your palatethe peaty notes come across strongly in the nose, but once you sip it, youre taken aback by the fruitiness. Best Under $100: Bowmore Darkest 15 Year Old, Best Single Malt: Lagavulin Distillers Edition, Best Cask-Strength: Laphroaig 10 Year Old, Best Single Estate: Glenmorangie The Cadboll Estate, Best Peated: Talisker Distillers Edition, Best for Rusty Nail: Speyburn Bradan Orach. Aged in ex-bourbon barrels, so its not a sherry bomb like some Speyside scotches are, this one is light and easy at a relatively low alcohol level. WebCanadian Mist has actually released three flavorspeach, cinnamon, and maplebut I only tried the peach variety. He even holds the rare Ph.D in brewing and distilling. My wife won a bottle of the CR Salted Caramel in a raffle. I got like a compost heap flavor out of it. Yellow Rose Bourbon: I had this at a tasting event that was held at a local chain a couple years ago. It wasnt great. Maverick whisky maker John Glaser rehabilitated it, searching out old grain barrels and blending them together in making Compass Box Hedonism. Region: Islay | ABV: 45.8% | Tasting Notes: Iodine, Earth, Smoke, Dried fruit, A classic Islay scotch subjected to a Highland treatment, i.e. UPDATE: So, after fourteen hundred and some odd days after I first made my opinion known on Rebel Yell,I finally got around to trying it again. Average Price: around $28 per 750 ml (Totalwine). WebTop 10 Whiskies to Mix with Coke We have analysed over 40.000 whisky tasting notes and 150.000 whisky ratings, only to present you the world's 10 worst whiskies. Loch Dhu 10 Year Old: Widely regarded as the worst single malt ever made, it was released in the mid-1990s and has been infamous ever since as the black whisky. True, it is wretched enough to earn such a name on taste alone, but the color of the whisky is actually coffee black! In fact, Clarkes is so bad enough that it cant be endorsed even as a mixer, since liquor this cheap often brings on hangovers even in moderate consumption. Wine-barrel finishes are also represented; we spot a sherry finish, an oloroso finish, and a madeira finish among others. Best Single Malt: Lagavulin Distillers Edition at Drizly. Yet hed be a hard man to argue with on this point; hes responsible for brands including Lot 40, Pike Creek, JP Wisers, and Gooderham & Worts. This whisky is good enough for its price if you use it on cocktails. The honeyed vanilla char of the wood mingles with isle seagrass and iodine for a whisky made for sipping or stirring into drinks. That bad? 19. I hope, in some magical way, the others will influence the founders reserve before my buddy visits again. Knob Creek maple(but really anything "maple"), If I was a religious man I'd probably be forced to drink it in hell. And now Im about to do the same, minus the Ph.D, work experience, and virtually any other qualifying factor. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. In some cases, when its cheap, its also bad and that applies to whiskeys as well. Im not big on dessert, but if I were to have a dessert, this would be it," he says. For a reasonably-priced option, look no further than this whisky from Aberfeldy, a Central Highlands distillery that started operating in 1898. Holy shit I always had a personal joke that Clan McGregor was the worst alcohol. The Liquor Laboratory is intended for adults over the age of 21 and the legal drinking age. ? the hunt is on!!! But first: the matter of what Canadian whisky is, and what it isnt. Seagrams VO is not rotgut. The Master Blender of Hiram Walker sips my creation, winces slightly, and emits an involuntary oof. Then he explains where I went wrong. Independent and impartial reviews of the best (and worst) spirits on the shelf. Some rights reserved. In fact, its not available even in those two places as a straight whiskey anymore, that part of the label having been changed. The nose is not really caramel-ly or sugary, and the palate is sweet but acidic. Canadian Hunter Whisky is a product of Sazerac, home to popular bourbons like Buffalo Trace and George T. Stagg. Open the whisky up with some water and try it with marinated grilled chicken, barbecued spare ribs, mint-laced salads or fresh berries for dessert. But the whisky should be aged for a minimum of three years in Canada before it could bear that label. While the terminology can become repetitive, the nose of each sample is distinct. It's overpriced for the age and proof, but it's good stuff. 2nd that. One of the only times Ive written a company to complain about a product. This whiskey is distilled from a mash bill that is 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley. They toasted the barley so much that they call it a chocolate malt., Just as in beer making, where a chocolate malt adds mocha flavor to a porter or stout, this Highland scotch is rich in cocoa and espresso notes that only deepen over time. That Knob Creek Smoked Maple isn't much better. WebWorst Canadian whiskey? The flavors fight each other instead of complimenting the notes. What Canadian whisky can Only whiskies with 3 or more votes are included in this hall of shame. Why We Dont Like It: The nose has vegetal notes combined with alcohol and sulfur, creating a strong aroma. The entrance and use of this website and these Conditions are governed by Dutch law. Like Bells, its hard to imagine how this rotgut sells at any price. Want to get in on the ground floor with a new distillery? The stuff is as bitter as a bad cup of coffee too, and a true Halloween horror. Up next is Rye Star Special, which is essentially Lot 40 before its been aged. I was in a scotch club for about eight years. Canadian whiskies are cheap because they do not require many legal requirements. Stick with something