Review: Rich & Rare Reserve Blended Canadian Whisky
Review: Rich & Rare Reserve Blended Canadian Whisky
Sazerac’s Rich & Rare Canadian Whisky is a fast-growing brand — the fastest-growing U.S.-bottled Canadian brand last year — but one that is available in only about a dozen states right now. It’s also dirt cheap: The standard bottling sells for about $7.50.
The line is already expanding to add a Reserve bottling which will sell for all of $10 to $14 when it’s released this month.
This whisky — no age statement, 80 proof — is a brilliant orange in color, and citrus is the dominant flavor on the palate. It’s sweet but not cloying, with rich, sherried fruitiness to it — orange, plums, and grilled peaches. The finish is driven by the wood — caramel and cotton candy notes — but it goes out clean. While rye is obviously a component here, it’s not a dominant one: Spiciness is limited largely to the nose, where you get a touch of herbs, and a fleeting hint of it on the finish.
All told, it’s easygoing but surprisingly alive and balanced for a whisky that will probably set you back all of 13 bucks.
80 proof.
A- / $13 / sazerac.com
Rich & Rare Reserve Blended Canadian Whisky
$13
i was told about r&r whiskey 2 months ago and it is great. it is all we drink out our private club in chesapeake, va. it is so smooth on the rocks. we buy it at the abc store on liberty st. in chesapeake, va 23324.
again it is a grat whisky.
keep up the good work, tim
Been drinking R&R for 6 years, by far the best value and flavor in West Michigan
I’ve been drinking R & R since about 1973
My friendly bartender suggested this when he could not offer me Jose Cuervo(all
he carried was El toro)
I tried a shot of R & R and have been drinking it ever since.
I AM disappointed that they changed the shape of the bottle – it had “character” with
the old bottle
R&R reserve is better than regular R&R. I just stepped up to the Reserve a couple days ago and it is way smoother and better tasting overall. Kicks the dog out of crown for the price this is my new canadian whisky.
R&R Reserve is my favorite alcohol. Regular R&R and Monarch Canadian was my favorite before I bought R&R Reserve. I get zero hang overs from any Canadian Whisky, and bad hang overs from American Whiskey, Vodka, etc.
Is this whiskey stronger than crown?
No, same proof.
Rich and rare is the most nasty dirty filthy rot gut whiskey I have ever drank why people would put this poison in there body Is beyond me. You minds well drink horse piss from a bottle
I am trying to wrap my head around circumstances that would lead one to know what horse piss tastes like in order to make that point. Please give more details.
okay, mr. patrickashcroft. but are you talking about regular r&r or reserve? there is a difference. and how do you know get your horse to piss in a bottle?
I’ve drank a lot of bourbon, scotch, and had my fair share of Canadian, R&R Reserve is robust, tangy, and has the rye thing going that I look for in bourbon, smooth even though I like bite…for the buck, you can ‘t go wrong….maybe a little too smooth…. Bottle went down no problem.
Does anyone here ever put this whiskey in the freezer? I have drank this for several years,I have never had it freeze! The last few times I have bought this, has been freezing on me. Thought my son was watering down my booze! Anyone else have this problem.. whiskey shouldn’t freeze!
Alcohol doesn’t freeze, I put it in the freezer too and I must say this is the best Canadian Whiskey I’ve ever tasted. O and I’ve put everything in the freezer even tequila rose.. lol I love taking shots of tequila rose when a lot of my friends come over. When I’m alone it’s R&R Reserve just for me and occasionally a friend or two.
We have found some difference in some bottles of r& really recently. It has an off taste that is very repulsive. The label is ineligible to read as to when the batch was produces. We love r&r! But this is was not good. Please respond.l
Hands down better than standard R & R, LTD, Mist, Canadian Hunter, Black Velvet or Black Velvet reserve. As it is near the top of the bottom shelf, it reminds me of a less sweet version of Lord Calvert. Mixes well and is OK straight too. Considering the price point a best buy.
I would rather drink monkey snot from a gorillas
Ass then drink this crap.
It is pure poison ( R& R)
Well what’s stopping you. Go get a shot glass and drink that monkey snot, then come back and tell us how it tasted.
R&R HAS BEEN MY FARORITE FOR YEARS, BUT RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE COLOR AND TASTE. SOME BOTTLES ARE OF NORMAL COLOR AND SOME ARE ALMOST CLEAR. I HAVE PICTURES. I CHECKED THE PROOF OF BOTH AND FOUND THAT THE CLEAREST ONLY HAD 42 PROOF. THE DARKER HAS THE 90 PROOF AS IT’S SUPPOSED TO HAVE. I CAN’T GET A RESPONCE FROM THE DISTILERY. AS FOR AS THE SALES PERSON, WELL YEA, IT’S DIFFERENT. TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT TWO OR THREE BOTTLES OF R&R SIDE BY SIDE AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT I’M TALKKING ABOUT. SOMEONE SOMEWHERE IS STEALING WHISKY.