Black Velvet Reserve 8 Years Review



Country: Canada
Brand: Black Velvet Reserve
Imported in the USA by -and Bottled for Black Velvet Import Company, Canandaigua, NY.
Type: Blended Canadian Whisky
Age: 8 Years
Alcohol: 40%
Date: 23-09-2012

Colour: Light Golden

Nose: As happens so often with cheaper whiskies, my first impressions are Grains (Rye in this case), remarkably young Oak for an 8 Years and a bit of Alcohol. I left the glass for about half an hour but still I can’t get much else. Maybe a wee bit of Caramel, lightly buttered Toast and Lemon.

Taste: Less harsh than I expected after the Nose with some Caramel, Green Oak, Lemon, Pepper and a hint of Honey. It’s amazing that 8 years of Oak barrels added so little flavour to the spirit.

Finish: Very Short with White Pepper, Green Oak, Toffee and Licorice.

I added a couple of drops of water but that just waters things down. No need to add water. If anything, the Licorice in the Finish is enhanced. Maybe a very faint hint of Fruit on the Nose.

Rating: 70 
Nose: 17.5 – Taste: 18 – Finish: 17 – Overall: 17.5

General Remarks: The Black Velvet Reserve 8 Years is a Blend of Corn Base Spirits, partly matured Rye, Corn flavouring whiskies and some Corn – and Rye high wines. Black Velvet nowadays is owned by Barton Brands Inc. and is distilled, aged and blended in Lethbridge, Alberta at the Black Velvet (Palliser) Distillery.

Drinking Experience Neat: Average

Conclusion: I’m really surprised with the lack of flavors in this 8 Years Old Blend. It’s hard to believe that quality Oak was used to mature this whisky. I can’t really say it’s a bad spirit. I didn’t find any off-notes. In fact I practically didn’t find anything at all! It’s cheap in the USA, probably 12-15 Dollars. So you might use it in Long Drinks I suppose although Bourbons are better suited for that purpose. The Black Velvet Reserve 8 Years is drinkable but it has too few flavors to really enjoy it neat.

Jan van den Ende                                                                 September 2012


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