Piger Henricus Gin

LCBO#: 398842
Price: $44.95 (750ml bottle)
SAQ#: 13222711
Price: $30.75 (500ml bottle)
Made in: Quebec, Canada
By: Les distillateurs subversifs
ABV: 43%

This microdistilled gin from Quebec, Canada has a blend of juniper, coriander, angelica, lemon peel, cardamon and… parsnips. The aromas are mild with a mix of gin and vodka. More going on in the taste that reveals the gin side, but nicely balanced. Stays mild for a while and the heat takes longer to kick in. The parsnips is lightly felt in the lingering. An interesting addition and good to sip on its own. Or mix.

Rating: 3.7/5

Twist of Fate Winemaker’s White

LCBO#: 466318
Price: $9.95
Made in: Canada
By: Constellation Brands Inc.

This Canadian blend is composed of Pinot Grigio, Muscat and Chardonnay. The nose seems quite dry at first pour. Then, the fruity grapes grows and hints of charred barrels show up. The mouthfeel is a little crisp, but becomes syrupy. Grapes and caramel taste with some decent bitterness in the finish to blend things. Decent for the inexpensive price.

Rating: 3.5/5

Pelee Island Ecco VQA

LCBO#: 225946
Price: $14.95
Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: Pelee Island Winery

This Canadian bubbly seems like a blend of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois. Big orange nose at first, but when this calms down, the yeast mixes with the grapes to give this a fancy cheese hint. The taste has this little unbalacement with the yeast and fruity notes. The mouthfeel has a sharpness to it, almost bitter in the middle. The dryness is medium with all of this. Becomes a little too sweet with time. Bottle labels are fun and in a party mode at least.

Rating: 2.8/5

Pelee Island Monarch Vidal VQA

LCBO#: 393405
Price: $11.45
Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: Pelee Island Vineyard Inc.
Year: 2015

This Ontario Vidal has pear, apple notes with sweetness from the grapes. The taste is quite sweet with the fruits and alcohol is noticeable. A slight dryness comes and help to kill the syrupy aspect of this white wine. Yeast lingers on the tongue. Still, a little too sweet overall to enjoy completely. Exactly like their Monarch Red we did last year, way too rich to be a good one.

Rating: 2.3/5

Inniskillin Late Autumn Riesling

LCBO#: 219543
Price: $14.25
Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: Inniskillin Estate Wines
Year: 2015

Purchased a 2013 bottle a few years back and quite liked it. This 2015 one is fruity smelling with notes of apples, honey and some tropical light fruits. The taste is sweet, but not syrupy. These grapes flavours are refreshing and wet at first, going into some nice medium dry finish with very light alcohol. The raisins then linger on the tongue. This is one I don’t mind having every year heading for winter. A good comfort wine. P.S. The 2013 bottle I kept did not cellar well.

Rating: 4.1/5

Forward Pinot Grigio Riesling

LCBO#: 427344
Price: $11.45
Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: Pelee Island Vineyard Inc.
Year: 2015

This Canadian blend of Pinot Grigio and Riesling gives out pear notes in the nose at first. Citrus does eventually appear with some sour hints and decent fruity sweetness. The mouthfeel has a nice dryness with the citrus flavours. A little too much yeast lingers in the end, but overall – this is quite drinkable for the price.

Rating: 3.6/5

Sandbanks Cabernet Franc VQA

LCBO#: 177485
Price: $14.95
Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: Alto Sandbanks Estate Winery
Year: 2015

This Canadian Cabernet Franc gives out peppery notes in the aromas with plums and mild hints of strawberries. The taste is pretty sweet overall, but not syrupy. Some decent dryness helps this with the light tannins. Berries lingers. Pepper and leather in the background. Not a bad fruity red wine. Just a little too sweet for our liking. A tad pricey overall.

Rating: 3.1/5

Harry’s Hurricane Spiced Rum

LCBO#: 318642
Price: $19.95
Made in: Canada
By: Kittling Ridge Ltd.

Reviewed this on Tuesday, as it was National Rum Day. Purchased this rum bottle a few years back, when available at the LCBO and was quite inexpensive. Also being from my country, did not expect much of it, as this spirit is not our forte. Little did I know I was wrong and this is quite a great rum for the price. Butterscotch aromas with the alcohol warming, spices and vanilla notes. The mouthfeel is surprisingly not that much of a burning. Actually, quite smooth overall. Maybe a little watered-down, but still, nice flavours of caramel, vanilla and spices. Easy to sip as is, but a great bargain if you wish to mix as well.

Loon Vodka

LCBO#: 374728
Price: $45.25
Made in: Hearst, ON, Canada
By: Rheault Distillery
40% ABV.

This vodka from Northern Ontario is distilled four times in a single batch steel copper pot. It is a grainy vodka that gives out leafy aromas with lots of herbal notes. The flavours are also reminiscent of grass and plants with a little of the grain shining in the finish. Some mild sweetness is felt as well to balance things. This vodka is pretty smooth overall to sip, but with some character to stand out. Quite a good vodka that contains 0% methanol. Congrats on the Double Gold medal for the China Wine & Spirits Awards. Here’s to long life !!

Canadian Club Chairman’s Select 100% Rye

LCBO#: 390583
Price: $27.95
Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: The Canadian Club Whisky Company

This 100% Rye whisky is a rich amber colour with a golden hue. Nice toasted caramel aromas with some alcohol and banana notes, reminding me of bourbon. Mild warming mouthfeel going down. Good rye bread taste with the hints of banana, spices and toffee. Thankfully not as sweet and rich as bourbon, but better balanced with some fruity notes. The commercial says it all, how they are trying to get the younger generation into whisky. Quite good and a good job from the marketing department. Being a fan of Canadian Club Reserve, this is a nice addition with all rye.

Rating: 4.2/5