Canadian Whisky

The Fall of Seagram’s: Tasting the Spirits That Built an Empire

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Welcome to Your Bourbon Journey! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are taking a vintage “vertical leap” across three different countries with a historic Seagram’s flight spanning the 1970s and 1980s. 

Before the empire was dismantled, Joseph E. Seagram & Sons ruled the global spirits landscape. In this tasting, we unseal and explore three pristine, dusty bottles representing Canada, Scotland, and Kentucky straight bourbon. 

How does 1970s Benchmark compare to today’s Buffalo Trace expression? Why did vintage Canadian whisky hit so differently from the Waterloo stills? Pour yourself a dram and join us for the ride!

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Featured Bottles & Tasting Order:

🥃 Pour 1: Seagram’s V.O. Canadian Whisky (Distilled 1978, Bottled c. 1984–1985)

  • Classification: Blended Canadian Whisky
  • Distillery: Historic Waterloo Distillery (Waterloo, Ontario – closed 1993)
  • Age & Proof: 6 Years Old | 80.0 Proof (40% ABV)
  • Origin: From Rebecca’s parents’ collection, complete with its original presentation box and bilingual 1978 Canadian excise tax stamp.
  • Notes: Light, delicate sweet corn, subtle butterscotch, soft mouthfeel, and surprisingly great viscosity for an 80-proof blend.

🥃 Pour 2: Seagram’s 100 Pipers Blended Scotch Whisky (c. 1971–1974)

  • Classification: Blended Scotch Whisky
  • Distilleries: Chivas Brothers blending house; malt core sourced from Allt-a-Bhainne and Braeval (Braes of Glenlivet)
  • Specs: NAS (approx. 5–8 yr components) | 86 Proof (43% ABV) | Pre-metric 4/5 Quart
  • Sourced: Picked up for $30 at Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington, KY, inside its iconic original zippered retro travel caddy.
  • Notes: Golden Delicious apple, fresh pear, sweet malted barley, and a whisper of delicate Speyside peat. Perfect intro-level vintage Scotch that outperforms modern shelf staples.

🥃 Pour 3: Seagram’s 6 Year Benchmark Premium Bourbon (Bottled 1973)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Calvert / Henry McKenna Plant (DSP-KY-1 / D-126, Louisville, KY)
  • Age & Proof: 6 Years Old | 86 Proof (43% ABV) | 4/5 Quart Decanter
  • Dating: Confirmed 1973 via base Owens-Illinois glass date stamp and Series 112 red tax stamp. Purchased via Unicorn Auctions.
  • Notes: Rich, dark confectionery butterscotch, heavy vintage oak, rich mouthfeel, and zero thinness. An absolute masterclass in 1970s Kentucky dusty bourbon that shows why selling off Seagram’s spirits portfolio was a massive industry fumble.

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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We Found Rare Canadian Hazmats! Barrell Decade 2 vs Nashville Barrel 35 Year Review

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Heading into the weekend with some very old, ultra-high-proof Canadian whiskies on the tasting table! In this head-to-head review, we uncork two rare $200 bottles that break the 140+ proof barrier: Barrell Craft Spirits Decade 2 (141.3 proof) and a 35-Year Nashville Barrel Company Single Barrel (148.42 proof).

Can Canadian grain whisky handle extreme cask strength without drinking like fire? Does Barrell’s Spanish brandy and Hungarian oak finish outshine a pure 35-year single barrel from Louisville Rickhouse? We break down the nose, palate, finish, viscosity, and overall value to see which hazmat pour earned the top spot.

If you love exploring rare cask strength expressions, single barrels, and high-proof pours, hit the Subscribe button and join us on the journey! Always drink responsibly.

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Barrell Craft Spirits Decade 2

  • Classification: Cask Strength Blended Canadian Whisky Finished in Spanish Brandy & Hungarian Oak Casks (Hazmat)
  • Company: Barrell Craft Spirits (Black Label Series)
  • Distillery: Undisclosed Canadian Distilleries (Crafted, finished, and bottled in Louisville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed Canadian Blend (Distilled each year consecutively from 1995 to 2005)
  • Age: 20 Years (Age statement; blend components range from 20 to 30 years old)
  • Proof: 141.3 Proof (70.65% ABV)
  • SRP: $199.99
  • Released: July 2026
  • Other: Secondary maturation in Spanish brandy and Hungarian oak casks; Black Label Series Hazmat release; 750ml
  • Purchased: July 15, 2026, for $199.99 via Flaviar

Nashville Barrel Company 35-Year Single Barrel Canadian Whiskey (Barrel #297)

  • Classification: Single Barrel Cask Strength Canadian Whiskey (Hazmat)
  • Company: Nashville Barrel Company
  • Distillery: Undisclosed Canadian Distillery (Bottled by Louisville Rickhouse, DSP-KY-20181)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Corn (Aged Canadian Grain Whisky)
  • Age: 35 Years
  • Proof: 148.42 Proof (74.21% ABV)
  • SRP: $199.99
  • Released: 2026
  • Other: Single Barrel Private Selection, Barrel #297; 750ml
  • Purchased: August 14, 2026, for $199.99 at Louisville Rickhouse

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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We Opened a 75-Year-Old Bottle of O.F.C. Whiskey! 

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It’s the first Friday of the month, which means another incredible vintage bottle pour on Your Bourbon Journey! Today, we are popping the seal on a pristine, box-fresh dusty bottle: Imported O.F.C. by Schenley Canadian Whisky (8 Years Old).

