Notes: This is another whiskey passion project brought to market by David Schmier of Dynamic Beverages, who brought us the Redemption Rye and Bourbon series, the  Dead Wood Series of Bourbon and Rye, River Boat series, and the Funk a Jamaican high ester pot still rum. The Balme Canada ! ( South Park reference) Canadian Whiskey   represents Proof and Woods commitment to bringing quality whiskey of the higher-end direction to the market. Blame Canada !  is following a number of other remarkable and very noteworthy whiskies actually that Mr. Schmier has found in the wild and brought to market . BC ! represents represents a beautiful merchant bottling of whiskies. The barrels selected for this bottling represent some of the finer whiskies available on the open market for bottling and, possibly, more importantly, skill in selection and blending. This particular whiskey is all made from select single barrels which ranged in proof from 117 to 119 proof and only 14 barrels in all – which given evaporation over 22 years means a vanishingly small total number of bottles were ever produced and dwindling as they are consumed.
The whiskey itself is sourced from well, somewhere in Canada, and was distilled back in 2001 and placed in used rum barrels that were originally used for aging rum from Jamaica.  In contrast to the Proof and Wood Good Day and Sunshine the exact mash bill is available in the mix of this one at 91% Rye and 9 % corn ( to add a little corn mellow and sweetness) . The age at bottling is 22 years old – which is an accomplishment these days as most people bottle their products much earlier to keep costs down. Extended aging is usually only found in colder climes ( read Scotland and Canada) and rare among United States (especially Kentucky and Tennessee as the seasonal weather cycling is generally too much for a successful  long term aging. Truly a stand out from an aging point of view !

Appearance: Clear, color is a pale gold/amber similar to the lightest of maple spirit from the first sap run of the season ( somehow fitting for this whiskey). Nice light oiliness to it on swirling in the glass with an even edglineand a few droplets forming after a long interval.

First Impression: Heavy dose of good quality  rye and hints of corn in the background whispering and softening any rough edges.

Taste:  Check under other for our initial tasting . We have since corrected h problem ut worth checking  if you hate it at first taste.
Heavy slightly oily and silky mouth entry, at 118.6 proof it is remarkably smooth and drinks like a lower proof whiskey, delicious.

Drinks: Really should be enjoyed on its own or in a Manhattan, where it shines nicely ! As with any quality rye it works well in any cocktail calling for rye ( specifically ) or whiskey in general . The math however is a touch prohibitive and it does seem a bit of a waste unless you are celebrating something of note. Also feel free to add a little water to it – it opens up nicely.

Bottle: The Proof and Wood decanter seen in some of his other premium releases , rectangular with a heft to it, wooden top with synthetic cork ( better seal and unlike a natural cork will not dry out and break ) Lighthearted label rectangular, light blue with a moose, a barrel, and a South Park reference.

Other: Maybe mine was just an odd bottle , but myself and another spirits judge really hated this bottle when we first opened it. Sometimes this happens with a bottle- some of the lightest and most volatile parts of the distillate form a near invisible puddle at the very top of the bottle and can severely effect the taste.
If you find you don’t like it either turn the bottle upside down  few times or pour off an ounce of the top. Alteratively let the first pour sit out for say 30 minutes to out gas.

Final Thoughts: Try finding anything else of this age and quality for the money.Bourbon or a good rum at 22 years is at least $10 a year to start then multiples beyond the first 10 years, and Scotch ? Forget it ! Excellent rye

Website: www.proofandwood.com/good-day
Very much the tip of the iceberg to follow his many bottlings! Short and succinct for the most part but a lot of bottles to explore – be warned !