Whisky Focus - Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Red Cask Review

Review of Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Red Cask Canadian whisky by Murray Cohen.

The famous retired hockey legend Wayne Gretzky is already a well-known winery owner. He produces wine in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario (Gretzky Estates) as well as the Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada and Sonoma, California. The reason I mention him here is Wayne has now entered the world of whisky with his release of Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Red Cask Canadian Whisky which hit the shelves here in Ontario on October 3, 2016 and will also be available in Alberta and Manitoba.

A new Gretzky winery and distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake with taste room and touring is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2017, a 22,000 square foot facility. There is a water feature which will be highlighted at the new distillery. The springtime water feature will become an ice rink in winter. It is complete with a 'loonie' (Canadian one dollar coin) buried at centre ice, dropped by The Great One himself at the ground-breaking ceremony in September, 2015. I drove by the site the other day and the architectural structure is well on its way and looks very impressive.

Andrew Peller Ltd. is the parent company of Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery. Wayne has partnered with master distiller Joshua Beach. He is a 38 year-old Ontario native who studied distilling at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. Beach said the grain was sourced from the Brantford, Ontario area, Wayne’s home town. By the way, Brantford is sometimes known as the "Telephone City", as former city resident, Scotsman, Alexander Graham Bell, invented the telephone at Alexander’s father's home, the Bell Homestead.

Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Red Cask Canadian Whisky is produced in small batches from grain (rye, malted rye and corn) that has been individually mashed, fermented and distilled. After the aging process, the whisky is finished with red wine casks from Wayne’s own winery.

The whisky, bottled at 40% ABV, is priced at a very tempting Can $34.95 for the whisky aficionado. Canada was a major player and flagship for whisky for so many years before distillery sell-offs and now is re-establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the whisky world. Another whisky offering from this great country is always anticipated with hope and profound interest from whisky enthusiasts. I recommend it.

Murray Cohen's Tasting Notes:

Colour:  Dark Amber.

Nose:  An aura of concentrated dark fruit arrives early, principally Damson plums (used for preserves). Fresh lemon drops waft in for a short stay followed by a woody hue with definite red wine accents and a rustic earthiness. A wave of wine-dipped cigars in an open humidor enters the olfactory picture. There is late caramel, crushed pistachio, just a hint of bulrushes in summer and light potpourri.

Taste: Medium to full-bodied, quite smooth, slightly warming, grapes on the vine. The initial sweetness gives way to spice entwined with the dark fruit.

Finish: Long and somewhat drying with reminiscences of the impact of Grandpa’s soft leather wing back chair on the air absorbed by the taste buds, dark fruit and just a smidgen of grape jelly. The spice is more subdued now and the earthiness is enhanced.

Comment: The No.99 whisky has a lovely nose with a metamorphosing array of aromas over time. The wine finish really impresses and settles the rye on the nose. The palate has substance to it with the rye and oak influences translating into a welcome spiciness which gives the whisky some intensity. The finish carries on the theme and has depth. This is a welcomed addition to the Canadian whisky family.

Score 86.5/100
 

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