on the cheaper side, he says. Its honey-blossom nose leads to vanilla and roasted nuts, a delightful herbaceousness, and a hint of orange. You cant feel the elegance (as the brand claims), and the tones are smooth and pleasing. That set me up for loving whiskey now, but I can not stand Canadian whiskies at all. Theres also geography. WebAgreed that JW Red is worse. Ezra brooks white label. Most disappointing single malt I have ever purchased. When these were released, I made a comment about buying them and these are so bad that I had someone in another country volunteer to send me a sample of each so that I didnt waste my money on them. One of the reader comments on our own review described it as vagrants ballsack dipped in paint thinner, But its not the only one to consider. And unfortunately, the $70 price tag on a bottle wont let me give them another chance. Betsy Andrewshas been writing about wine and spirits for two decades. The girl who traded me said she had whisky so I was pretty happy, but Glen Hood is not very good. And on this afternoon, Im about to get my own lesson in blending from the doctor, alongside a handful of other journalists. Any disputes arising out of the entrance or use of this website and/or the use of information derived from this website shall exclusively be submitted to and finally be resolved by the competent court in Utrecht, the Netherlands. But in some cases, cheap ones are really the worst. Why We Dont Like It: In essence, this is just sugary caramel syrup with a splash of liquor. Glenmorangie The Cadboll Estate at Drizly. You might find one that you don't care much for and there will always be others that you'd rather drink, but the quality of production and maturation of whisky in Scotland is so high that nothing sub-par would ever make it near a bottle. It was moved to Valleyfield, Quebec, in 1948 and finally became a Canadian Whisky. Canadian Mist can stand up to It didn't even mix well. A community driven website built by and for whisky enthusiasts. In order to access its starch (which the yeast will convert into sugar during fermentation), the grain is malted, or soaked, so that it sprouts. I dont review a lot of bourbon that I dont like. Scotch made from malted barley at a single distillery is called single malt scotch. We all cheer to a fine whiskey. Drink to be: Scotch, No McClellands". Ive had people tell me Im crazy, but I found this to be terrible. It has the aroma of a terrible gin and is far from the whiskey we all love. Thankfully, he's since upgraded to Monkey Shoulder. Canadian Club Balvenie 12 Year Doublewood: Best whisky for an Old Fashioned. Finally, there are the barrels. The Irreverent Home of Frugal Bourbon Drinkers Since 2012, Reviews: Other Whiskey (Not Bourbon or Rye). Other grains follow: Barley Star, Barley Star Special, Wheat Star, and so on. Thats the most basic distinction in scotch. Except where otherwise noted, this website is licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported license. Creating duplicate accounts (split personality is not a good reason.). However, Whiskybase B.V. cannot give any warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information on this website. Dont be afraid to pair this one with food. Schenley Golden Wedding Canadian Whisky, 6. These conditions apply to the use of this website of Whiskybase.com. I ask Livermore if there are any barrel-finishing experiments he hasnt yet done but would like to try. Its one of my favorites., Related: The Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, Region: Islay | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Smoke, Grass, Earth, Heat. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The headache lasted all of the next day. Also included are barrel inserts. The barrels that held these whiskies were burned in specific ways to induce certain flavors: theres an oak insert, a sweet insert, a smoky insert, and so on. Average Price: around $63 (66) per 700ml (Whisky Base). I then took a shot of tequila to get rid of the remainder. Whats the worst youve had? Average Price: around $83 per 750ml (Wine-researcher). Why We Dont Like It: Saint Libertys bourbon is one of the worst, as the nose, taste, and finish are so disappointing. The domino-line begins with unaged whiskies, the first of which is Corn Star, described by Livermore as the closest thing we make to moonshine, with a smell not unlike cauliflower. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Answered (2023 Updated), Casamigos Reposado Tequila Bottle Review (2023 Updated), Barrell Dovetail Bourbon Bottle Review (2023 Edition), Madeira vs Marsala Wine: Whats the Difference? All content on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. Thanks! In short, the quality is just low. WebReliable, affordable, and one of the best whiskies for cocktails, Canadian Mist has a lot going for it. Average Price: around $17 per 1L (Drizly). You can enjoy it with ice (or whiskey stones [2]) and little water. They have different making processes and create different flavor profiles for their drinks. Why We Dont Like It: It has unappealing flavors, probably due to its short fermentation process and insufficiently long maturation. The resulting wash is run through a copper-pot still, normally twice. Region: Islay| ABV: 46.6% | Tasting Notes: Nuts, Stone fruit, Salinity, Smoke. Why We Dont Like It: If youre very particular about the aroma, this whiskey will not meet your expectation. Made in Islay, Lagavulin's Distillers Edition scotch whisky has a distinctive, terroir-driven character. For the girls that want to show that they can drink something other than breezers. You might think a lot of things, but unless you are a long time reader, youd probably be