About This Dram

Well, they did it. The Ancient Grains won the best whisky spirit in Canada again at this year’s Canadian Whisky Awards. That’s two years running now that they’ve won that award. I believe Davin de Kergommeaux actually created that award specifically for them – as it wasn’t eligible to win any of the existing awards.

This year however it wasn’t alone on the podium. The first-ever release of a Single Cask Ancient Grains also won a gold award, and it just so happened to be a Strath Exclusive! You can find out all about this whisky, including an explanation of what an “Ancient Grains” whisky is right here.

This is the sequel to that gold-medal-winning phenomenon. Same mash bill, same maturation style, same pretty much everything – except the finished product. Whist undeniably similar, these two releases are perfect examples of how two casks can turn out so differently.

Tasting Notes

This is somewhat of a sweet spice bomb on the nose. A sugary blend of cinnamon, chilli, cardamom and star anise mixed with orange rinds, balsamic vinegar and coconut.

The palate was quite sweet, with an almost maple syrup-like flavour. If one were caught unaware, you could be forgiven for thinking this to be a rum of some sort. Those same spices that were on the nose make an appearance here too, this time mixed with black tea and apple butter. Similar to Cask #1, but certainly different.