Whiskey Review/Tasting: Black Velvet Onyx

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Alberta, Canada, known for its grain, corn, and rye production as well as its cattle industry. The region is characterized by its proximity to the Rocky Mountains and beautiful springs.
Type: Blended Canadian Whiskey.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Contains 12-year-aged whiskey, but it's a blend that may include younger whiskies. The exact composition is not disclosed. It's likely matured in used casks, and there's a possibility of added caramel color, as Canadian whiskey laws permit this.
Age Statement: 12 years (though this refers to the age of some of the whiskey in the blend, not all).
Color and Clarity: Likely colored with caramel, though not explicitly confirmed.
Bottle Design: Features a screw-on cap, which is plastic. The design includes a label indicating the age statement and the name "Onyx," referencing the stone.

Balance of Flavors: Smooth with a good balance between sweetness and fruitiness.
Unique Characteristics: Noted for its smoothness and a sweet flavor profile that includes maple, caramel, a hint of mint, and a bit of lemon, giving it a fresh edge. The finish brings in a sour note with wild raspberries and a "red fruit basket" of berries.
Comparison: While not directly compared to other whiskies, its profile of being smooth, sweet, with a hint of fruitiness and sourness places it within a common spectrum of accessible, not overly complex whiskies.

Anecdotes: The host shares a personal visit to the region, describing the beautiful landscapes and the industrial nature of the distillery, emphasizing the highly industrialized spirit of the Black Velvet brand.
Trivia: Black Velvet Onyx is the second best-selling whiskey in Canada.

The Alberta region's significance in grain, corn, and rye production, as well as its beautiful natural landscapes near the Rocky Mountains, contributes to the identity of Black Velvet Onyx. The whiskey embodies the industrial spirit of its production while drawing on the natural resources of its geographical location.

"I don't believe in the power of stones. I believe in the power of good whiskey."
The host expresses skepticism towards the marketing angle of the whiskey being named after the onyx stone, emphasizing a preference for the quality of the whiskey over storytelling elements.

Black Velvet Onyx is a blended Canadian whiskey from Alberta, known for its grain production and beautiful landscapes.
It contains 12-year-aged whiskey but is likely a blend with younger whiskies, possibly colored with caramel.
The flavor profile is smooth, sweet, with notes of maple, caramel, mint, lemon, and a sour finish with wild raspberries and berries.
The whiskey is part of a highly industrialized brand, the second best-selling in Canada, with a plastic screw-on cap indicating a more accessible, lower-priced offering.
The review emphasizes the importance of whiskey quality over marketing narratives, with a personal anecdote highlighting the region's natural beauty and industrial distillery.

For Beginners: Its smoothness and sweet, approachable flavor profile make it an excellent choice for those new to whiskey.
For Budget-Conscious Drinkers: Given its lower price point, it's a good option for those looking to explore Canadian whiskies without a significant financial commitment.
For Whiskey Collectors: While it may not offer the complexity sought by some collectors, its regional significance and status as the second best-selling whiskey in Canada might make it a noteworthy addition to a collection focused on Canadian whiskies.