Flavor Camp
Flavor Camp

Stillhead Bartender’s Rye

January 13, 2025

Canadian Whisky Rye Spirits Whisk(e)y
3 min reading time

TL;DR: Stillhead Distillery’s Bartender’s Rye is a bold, grain-forward whisky crafted for mixologists, delivering spicy, herbaceous depth. Exclusively available at select bars across BC, this hidden gem is made for those who know where to look.

Stillhead Distillery’s Bartender’s Rye is a true celebration that is grain-forward letting bold, spicy, herbaceous character take centre stage. Designed with mixologists in mind, Bartender’s Rye is a versatile performer that shines in both classic and creative cocktails. But here’s the catch—you won’t find it on store shelves. This exclusive release is only available at select local bars across BC, making it a hidden treasure for those in the know. If you want to experience the pure, unfiltered charm of a grain-forward rye, your best bet is to hunt it down at your favourite BC watering hole.

Flavor Camp Taste Profile

Overall Rating

Total Score: 31/50

Aroma: 5/9
Taste: 5/9
Finish: 3/5
Distinctiveness: 4/5
Overall Drinkability/Balance: 5/9
Value for Price: 5/8
Appearance: 4/5

Tasting Notes

  • Appearance: Brown sherry
  • Aroma: Dusty grains and burnt caramel immediately are present on the nose alongside rye spices (black pepper, anise, liquorice, cinnamon), eucalyptus, vanilla, juicy oranges, and a touch of sawdust/pencil shavings. This whisky smells youthful.
  • Taste & Mouthfeel: The palate is hot and spicy, there's almost a capsaicin note, green pepper, fennel, menthol (green notes), more rye spice (cinnamon), maple, sawdust, and cigar box.
  • Finish: Pepper, wood, and sawdust - it's the pacific northwest in a bottle.
  • Distinctiveness: Personally, I find all of Stillhead Distillery's ryes to have this distinctive dusty grain note to them.
  • Overall Drinkability & Balance: This is an interesting rye, showing a grain-forward youthfulness. It would definitely shine through in a cocktail.

Product Details

  • Distiller: Stillhead Distillery
  • Type: Rye Whisky (Canadian Whisky)
  • Age: No Age Statement
  • Still Type: Hybrid Still
  • Cask Type(s): West Virginia American Oak, 18-month air dried, Char #2 Toast Heavy
  • Origin: Duncan, BC, Canada
  • Composition: 100% BC-grown Rye
  • ABV: 46%
  • # of Distillations: 1
  • Price: On Premise Exclusive Only!

Comments / Notes:

Three things to remember about this whisky:

All Locally Sourced Ingredients: The rye grain is sourced from Vancouver Island.

Custom Casks: Heavy toast, char #2 American Oak casks are only actually charred for about 30 seconds. Unlike the char #3 and alligator chars that are more commonly used in the industry, char #2 will tend to impart: Caramel, Nougat, Light Vanilla, Tannic Wood Notes (think pencil shavings or sawdust types of notes).

Tasting Lounge Experience: Stillhead Distillery, located in Duncan, BC, which is located on Vancouver Island, now has a 50-seat lounge to taste their spirits and try them in cocktails.

  • Crushable / Daily Drinker
  • Cocktail Worthy
  • Special Occasion Sipper Only
  • Weird & Wonderful
  • Skip It


Food Pairing Recommendations: Galerie au Chocolate Milk Chocolate Maple Crunch, Cinnamon Bun


Cocktail Recommendations: Boulevardier, Revolver, Meat Hook
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