New Dillon's rye just launched

I just realized that after all that I didn't post a link to where you can buy it.

store.dillons.ca/rye-whisky-500ml/dp/459

And here's their main site where they have a little write-up about it (some of which I quoted above):

dillons.ca/rye-whisky-release

@Nelom When I got the email that this batch was out, was excited and then bummed that is was 43% and not cask strength.

@Astroke Yeah, I was a bit bummed too. But then I figured I enjoy plenty of whiskies around that ABV, so I felt it was still a worthwhile gamble. Although I read this morning that this is going to be one of their standard offerings from here on out, and had I known that I may have waited for reviews before pulling the trigger.

But hell, the bottle is beautiful enough that I'll likely keep it for decoration once it's emptied, so even if it's a subpar whisky it's not a complete waste.

@Nelom I notice that they also bottle an absinth spirit at upwards of 60%, if you're looking for a high ABV kick...

At 40$ what's not to like!?

@Alexsweden That is not a good deal for a 43% ABV Canadian Rye in a a 500 ML bottle. That is the same price as the Lot 40 (750 ml bottle) despite the down slide in quality I would think much better than this.

Like @Nelom says, better to wait for a review or 2.

@Alexsweden, Canadians are used to paying through the roof for many imported whiskies, but not for Canadian products. When it was released six years ago Alberta Premium 30 year old sold for Can$ 50.

...but only in Canada. 80% of the top tier Canadian produced whiskies are sold only in Canada. That is still true, though in the last several years some Wiser's Legacy and Lot 40 have been making it into the US.

Happily, though, many of the best barrels of Canadian distillate have recently been making their way to various US agers, blenders, and bottlers. WhistlePig, Masterson's, and Jefferson's Rye are all from Alberta Distillers Limited distillate.

@Victor, yes indeed, Alberta rye is the benchmark for Canadian whisky in value, and quality. Many of our Connosr friends do not realize that a couple of cases of AP 30 YO could have been purchased for the same price as a couple of bottles of 30 YO single malt....a no-brainer in my opinion...

but I would have been absolutely humiliated had I bought only a couple of cases;)

I just tried it. Really nice stuff. I wouldn't mind 46% but I don't mind the non-CS, there is a good amount of complexity in it. Notably, a terrific palate with a great movement from toffee and green apple to toasted grain. The rye is quite grassy, and slightly vegetal, and despite the new oak it really isn't very oaky - it certainly wasn't a heavy char. I like the 500 ml bottles since I wouldn't spend $60 on 750 ml, but 40$ on 500 ml is doable.

Canadian micro is really coming into its own. This is still not quite as impressive Stalk & Barrel rye for me, but the second really great rye that I have tasted from Canadian micro distilleries. Last Mountain in Saskachewan is making terrific wheat whiskey (I like it more than Bernheim), Two Brewers (most notably) and Shelter Point are releasing terrific single malts which are 7 or 8 years old now. oh, and of course Stalk & Barrel rye. There is lots more on the way, but those whiskies are near the top tier of Canadian whisky for me - quite impressive. I hope prices will drop as the distilleries get established so that they can come in at a good value, right now it is hard to lay down the proper money for them (though Dillon's is relatively not bad).