Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye Whisky Review

By Randall H. Borkus

Rating: B

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye is a Canadian rye whisky made with 100% Canadian rye and spring water from the Canadian Rocky Mountains by Alberta Distillers Limited in Calgary, Alberta.  There is not much detail on their website, but my online research asserts the whiskey is aged for at least 5 years.  I found a note on my bottle stating Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye is bottled between 63%-67% ABV.  My sample bottle is 63.7% ABV (127.4 proof).

When you drink rye whisky made in Canada, you are likely drinking whisky from Alberta Distillers Limited.  They are essentially the MGP of Canada.  Alberta Distillery makes vodka and blended whisky, but its best known for its rye whisky, which is made from a 100% rye mash bill and Alberta Premium is a great example.

We know this brand in America as many rye drinkers love their WhistlePig.  Some Whistlepig releases have come from MGP and their omnipresent 95% rye whiskey.  But WhistlePig’s flagship 10 Year Old at 100 proof, using 100% Rye has traditionally come from Alberta Distillers Limited.  Climate tends to be an important factor in the maturation process, so spending just a few years in another location like Vermont makes a noticeable different in the flavor profile.

Other really good rye whiskeys from Alberta Distillers include Sonoma County’s 35 Maple Street Masterson’s Rye, Lock, Stock & Barrel 13 and 16 year old whiskeys, and Jefferson’s 10 Year Old Rye is likely sourced from Alberta Distillers 100% rye whiskeys.

But for Whistlepig, Alberta Premium has never been a household name in the U.S., well until Jim Murray named it “World Whisky of the Year.”  So, let me get this straight Jim, you are telling me the Alberta Premium outperforms Michter’s 10-year Rye or Barrell Seagrass Rye Whisky?  You must have missed those samples, or you simply missed the mark again quite frankly.  Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye is good rye whiskey but seriously.

The Whiskey
The whiskey is a beautiful golden rye color.  The nose is heavy alcohol at first and then opens with a hint of caramel vanilla swirl candy.  On the midpalate I found sweet unsalted plantains, hints of vanilla, and a dusting of burnt sugar cinnamon.  The finish is very warm and spicy with a familiar earthy rye sweetness fading quickly to a deep spicy dry oak.  This opens even more with a few drops of water, and I found more earthy rye essence and a pronounced hint of vanilla bean intertwined with an oak spice.  I enjoyed this rye whiskey.

The Price
Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye has a suggested retail price of $69.99 for a 750-ml. bottle in Chicago and there is plenty on the shelf.