Acquired from our good friend Brad Bonds at Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington, Kentucky, this 4/5 quart pinch-decanter bottle features a gorgeous pewter-style “Schenley Elegance” crest medallion, crisp tax stamps, and its original carton. Distilled in 1951 at Canadian Schenley Ltd. in Valleyfield, Quebec, and bottled around 1959 at 86.8 proof, this 75-year-old spirit delivers a massive sensory surprise!

Does vintage Canadian blended whisky hold up against classic American dusties? We dive into the sweet Werther’s-style rich butterscotch candy nose, the shocking rye-spice “Pop Rocks” sensation on the palate, and a lingering peppery finish.

Remember to drink responsibly, hit that Subscribe button, and leave a comment below: Have you ever tried vintage Canadian whisky from the mid-century? Cheers!

Visit our Friends at Revival Vintage Spirits https://revivalky.com/ 

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🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

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Imported O.F.C. by Schenley Canadian Whisky

  • Classification: Canadian Blended Whisky
  • Company: Schenley International Corp. (New York, NY) / Schenley Industries, Inc.
  • Distillery: Canadian Schenley Ltd. (Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed Canadian multi-grain blend (typically corn base whisky with flavoring rye and malted barley)
  • Age: 8 Years Old
  • Proof: 86.8 Proof (43.4% ABV)
  • SRP: Original historical retail ~$5.00–$6.50; Modern vintage valuation ~$150–$200
  • Released: Distilled 1951 / Bottled circa 1959 (Note: Canadian excise tax stamps denote the distillation/entry year rather than the bottling year; paired with the 8-year age statement, bottling occurred around 1959)
  • Other: 4/5 Quart decanter-style pinch bottle with pewter-style “Schenley Elegance” crest medallion and original carton; sealed with Canadian Excise strip (Series D, No. 9793118, dated 1951), red U.S. Internal Revenue Distilled Spirits strip (No. 36197224), and vintage State of Florida 43.5¢ Alcoholic Beverage Tax stamp.
  • Purchased: March 15, 2026 for $150 at Revival Vintage Spirits

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Is Sam’s Club Private Label Whiskey Worth the Buy?

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Is Sam’s Club Whiskey Actually Good? | Member’s Mark Bourbon, Scotch & Canadian Review

Can you really find top-shelf quality on a big-box budget? Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into the world of Member’s Mark spirits from Sam’s Club. We’re putting three “M” bottles to the test: a 10-Year Highland Scotch, a 15-Year Canadian Whisky, and a 110-proof Single Barrel Bourbon distilled at the legendary Barton 1792.

At prices ranging from $19 to $30, these bottles sound like an absolute steal—but do they hold up in the glass? We break down the mash bills, the “hidden” distillery rumors (Clynelish? Sazerac?), and give you our honest tasting notes on the nose, palate, and finish. Whether you’re looking for a low-cost daily sipper or a high-proof mixer for your next cocktail, you won’t want to miss this budget-friendly breakdown.

Whiskeys Tasted Today:

  • Member’s Mark Bourbon Single Barrel ($18.97)
    • Distillery: Barton 1792 | Proof: 110 | Notes: A budget “Full Proof” with heavy cherry and brown sugar.
  • Member’s Mark Canadian Whisky (15 Year) ($29.86)
    • Source: Likely Sazerac’s Old Montreal Distillery | Proof: 80 | Notes: A mature, blended sipper for fans of smooth Canadian profiles.
  • Member’s Mark Highland Scotch Whisky (10 Year) ($29.98)
    • Source: Alexander Murray & Co. | Proof: 80 | Notes: Light, citrusy, and crisp with a touch of nutty peat.

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✴️ Member’s Mark Bourbon Single Barrel

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Barton 1792 Distillery
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed but widely recognized as Barton’s high-rye recipe: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley.
  • Age: NAS (No Age Statement), though industry consensus puts it at roughly 4–6 years.
  • Proof: 110
  • Note: Budget-friendly version of 1792 Full Proof
  • Purchased: 01/30/26 for $18.97 at Sam’s Club in Evansville IN

✴️ Member’s Mark Canadian Whisky (15 Year)

  • Classification: Blended Canadian Whisky
  • Bottled by: IWA Distilling Co., Louisville, KY (This is a Sazerac-owned bottling facility, which strongly suggests the juice is sourced from Sazerac’s Canadian assets, likely the Old Montreal Distillery).
  • Mash Bill: Predominantly Corn with some Rye and Malted Barley (Typical for premium aged Canadian blends)
  • Age: 15 years
  • Proof: 80
  • Purchased: 01/30/26 for $29.86 at Sam’s Club in Evansville IN

✴️ Member’s Mark Highland Scotch Whisky

  • Classification: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • Source: While the distillery is undisclosed, this is sourced through Alexander Murray & Co., the famous independent bottler that handles private labels for Costco and Sam’s Club.
  • Distillery Rumors: Given the profile (Highland, 10 years, light peat/citrus), many enthusiasts speculate the source is Clynelish or Dalmore, though Highland Park (technically an Island but often labeled Highland) is also a frequent source for Murray’s 10-year blends.
  • Mash Bill: 
  • Age: 10 years
  • Proof: 80
  • Purchased: 01/30/26 for $29.98 at Sam’s Club in Evansville IN

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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