Fraser & Thompson Whiskey

“It’s going to be strange liking whiskey”… yeah, about that.

Every once in a while, a bottle comes along with a tagline that stops you in your tracks. This one leans right into it: “It’s going to be strange liking whiskey.”

And I’ll be honest—when I see something like that, I’m equal parts curious and cautious.

Because if you already like whiskey… how strange should it be? Let’s dive in.

What Is Fraser & Thompson?

Fraser & Thompson is a North American whiskey blend, clocking in at 84 proof (42% ABV). It combines 92% Canadian whisky with 8% Kentucky bourbon, aiming to merge two traditions into a single, approachable pour. 

It’s also a celebrity-backed project, co-founded by Michael Bublé alongside Master Distiller and blender Paul Cirka. The whiskey is blended and bottled in Bardstown, Kentucky — the heart of bourbon country — under the banner of Two Rivers Distilling Company. 

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Two Rivers Distilling isn’t one of the legacy names you’ll recognize walking down the Bourbon Trail. It’s more of a modern brand house, sourcing and blending whiskey rather than distilling everything on-site — a model that’s become increasingly common in Bardstown, a region that mixes historic giants with newer, innovative players. 

So in theory, you’ve got:

• Canadian smoothness

• Kentucky backbone

• Bardstown credibility

That’s usually a solid starting point.

Let’s Pour It

Eye: Very light—like white grape juice that has hardly colored the glass. Right away, this is not what most bourbon drinkers expect. There’s almost no depth of color here, which hints at a lighter profile — or at least one that hasn’t spent much time pulling richness from the barrel.

Nose: Cloyingly sweet, like Karo syrup. Some dried apple notes. The sweetness jumps out immediately — and not in a nuanced, layered way. It’s big, direct, and a little overpowering. There’s a faint fruit note hiding underneath, but it’s working overtime just to be noticed.

Palate: Sickeningly sweet with a slightly bitter aftertaste — like well water laced with copper or iron. This is where things take a turn. The sweetness carries over from the nose but becomes heavier and less balanced. Then that metallic bitterness creeps in, cutting through the syrupy profile in a way that feels unconnected rather than complementary.

Finish: Not smooth and with a bit of a sharp bite. For a whiskey that leans so heavily on sweetness upfront, you might expect a soft landing. Instead, the finish is noticeably sharp, with a bite that doesn’t quite match the rest of the profile.

Final Thoughts

I wanted this one to work. I really did.On paper, a Canadian-Kentucky blend crafted in Bardstown sounds like a great idea—especially for people who might be just starting their whiskey journey. And at 84 proof, it’s clearly targeting approachability.

But here’s the thing: approachable doesn’t have to mean flat or overly sweet. And in this case, the balance just isn’t there. That tagline—“It’s going to be strange liking whiskey”—feels like a promise. Maybe even a challenge. In this case… it might just be strange, period.

Would I reach for it again? Probably not. But if you’re curious — or if you’re a fan of lighter, sweeter profiles—it might still be worth exploring for yourself. After all, part of the bourbon journey is figuring out what you like. 

And sometimes, that means taking a chance on something a little different. Cheers. 🥃