Review #301 - Ellington Reserve 8 Year Rye
This is a budget option in the realm of Canadian whisky - rye whisky, specifically, as it specifies on the label that this is made from 100% rye grain. It is then double distilled using pot stills, and a maturation period of 8 years takes place in 'charred oak casks.'
Like a lot of whiskies in this price category, strength is an entry-level 40% ABV (80 proof); it's generally available for a price between $15 and $20.
Ellington Reserve 8 Year Rye
Canada - Rye
Current Locally Available Price: USD 17 (2024)
Age Statement: 8 Years
Strength: 40% ABV
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 2 times over 1 month; bottles at 100% and 50% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: A lot of acetone and ethanol, very chemically scented; there are little herbal rye notes in the background, but soon nail polish remover takes over. From time to time, just a hint of dry straw and mild oak.
Palate: Very thin, watery, and full of chemical flavors again. Acetone or nail polish remover, and then some dry spice: cinnamon. Fake caramel flavoring, maybe a honey note if we're generous, and then more herbal chemical notes.
Finish: Short, weak, with only light oak notes and a hint of butterscotch. Lots of acetone, but not a lot of flavor.
Final Note: Have to be honest - this is pretty terrible. There aren't many redeeming qualities; it's very chemical and unpleasant, and with only hints of sweetness, which themselves taste fake or synthetic. Not sure where the 8 years went, either - this tasted about a year old, so we wonder if it was aged in old, overly-used ex-bourbon barrels.
We're not going to recommend buying it, even in a budget pinch - there are other whiskies at a comparable price that have much more to offer.
Our Average Rating: 1.0 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 1.56
About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.
Check out our other Canadian whisky reviews:
Review #232 - Found North Batch 008
