Wayne Gretzky Craftsmanship Series Rye (50%)

This is Wayne Gretzky Craftsmanship Series Rye, a small-batch Canadian rye distilled at Wayne Gretzky Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. It is made entirely from Ontario-grown Brasetto rye and bottled at 50% ABV. The whisky spent five years in a combination of American virgin oak, once-used bourbon barrels and recharred American oak. It is a copper-amber colour with golden highlights. Expect dark cherry, peach, toasted oak and brown sugar on the nose, with black pepper, vanilla and a little mocha. The palate is full and spicy, with butterscotch, nutmeg and cinnamon before dark chocolate and barrel char. The finish is medium to long and warming, with dark cocoa, toasted oak and rye spice.