Masterson's 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey
Canadian Without The Additives
0 392
Review by @Victor
- Nose23
- Taste23
- Finish23
- Balance23
- Overall92
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Distribution of ratings for this:
- Brand: Masterson's
- Type: American
- ABV: 45%
Masterson's Straight Rye Whiskey, 10 years old, is distilled at Alberta Distillers, Ltd, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is bottled in the US as US Straight Rye Whiskey. Thanks to @paddockjudge for the reviewed sample, which is from Batch # 3, bottle # 16532. The reviewed bottle was first opened November 30, 2012. I do not have information on the mashbill, ie the grain percentages recipe, for this particular whiskey. US Straight Ryes are by US law from 51% minimum rye mash, and are aged exclusively in charred new oak barrels, unlike Canadian whiskies, which are typically aged in re-used barrels. Alberta Distilling Limited whiskies are generally from 100% rye mash. Jim Murray in his 2013 Whisky Bible says that he believes that Masterson's is composed of unmalted rye, in the style of almost all other US Straight Ryes
Nose: from a brandy snifter, moderate intensity of dark fruits of black cherries and plums, with some grapes too, even thought there is no wine in this one. Noticeable spice from rye, also. This reminds me of a Cognac nose in its pointedness and focus. The wood flavours remain mostly in the background. This is the most well-defined nose I've encountered from an Alberta Distillers whisky. Excellent balance of sweet and dry
Taste: immediate bright sparkling entry, like being splashed with water in a swimming pool, in a pleasant way. This starts dry, then becomes sweet as the delivery progresses. Very rye grain fruity, but also very rye grain spicy. As in the nose, the wood flavours are integrated, but more in the background
Finish: this just gets sweeter, fruitier, and spicier into the long finish
Balance: Jim Murray declared Masterson's to be in his top 6 whiskies worldwide for his 2013 Whisky Bible. It is easy to see why he likes it. Masterson's is well-balanced and elegant-a first-rate rye whiskey.
On the subject of this excellent Canadian-produced rye whisky being bottled in the style of a US Straight Rye Whiskey rather than a Canadian Rye/Canadian Blended Whisky, all I can say is that I agree with Jim Murray in his 2013 Whisky Bible, "Masterson's 10 yo Canadian Rye reminded us all of just what masterful whisky is made at Alberta, and how it shines WHEN THINGS AREN'T ADDED TO IT." (emphasis mine)
Keep it coming, Canada,...just leave out the wine, the caramel, and the other additives, please
Move over Legacy, there's a new sheriff in town, Masterson. The pot still at Alberta Distillers Ltd has produced yet another world-class whisky. I await the day that ADL bottles its own version of this incredible rye whisky. @victor - job well done, as usual.