Review by: The Muskox
I spend 99% of my whisky time with scotch. That 1% of other time is spent trying to find non-malt whiskies that tickle me in the same way that the best malts can. This one seems like a prime candidate. Even I remember the hype when this came out and when t8ke gave it a 10/10. Worth trying, I think, even if I’ve never had the regular Seagrass!
Distillery: Valleyfield.
Region/Style: Canada / Quebec / Rye.
ABV: 65.41% (130.82 proof).
Mash Bill: 53% rye, 39% corn and 8% malted barley.
Age: 16 years.
Cask type: Finished in Madeira, Martinique rum, and apricot brandy casks.
Nose: Sweet and rich. Piles of sweet fruit, practically screaming out of the class – apricot (of course), jackfruit, mango, banana, strawberry milkshake. Caramel, almonds, toasted sesame seeds, custard. The rye is in the back but is definitely still there. There are fresh herb notes of dill and tarragon, along with clove and black pepper.
I added some water, is that heretical? The fruit is cut a little bit. Now there’s a pervasive freshness. Cut flower stems and stronger fresh herbs. Celery salt.
Palate: Medium texture. Arrives with all the fruit from the nose, as well as sweet fruit pastries. Loads of milk chocolate here, along with spices both sweet and savoury. The rye makes more of a presence here. Spicy and vegetal.
The water adds more rye intensity and a minerally character. Wet grass, pear, pineapple, and strong black pepper.
Finish: Piles of sweet fruit. Banana, mango, jackfruit. Milk chocolate and almonds. Brown sugar. Black pepper.
Conclusion: I can see why this whisky has the following that it does. It’s superlatively rich and sweet, and gets quite complex especially with the water added. The combination of that intense sweetness and the freshness of the rye works phenomenally well. I’d really like to give all the flowers to the Canadians who distilled this, but it’s clear that the finishing casks are at least half the equation here. The finish does have this lingering fruity flavour that almost seems a little artificial; that part isn’t my favourite.
Does it hold up to my favourite malt whiskies from Scotland and elsewhere? Not quite, but it’s close. It’s probably the best rye I’ve ever had anyways.
Okay, I can’t help myself. If you enjoy this, you need to try old scotch. There, I said it! I regret nothing!!
Final Score: 88.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 