Whisky Review: Rich and Rare Reserve Canadian Whisky

Introduction

Today, we’re diving into Rich and Rare Reserve (or Rich & Rare Reserve, as the bottle states), a Canadian whisky that, if nothing else, has a name that exudes class. But does the whisky live up to the moniker? This is a blended Canadian whisky, aged for a minimum of three years in used barrels, coming in at 80 proof (40% ABV). Unlike many other Canadian whiskies that have gained a strong reputation in blending for American brands, Rich and Rare Reserve is a budget bottle produced by Sazerac, a company best known for their American bourbon portfolio.

We don’t review Canadian whisky often—and frankly, that’s by design. The category doesn’t always deliver on complexity or depth. But with this one sitting at just under $10 for a full bottle, we had to see if it over-delivers at its rock-bottom price. Let’s dive in.

This review is taken from our episode "Brief Encounter / Rich & Rare Reserve." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.

Nose

Bob: I’m trying this live, while Brad has already had a chance to sample it. And right out of the gate, I’ll just say this: this smells like plastic. Not just in a subtle way, but like someone tossed a plastic jug into a bonfire. That’s the dominant note here.

Brad: It’s a very thin nose. I had a friend try this, and he struggled to pick up much beyond ethanol. The most he could say was, "It's a high ethanol nose." And I think that sums it up pretty well. If you search really hard, there’s a bit of generic sweetness—maybe caramel-adjacent—but that’s about it.

Bob: Caramel-adjacent is a great way to put it, because caramel actually has depth. This smells like if you just whispered the word "caramel" near the glass. I think this is actively bad. It smells like pure alcohol, with a layer of plastic bottle funk on top.

Brad: It’s bland, but not offensive. I’ll give it a 4.5/10 just because I’ve had worse.

Bob: I’m going lower. This is awful. 3/10.

Taste

Brad: Okay, so this was surprising in a good way. The palate is actually not bad. That faint caramel comes through slightly stronger, with some vanilla. And the weirdest part? There’s a little nuttiness—almost like a peanut note. It’s not complex or refined, but it’s better than I expected. 6/10.

Bob: For how awful the nose was, the taste is shockingly pleasant. Up front, there’s nothing—it’s just water. But then on the mid-palate, I get a grainy, barley note with a little bit of vanilla sweetness. The finish brings in alcohol, but also this weird melon note. Specifically, cantaloupe. And the whole thing reminds me of a cheap Irish whiskey that someone put an ice cube in, forgot about overnight, and then drank at room temperature the next day. But honestly? It’s not bad. 7/10.

Finish

Brad: The finish really tanks this for me. It turns sour as it lingers. There’s a little pepper, but nothing pleasant. The best thing I can say is that it’s short. 4/10.

Bob: It does shift into a more bitter, slightly oaky, vegetal place. There’s a little bit of youthfulness here, which isn’t surprising given the three-year minimum age requirement. It’s not as offensive as the nose, but it doesn’t do anything good, either. 5.5/10.

Balance

Brad: Very thin throughout. It doesn’t have any serious flaws outside of the nose, but it also never really works as a full experience. 5/10.

Bob: I actually think I enjoy this more than my scores indicate, but as a cohesive whiskey, it’s not balanced. It’s light, watery, and lacks depth. 5/10.

Value

Brad: Here’s where things get tricky. This costs $9.49 for a fifth in Ohio. That is absurdly cheap. And for what it is, I think it’s a decent value. You’re not going to find many 80-proof whiskeys at this price that aren’t actively offensive. So I’ll give it 7/10.

Bob: I get what you’re saying, but I’m torn. Even at $10, I wouldn’t recommend this as a mixer, because it won’t stand up to anything else in a drink. It’s too thin. And if you’re a beginner looking for an entry-level sipper, I’d still steer you toward something like Cutty Sark, which costs only a little more and is significantly better. So who is this for? That’s where I struggle. 5/10.

Final Scores

Bob: 26.5/50
Brad: 25.5/50
Average: 26/50

Final Thoughts

So where does Rich and Rare Reserve land? With a 26/50 score, this is not a whiskey we’d recommend seeking out. It’s not offensive, but it doesn’t excel in any particular way. The biggest positive takeaway is that, for its rock-bottom price, the palate is surprisingly drinkable compared to the harsh nose.

At Film & Whiskey, we usually start recommending a bottle around 35/50, so this one falls well short. However, if you’re looking for an ultra-cheap Canadian whisky to sip neat without total regret, this might fit the bill. Just don’t expect much complexity or depth.

And, strangely enough, after drinking it, Bob discovered that his breath smelled like pumpkin guts—so if that’s your thing, Rich and Rare Reserve might be the whisky for you.