Since I've had quite a few whisky's now, I've got an updated rating system, here's the updated ratings for the ones I've already tried:
Crown Royal: 4/4
Red Label: 3/4
Serpents Bite: rating doesn't matter cuz it's a different type of drink
Canadian Club: 2/4
Anyway, here's the new stuff.
Canadian Club - 9 year reserve.
Regular Canadian Club is second bottom shelf, but smooth complex and drinkable, if not mild. The 9 year reserve is a mid-shelf price, still smooth and complex, but more bold. It's not incredibly bold or spicy, just complex and well rounded. This is a good drink, I think it's good for starting out a drinking session. Like all Candian whisky I've tried, it's a good value.
It's on the mild side, so there's not much reason to drink it on the rocks.
3/4
The Famous Grouse.
This whisky is pretty different from the other ones I'm reviewing today because it's the only one that isn't spicy. It's very smoky and malt forward. It's pretty flavorful and the taste isn't bad, but this isn't something I would start a drinking session with. Price is mid-shelf, so the value is fine.
I did try this one on the rocks and I found it more easily enjoyable that way. It mellows out and sweetens up some. Since it's not sweet at all by default, that can be a positive thing if that sounds good to you. Maybe not if you're the type that prefers 0 sweetness in your drinks ever.
3/4
Bulleit Bourbon - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Specified the full name only because they also have an 85% Rye I'm interested in trying. Bulleit Bourbon is amazing. It's a mid shelf price, a bit stronger than usual at 45% ABV, the flavor is strong, complex, and smooth. The flavor is a combination of spicy, savory, and slight sweetness (thanks to corn).
It will sweeten up a bit if you enjoy it on the rocks, but I did find that the flavor was best straight out of the bottle, rather than aerated. This whisky is incredibly tasty for something that only costs ~$26 for a 750ml bottle.
4/4
Canadian Club - 100% Rye
Even though I do like this drink I can't honestly say it's that great. This straight rye whisky is strong and spicy which is nice, but the finish is very rough.
It's cheap as hell though, this bottle costs less than $20 so I guess that would put it in the same price range as regular Canadian Club. Not a bad choice if you don't want to spend much, but you want something more bold.
2/4
Templeton Rye - 4 years
After realizing I like the flavor of rye whisky with CC's 100rye, I had to try one that wasn't dirt cheap, so I got this. This stuff is awesome. It's got all the spiciness and is almost as bold, but it's slightly more complex and the finish is very smooth.
Templeton Rye really is "THE GOOD STUFF". It comes at a price though, this cost about $38, which makes it a second from the top shelf. Probably a top shelf as far as rye whisky's go since they tend to be cheap. There's some history about it being Al Capone's favorite drink or something, which is probably how they get away charging so much for it.
Anyway, in spite of the price, it's very good. There's also a 6 year version but I imagine it's harder to find.
4/4
I got this set of steel whisky stones with a chrome coating, along with tongs and a metal stirring stick from amazon for not too much. They work great. I usually prefer my alcohol at room temperature, but this is a nice change of pace even for me.
