Search
Close this search box.
Canadian

Orphan Barrel Entrapment Canadian Whisky

OVERALL
RATING

4

Whisky Review: Orphan Barrel Entrapment Canadian Whisky

Tasting Notes:

About:
Canadian whisky, 97% corn/3% malt, aged 25 years, 41% ABV Color: Pale copper
Appearance:
Nose:
Butterscotch, faint spice, maple donut, confectioner’s sugar. Like other Canadian whiskies, this one mostly smells overwhelmingly sweet to me.
Palate:
More butterscotch, syrup, and brown sugar, with a heavy dose of oak. There’s a flash of cherry cough syrup on the back of the palate, and the finish sits somewhere between bitter and medicinal. Texturally, it’s both light and faintly drying. are cloyingly sweet, and the finish is all bitter oak—something I imagine the 25 years in the barrel is responsible for. Since this is basically extra-old Crown Royal, do yourself a favor and just buy a bottle of Crown Royal. Sending User Review 3.45 (22 votes) Buy A Bottle Share: XFacebookLinkedInEmail Drinks Aizome Island – Tropical Style Minor Cobbler Strawberry Rhubarb Julep Crimson & Clover Club Wynken, Blynken, & Nog Related Articles Whiskey Review: Highline Triple Rye Whiskey Editor’s Note: This whiskey was… READ ARTICLE ? about Whiskey Review: Highline Triple Rye Whiskey American / Reviews Whiskey Review: Savage & Cooke American Whiskey Editor’s Note: This whiskey was… READ ARTICLE ? about Whiskey Review: Savage & Cooke American Whiskey American / Reviews Whisky Review: Bruichladdich Octomore 14.3 Editor’s Note: This whisky was… READ ARTICLE ? about Whisky Review: Bruichladdich Octomore 14.3 Reviews / Scotch Whisky Review: Glenglassaugh 12 Years Old Editor’s Note: This whisky was… READ ARTICLE ? about Whisky Review: Glenglassaugh 12 Years Old Reviews / Scotch Whiskey Review: Highline American Whiskey Editor’s Note: This whiskey was… READ ARTICLE ? about Whiskey Review: Highline American Whiskey American / Reviews Whiskey Review: Savage & Cooke Rye Whiskey Editor’s Note: This whiskey was… READ ARTICLE ? about Whiskey Review: Savage & Cooke Rye Whiskey American / Reviews Whisky Review: Bruichladdich Octomore 14.2 Editor’s Note: This whisky was… READ ARTICLE ? about Whisky Review: Bruichladdich Octomore 14.2 Reviews / Scotch Whisky Review: Glenglassaugh Sandend Editor’s Note: This whisky was… READ ARTICLE ? about Whisky Review: Glenglassaugh Sandend Reviews / Scotch Whiskey Review: Highline Straight Kentucky Whiskey Editor’s Note: This whiskey was… READ ARTICLE ? about Whiskey Review: Highline Straight Kentucky Whiskey American / Reviews Whiskey Review: Savage & Cooke Bourbon Editor’s Note: This whiskey was… READ ARTICLE ? about Whiskey Review: Savage & Cooke Bourbon Bourbon / Reviews Katelyn Best Katelyn is a freelance writer in Portland, Oregon. She’s a regular contributor to the Whiskey Wash with an affinity for the unique and weird side of whiskey. More by Katelyn Best Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Connect with on on LinkedIn About Advertise Subscribe Editorial Standards Privacy Policy Terms of Use
Finish:
Comments:
With the strong caveat that I don’t taste much Canadian whisky and don’t tend to care for the category in general, I just don’t like this whisky very much. The nose and front palate are cloyingly sweet, and the finish is all bitter oak—something I imagine the 25 years in the barrel is responsible for. Since this is basically extra-old Crown Royal, do yourself a favor and just buy a bottle of Crown Royal.

Orphan Barrel is a Diageo-owned label that releases bottlings of “forgotten” whiskeys. Entrapment, a Canadian whisky, is the first non-American release from this brand. This whisky was originally destined to become Crown Royal, but somehow didn’t end up in the blend, and instead sat in the barrel for a full 25 years before being hauled down to Tullahoma, Tennessee for bottling.

The whiskey is described as “97% corn and 3% [malt]” and is the eleventh release in this particular Diageo line up. My sample came in a cute wooden book safe, complete with what seems to be a working compass. The inside of the “book jacket” reads:

“Crafted in the heart of the Manitoba wilderness, Entrapment captures the promise of adventure and freedom. Entrapment, a jack of all trades, makes its mark but leaves no trace behind.”

The suggested retail price for this whisky is an eye-popping $150.

Tasting Notes: Orphan Barrel Entrapment

Vital stats: Canadian whisky, 97% corn/3% malt, aged 25 years, 41% ABV

Color: Pale copper

Nose: Butterscotch, faint spice, maple donut, confectioner’s sugar. Like other Canadian whiskies, this one mostly smells overwhelmingly sweet to me.

Palate: More butterscotch, syrup, and brown sugar, with a heavy dose of oak. There’s a flash of cherry cough syrup on the back of the palate, and the finish sits somewhere between bitter and medicinal. Texturally, it’s both light and faintly drying.

Search
  • Latest News
  • Latest Reviews