Not Canada's Best
Windsor Canadian is a blended whisky owned by Prestige Beverage Group, having recently purchased the brand from Beam Suntory in December 2020. The 1.75 liter bottle I have was purchased several years ago under the former owners. While I can't find much information about the mashbill, rye is likely to feature prominently due to its production by Alberta Distillers Limited, who specialize in supplying rye whiskies to renowned brands such as WhistlePig, Lock Stock & Barrel, Jefferson's, and more.
The nose is sickly sweet and high on ethanol, though some caramel and a hint of orange come through underneath. The palate is surprisingly smooth, with the sweetness carrying through flavors of toffee and vanilla over only the barest traces of the barrel itself. The finish is short, but I wish it was shorter, as the burn comes in late and mixes poorly with the sickly flavors.
Windsor Canadian is mostly a one-note whisky, with the only complexity coming from the mild undertones of the barrel peeking through the palate. There's not much unique to it either, as you can find any number of similarly ethanol-forward whiskies at your local liquor store. I might have thought this was a great cheap option for mixed drinks in college, but there's a reason the latest bottle at our house is still nearly full.
