Rich & Rare Canadian Whisky from Sazerac (formerly Hiram Walker) - New in summer 2011

Rich & Rare Reserve (40% alc./vol. (80 proof))

August 29, 2011

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Full-flavoured and peppery with creamy maple syrup, clean oak, hints of rose petals, dark fruit, and tangy oranges. Fruity and Spicy. ★★★★

Although originally produced by the firm of Gooderham and Worts, Rich & Rare Canadian whisky became an established Hiram Walker brand, distilled in Walkerville, Ontario. During Prohibition the Walker plant was purchased by one Harry Hatch. With a partner, Hatch already owned Gooderham and Worts and the two companies were soon merged. Then in 1987, the business, by then called Hiram Walker & Sons, passed into the hands of Allied Lyons, a British firm. But that was not the end of its corporate identity changes. A few years later, in 2005, the French conglomerate, Pernod Ricard took over the company and it was not long before they divested some of the Hiram Walker brands, including the aptly-named Rich & Rare.

The Sazerac Company of New Orleans, now the owner of the brand, bottles Rich & Rare at its facility in Frankfort, Kentucky. The whisky itself continues to be distilled, matured, and blended in Canada. Recently, Sazerac launched a richer and rarer version in the U.S. calling it Rich & Rare Reserve. Again this is a whisky that has been distilled, aged, and blended in Canada then shipped to Frankfort for bottling.

Where R&R is sweet and creamy, R&R Reserve shows a lot more influence of spicy rye grain and oak barrels. Its sculptured bottle and gold crown cap are reminiscent of Crown Royal, Canada’s best selling whisky, but beyond the packaging there is little resemblance to Crown Royal. R&R Reserve is a fine whisky in its own right and definitely takes the already buttery mouth-filling qualities of R&R up a notch.

Nose: Maple syrup, creamy caramel and rich dark fruits with sweet rye spices, fresh water plants, a mild oakiness and lemony rose petals.

Palate: Sweet, rich and creamy with a syrupy body. Quite peppery with hot tingling rye spices, including ginger and cinnamon sticks. Develops lots of oaky tones with some gentle tannins in the middle. Not as fruity as the nose, but elements of dark fruit remain as do oranges which complement a growing citric pithiness. Suggestions of lemony yellow roses linger throughout, although way in the background, along with a somewhat earthy maple syrup. It almost feels as if there are three distinct layers – sweet fragrant butterscotch, clean oak, and robust white pepper. Measured against the standard of Rich & Rare this is bigger, fruitier, hotter, oakier, more complex and definitely not as sweet.

Finish: Longish and hot, with just hints of flowers.

Empty Glass: Hints of dry wood – and little else.

$13.00 at liquor stores in the U.S.

Highly recommended ★★★★


Comments

13 Responses to “Rich & Rare Reserve (40% alc./vol. (80 proof))”

  1. John:

    Is this eventually coming to Ontario?

    • Davin:

      Not sure John. I picked it up in the U.S. – it’s just been released down there.

  2. Levi:

    I’m drinking it right now(first taste test).. Been drinking R&R for 5 years… This distinct full bodied blend is an exceptional and quite surprising upgrade from the standard R&R- which is wonderful in it’s own right. Reserve R&R rivals other very expensive labels and I will be purchasing it from now on.. The spicy, tingly, long-lasting flavor with lasting depth definitely let’s you enjoy great whiskey that is affordable at the same time. Well Done!!!

  3. Please assist in identifying the holding years from barrel to delivery of blends.

    I find the Reserve R & R to definitely rival the much more expensive CR!

    Very smooth and no carryover taste from the night before!

    • Davin:

      As far as I know, R&R Reserve is made from whiskies that have aged for different periods of time. That’s why you can taste some bright youthful notes and some more mature complex ones in the same whisky.

  4. Excellent blended whisky. Prefer it over the regular R&R. It is better priced than 40 Creek and Crown and yet taste just as good. Just bought a case tonight.

  5. M.W. Derek:

    This Canadian whiskey is pleasantly blended. I just bought it for the first time and upon gazing at the beautiful bottling I opened the golden cap to be smacked in the face with a very pleasant caramel syrupy smell with hints of flowers and rye. I tasted a hint of spice and wood flavors while drinking it a smooth caramel sweet and thick syrupy flavor was left over and very enjoyable. I definitively prefer this over the regular Rich and Rare bottle. I also think this is a top contender for crown royal and other expensive whiskeys.

  6. Tobin:

    I cannot find reserve where i live in Nebraska. I love r&r and would like to try the reserve, but cannot find it. Does anyone know where to find it?

    • Davin:

      If you can’t find it locally it might be available on line.

  7. BrianL:

    Best value out there. I have become a big fan of Canadian Whisky, and this one will become a staple.

  8. Daniel:

    R&R Reserve is delightful. Just recently tried it & I’ve stocked my shed with it. Living in the south, I was baptized in bourbon, but there is no way to ingnore the smooth Canadian whiskys. R&R Reserve doesn’t give the ferocious headached that 40 Creek gives me & my friends, so this is one of our favorites. In order: Crown, Classic 12 & R&R Reserve. Well done to the makers of this fine whisky & thank god for Canada.

  9. [...] connoisseurs consider the whisky well worth the price and even a bargain as seen here, here, and here. Anecdotal survey tastings by Crown Royal drinkers generally result in R&R Reserve being [...]

  10. KC:

    Having enjoyed many a canadian whiskey, I must say that this is a fine whiskey at a bargain price. This has quickly become my favorite, surpassing Crown and is half the cost!


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