Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 02:19 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Explore distinctions between Black Velvet and Rich & Rare in this thorough comparison to determine your preferred Canadian Whisky.
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Black Velvet vs Rich & Rare: Comparison
Black Velvet Whisky: A budget option with a straightforward profile of vanilla, corn, and pronounced ethanol notes. Its light body and sweetness are overshadowed by a sharp alcoholic bitterness, making it a divisive choice among drinkers. Best approached with tempered expectations, it serves as a reminder of its price point in the taste.
Rich & Rare: Offers a budget-friendly mixer option with a thin, watery mouthfeel characterized by sweet corn, caramel, and a unique peppermint twist. While not the top pick for neat sipping due to its medicinal taste, it finds its place in cocktails where its simplicity can be a virtue, especially for those mindful of their spending.
Verdict: Black Velvet and Rich & Rare both cater to the budget-conscious consumer, with each presenting a distinct profile suited more for mixing than for sipping neat. Black Velvet leans towards a sweeter, oak-infused experience, while Rich & Rare offers a lighter, minty alternative for casual cocktails, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Cheap Canadian Whisky Rankings
Black Velvet Whisky: A Straightforward Review
- Nose: Vanilla, corn, ethanol
- Palate: Oak, ethanol, cotton candy, oak spice
- Finish: Nail polish
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
- Similar to: Jim Beam
Nose: Sweet vanilla greets you first, with a touch of corn and a slight alcohol note.
Palate: Black Velvet strikes you as light-bodied. Oak and a hint of alcohol come through initially, giving way to a sweet, cotton candy-like flavor. As you sip more, bitterness builds from the oak spice.
Finish: Short and warming, with a lingering alcoholic note.
Overall: This whiskey isn’t for everyone. Its thin body and strong notes of oak and alcohol might not be to everyone’s taste. While some find its sweetness appealing, the bitterness that develops can be off-putting.
Mixing: Adding Coke doesn’t mask the nail polish note, so Black Velvet might be best enjoyed neat (without ice or mixers) if you choose to try it.
Facts:
- Aged 3 years
- Mostly corn mash
- Produced at The Black Velvet distillery in Canada
- Automated operation (2 employees per shift)
- Second best-selling Canadian whiskey (behind Crown Royal)
- Owned by Heaven Hill (known for bourbons like Evan Williams)
Transparency: Black Velvet is a budget-friendly whiskey, and its taste reflects its price point. It’s important to be realistic about expectations when trying any budget spirit.
Rich & Rare Reviewed: A Budget-Friendly Mixer
- Nose: Caramel, peppermint
- Palate: Sweet corn, caramel, oak, peppermint mouthwash
- Finish: Short, cinnamon, mint
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
- Similar to: Canadian LTD
Aroma: Light, with a touch of caramel.
Taste: Thin and watery mouthfeel. Starts with notes of mint, sweet corn, caramel, and a hint of oak. Finishes with a short burst of cinnamon and mint.
Overall: Rich & Rare isn’t ideal for sipping neat due to its thinness and somewhat medicinal taste. However, it can be a good choice for mixing in cocktails or with cola, especially for those on a budget.
Things to Note:
- No age statement, likely aged around 3 years.
- Made in Canada, bottled in the U.S.
- Owned by Sazerac Company (Buffalo Trace), but doesn’t share the same quality standards.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price | Bottle Size |
| Black Velvet | $19 | 1.75L |
| Rich & Rare | $16 | 1.75L |