This is the 2nd Canadian Whisky I review in celebration of Canada Day that was held this week.

The first one (Lot No. 40) is here

This time we go for Alberta Premium Dark Horse. This is quite a new expression (2012) and is following a very successful Alberta Premium expression. This is a mingling of 12-year-old rye whisky and 6-year-old small pot rye. Dark Horse also has an 8% dollop of well-aged corn whisky added to flesh out the body. The whisky is aged in heavily charred American white oak barrels, and is bottled at 45% ABV.

So how this Rye Whisky compares to Lot No. 40?

Alberta Premium Dark Horse (45%)

Nose: Strong pine wood notes (Rye), gentler and rounded then Lot No. 40, background bourbony vanilla notes, sweet caramel, some rubbery note too. Lovely nose!

Palate: Sweet and creamy, pine wood/rye, spicey – ginger, peppery, nutmug, the whole 9 yards

Finish: medium-long, menthol, pinewood, some lingering sweet notes.

Conclusion: It’s not harsh like the Lot No. 40 and is a nicely balanced Rye Whisky. Sweet but not overly so. Very good dram and when a full-sized bottle costs merely $35 it’s a huge winner in the bang for the buck isle. Really saddening it’s not globally widepsread, so if you see it for sale outside Canada, grab one and thank me later.