MrWizard's Ramblings

Alrighty! For the sake of science, I’ll subject myself to the evaluation of the 12 days of Whiskey Set released by Diageo circa 2016. It’s set of 12×50ml mini bottles from Diageo’s brands. I will try to power through the samples within a handful of days and do a brief rundown on each. I was hoping these were going to be glass bottles to be reusable for samples but all except for two are plastic which makes them not very suitable to be given away.

Disclaimer: There are 3 flavored whiskey ‘products’. They get automatic F-, but I’m replacing that with N/A as I rate whiskey, not flavored syrup, but because they’re higher proof and strongly-flavored they may be of some limited use as a flavoring in a mixed drink or baking. Yes, I did try bit from each of them. Yes, they are terrible… I’m suffering for science.

1. Seagram’s 7
Interestingly enough, this is American Blended Whiskey regardless of Seagram’s name’s Canadian origins. Actually not terrible taste for a 40% abv and being 75% grain neutral spirit (vodka). Is it ‘good’? Totally not. Is it awful… not entirely. I’ve actually finished this sample. Sweet, uncomplicated and a little nutty. Tastes sorta like beginner ‘whiskey’ supposed to taste if I were to describe it to someone. The amount of neutral spirit suggests flavorings and coloring and that’s a big no-no for me. I was expecting it to taste worse, but I’m finding myself not hating this. Am I going to want to drink it? Oh hell no!
Score: F+

2. Crown Royal Reserve
An interesting one here. First thing that came to mind was ’smooth’. Arguably should be the fanciest of the bunch… but it’s really a 40% proof, (very) high rye blended Canadian whiskey… bottled in Connecticut. Tastes like a mediocre sweet rye. Its… meh. Lets just summarize it as a ‘meh’. No wonder everyone makes fun of Canadian whiskey blends. Is it drinkable? Yes. Try at a bar once and find something else, is my recommendation. Just like regular Bulleit bourbon, this isn’t worth your taste buds or time more than once in your life, preferably before trying the good stuff.
Score: C-

3. Crown Royal Blended
Weak paint thinner with slight maple sirup notes and highly unpleasant wood/metal aftertaste. Like licking old wooden spoon and then a battery. Avoid,
Score: F

4. Seagram’s VO
This one looks like actual Canadian Blended Whiskey. It is still uncomplicated like Seagram’s 7 but just little sweeter and nose and palate has distinct notes of maple syrup. The aftertaste has a bit of spice (ginger?) going on but overall this is clearly not interesting of a drink. At all. Five minutes later I’ve already forgotten what it tasted like.
Score: F+

5. Johnnie Walker Black Label
Ah Black Label. Technically drinkable, but the fact that this contains a lot of grain whiskey instead of malt betrays itself by lack of any depth of flavor. Basically a better version of Red. Just skip it altogether and start at Green Label which is actually a mix of 100% malt and no grain whiskeys in it so it would have actual flavor.
Score: D+

6. Piehole (Canadian whiskey with Pecan Pie Liquor)
‘Whiskey’ and sugar syrup that’s flavored with pecan flavor. Actually does taste like a pecan pie. Why anyone would actually drink this… escapes me.
Score: N/A (F-)

7. Johnnie Walker Red Label
Technically a scotch. But tastes like someone’s idea of a scotch. There’s some sweetness and smoke, but no body. Not worth even trying. Generally considered acceptable for mixing by some, but starting with quality ingredients usually makes for better drink and this isn’t a quality ingredient. Somewhat drinkable enough for me to force though the sample.
Score: F+

8. Crown Royal Regal Apple
Canadian Apple-flavored whiskey. As usual with flavored whiskeys sugary-sweet and very apple-y as well as thick, likely from sugar. Drinks like a strong liquor rather than actual whiskey… The alcohol gives this a bitter aftertaste though.
Score: N/A (F-)

9. Jeremiah Weed (Cinnamon whiskey)
Cinnamon liquor and whiskey together. What a terrible idea. Avoid this abomination.
Score: N/A (F-)

10. Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey
Not utterly terrible. It’s still very uninteresting, but it’s not a bad whiskey all in all. Tastes like a cross between generic versions of Four Roses and MGP perhaps. with not the most pleasant of aftertastes. Not revolting and technically a straight kentucky bourbon. With so many better choices out there, this isn’t worth your time.
Score: D+

11. George Dickel No.8
A mix of bitter-sweet peanuts are pretty all there is to say about this sample. Don’t do it. The bitterness is overwhelming and unpleasant.
Score: F

12. Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
Doesn’t disappoint for the most part. A solid canadian rye. Excellent for mixing and even occasional sipping. Rye isn’t my thing but for the price there are plenty of bottles that are way worse. It should be noted that this won whiskey of the year from Jim Murray in 2015 but ostensibly batches do vary by year or even month. So your mileage may vary. Is it decent? Yes. Is it great. No.
Score: C

Overall Thoughts:
This is an abomination of a whiskey event calendar and having a handful of options in there that could be finished doesn’t justify the idea of having to drink the others. Whoever came up with this lineup should be ashamed of themselves and the entire thing is basically a disservice to whiskey.
Overall Box Score: F

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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown