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Episode 10: Canadian Club 100% Rye vs JP Wiser Double Still

Canadian Club Chairman Select 100% Rye has been bringing up some solid scores and positive reviews lately. Earlier this year the Canadian 2017 Whisky Awards gave out a gold medal and the title “Sippin’ Whisky of the Year” to JP Wiser’s Double Still Rye. When I sat down to think of some good Canadian rye to put Head to Head, these two came quickly to mind and I’m very glad I did. I enjoy both of these expressions, but find them fairly unique from each other while still providing interesting rye notes.

When I approach Canadian Club 100% Rye I find the nose inviting, but subtle. The grain notes are soft, the wood is hardly there, but there are a few sweet notes. Although it is not very floral, there is a little spice and it is interesting enough to start to think of how it might taste. On the palate I find this smooth with a little sweetness of vanilla. The baking spices are there, but also not overwhelming. With time they can become more interesting but if you only have one dram, you might miss a few. On the finish I enjoyed the wood notes coming through but I did not have the strong drying mouth feel I often pick up when drinking rye. The finish was not long, and at this sitting I noticed some alcohol notes or astringency on the palate a bit and continuing in the finish, though it did not become bitter. Over all this is a good rye and an amazing value. Most sites place this age somewhere between 5 and 6 years. I felt it was a bit younger when drinking it, but likely it is older than my impression. I can also confirm now that it is aged at least partly in Virgin Oak, which accounts for some of the nice caramel on the palate and wood in the finish. At this price point every Canadian must have a bottle on hand.

Turning to the JP Wiser’s Double Still or Triple Cask I notice a significant difference in the nose. It is sweeter or fuller and the spicy notes come through a little stronger. On the palate this is a creamy and rich whisky that does pick up heat, but not from an alcohol burn. Rather I find the pepper or cinnamon notes comes out when sipping and these carry through to the finish. Lately I have been noticing the buttery or oily feel of this whisky and more sugar or brown sugar notes. This has led me to start associating butterscotch or Werther’s candies with Double Still. Not a bad association, but I tend to enjoy ryes that are a little less rich. The finish on Double Still is medium length and does dry out the mouth a bit and give the rye “hug” you might be looking for. I do like this rye and for a while it was my go to mixer and simple sipping rye. Now, my palate must have shifted a bit and I reach more often to fruitier or more floral ryes.

For the price these whiskies are in Canada I think you can’t go wrong with either. Canadian Club 100% is a little smoother and cleaner, then Double Still, but Double Still has a few more layers going on and might be just what you are looking for.

Canadian Club Chairman Select 100 % Rye Rating: ✮✮✮✬✰
JP Wiser’s Double Still or Triple Cask Rye Rating:✮✮✮✮✰
Video Review Link: https://youtu.be/OcS95kjIsoY

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