wrong. If the Double Malt is the worst thing that Woodford ever put their name on, this is the second worst. Glasers doing a wonderful service for blended scotch., Region: Highlands | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Coffee, Espresso, Raisins, Cinnamon, [Glenmorangie] did something innovative, says Tardie. (2023), Casamigos Anejo Tequila Bottle Review (2023 Edition), 22 Most Popular Tequila Brands (2023 Edition), Angels Envy Bourbon Bottle Review (2023 Edition), https://www.thedailymeal.com/neat-straight-and-rocks-how-order-cocktail/42414, https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/best-whiskey-rocks-whisky-stones-993880/. Then, a warm, rough, peppery, and slightly smoky finish follows. The heavy peat character is tempered by a brisk sweetness from the pure island spring water used to make it and the Kentucky bourbon barrels used to age it. 1. Press J to jump to the feed. 2. Alberta Premium Dark Horse ($26.99) 45% ABV. WebWhat's the worst whiskey you've ever tried? The palate is somewhat thin, given its ABV. As a rule whiskey experts avoid, to quote H.P. https://whiskycast.com/the-worst-whisky-ive-ever-tasted/. What should we add?". The Whiskey: This iconic Canadian whisky is a powerhouse. 11Wells Rye: This is a small craft distiller here in the Twin Cities. Undiluted for extra potency at Laphroaig, an Islay distillery, this decade-old scotch whisky has a proof of around 112 (may vary with each bottle). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 18. Waldviertler Whisky J.H. Its aged for at least 2 years which were not fond of. 5. No, cheap Canadian whisky does not mean bad. And we get it you want to save some bucks. We talk about bourbon, rye, or any American whiskey here (yes, even Jack). Theres nothing much to like about this spirit. Dry mouthfeel. Highland scotches tend to be sweeter than smoky island scotches made from peated malt. Hopefully after some time it will get better but Ill need to be convinced of that when it happens. Major rotgut. WebThe Canadian-whisky style pioneered by the Bronfmans is neither single malt nor straight. Unless of course you're unlucky enough to have a whisky that clashes with bitters. Afterward I dump it back into the Rebel Yell bottle and stick it back in the closet. secondary aging in Amoroso sherry butts, this bottle is, at first, big, peaty, and smoky, says Shanahan, but then, you start to see this wonderful new balance created. I much prefer founders reserve to 12y. The 15 Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to Drink in 2023, The Essential Scotch Whisky Bottles for Your Home Bar, A Guide to the Five Scotch Whisky Regions, Plus the Islands, Speaking Scotch: A Guide to Scotch Whisky Terms, These Peaty Scotches Taste Like Campfire in a Glass, The 12 Best Japanese Whiskies to Drink in 2023, The Best Scotch Under $100, According to Industry Experts, The 9 Best Cheap Scotches to Drink in 2022, The 9 Best Scotch Whiskies for Beginners in 2022, The 11 Best Blended Scotches to Drink in 2022, Macallan 15 Year Triple Cask Scotch Review, GlenDronach Revival 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review, GlenDronach Original 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review, The 12 Best Irish Whiskeys to Drink in 2023. The sprouted grain, or malt, is then dried in wood- or a peat-fired kiln. The third glass encountered is also a DD, but this time its rye, with an oily, more characterful nose. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Burns the lips off ya. A century ago, many Scottish whiskies were made with grains, including corn and wheat, but declined in popularity as big producers started focusing on single malt whiskies. A great deal of his working day involves tasting the whisky at his disposal and deciding what makes it into a blend. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I read a bunch of you talking about Johnny Walker and Jack Daniels and laugh, as I have tasted a whisky so vile it would make you swear to never complain at being served Johnny or Jack again. Dusty Thursday: Canadian Club, 100 proof "Export Strength" . Pure muck. The ethanol continues on the palate, where you can taste grassy or cheap protein shake flavors. They dont tell me the barrel type I have to use. I believe Canadian whisky is the most innovative, creative, and adaptable style of whisky there is. Average Price: around $18 per 750ml (Drizly). It smells like it was cut with brake fluid or industrial alcohol and has a strangely artificial or chemical aroma. Rye is a spicy grain, a fact made apparent at the beginning of each sip. 03, 6. Its made from the distillerys oldest whisky35- to 40-year-old scotch, aged in American white oakwhich gives it a gravitas that Tardie appreciates. It has a strong ethanol smell and some dust and wheat hints. Your review gave me a good laughsaint liberty you say sir??? It was launched on an unsuspecting public by United Distillers, the precursor of Thirty-One Whiskey does not endorse or condone binge drinking or other dangerous drinking habits. Whiskybase B.V.Zwaanshals 5303035 KS RotterdamThe NetherlandsKVK: 60207205VAT: NL853809112B01. My own tasting indicated that something was off; it was hot and astringent, with too many divergent wine flavors and nothing solid to cling to. 1. This might be the worst thing Woodford has ever released under their name. Allumina . Theyre taking a super-peaty whisky and taming it with beautiful wine-cask, says Shanahan. For cocktails, says Tardie, you shouldnt complicate things. Like an anxious grade-schooler hoping to have their art project validated by a teacher, I bring the blend to Livermore. Maple Leaf is only available in a 40ml bottle, which is fortunate enough after tasting this whisky.