Canadian whisky is coming of age. Once written off as predictable and rye-forward, the category has transformed over the past decade, staging a bold comeback. No longer lurking in the shadows of bonny Scotland’s single malts, or content to play second fiddle to the smooth bourbons of our spirited southern neighbours, Canadian whisky is taking centre stage, receiving global recognition for its craftsmanship and character. With that in mind, there has never been a better time to add a sip of homegrown sophistication to your bar cart. Cheers!
Bearface Wilderness Series: Wild Air
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The third release in Bearface’s celebrated Wilderness Series is inspired by the rugged peaks and crisp air of the Plain of Six Glaciers, a remote wilderness within the boundaries of Banff National Park. Capturing the essence of that first deep breath of mountain air and the taste of birch that teases the tongue out in the wilds, Andres Faustinelli creates a distinctly Canadian flavour by utilizing the bark and water from the trees. Whisky is matured in ex “brȗlée” maple syrup barrels, and brought to proof using vertical water harvested from maple trees. ($60)
Canadian Club Classic 18 Year Old High Proof
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The second issue of Canadian Club’s exclusive Invitation Series marked their first-ever release of an 18-year-old whisky. Bottled at 58%, the higher-than-typical proof delivers an elevated tasting experience, exacerbating existing aromas of toffee, leather, and caramel, and flavours of rich oak and vanilla, to their absolute pinnacle. This one-time release from the iconic Canadian Club portfolio speaks to the artistry of whisky making and the enduring legacy of the brand. Testimony to its excellence, Canadian Club Classic 18 Year Old High Proof was awarded Gold (95 points) at the 2024 International Wine & Spirits Competition. ($90)
Sons of Vancouver: Wheated Rye
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The first micro-distillery to win “Canadian Whisky of the Year” at the 2023 Canadian Whisky Awards, Sons of Vancouver are known for their incredibly converted, deeply limited releases. Consistently available, and consistently flavourful, the Wheated Rye Whisky is the first of its kind in Canada, offering a unique mashbill (75% rye, 25% wheat) with a distinctive flavour profile. Aged in a combination of ex-bourbon casks and new American oak, sweet wheat plays with peppery rye in a most delightful synergy.($96)
Alberta Distillers Rare Batch No.1 23 Year Old
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First barreled at the turn of the millennium, this first release of rare premium rye whisky from distillation powerhouse, Alberta Distillers, was aged for 23 years before reaching its apex. Bottled and released at 50%, this intricate rye delivers notes of baked pear, molasses, dark chocolate, raisin, carmel and, of course, spice. ($150)
Glen Breton Rare 10 Year Old Single Malt
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Distilled on the glistening coastline of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, this unicorn of a bottle has been rated in the Top 50 Spirits Worldwide by Wine Enthusiast magazine, and within GQ France’s Best 13 Whiskies in the World list in 2023. Creators, Glenora Distillery, were among the first in the Canadian whisky making game, with their time-honoured commitment to quality front and centre of each sip. Whisky is aged in American Oak and rested in warehouses located in an idyllic apple orchard. ($75)
Dillion’s Rye Whisky
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From grain to glass, Dillion’s present 100% Ontario rye, copper pot distilled and aged in three separate casks: new Ontario oak, new American oak, and ex-bourbon barrels. The end result is a diverse and characterful whisky, replete with dry fruit aromas and notes of ginger, citrus, caramel, oak and baking spice. ($50)
Wild Life Sherry Cask Single Malt
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Emerging as strong contenders in the Canadian whisky game, Canmore’s Wild Life Distillery sourced Pedro Ximenez sherry Hogshead casks from a Spanish Bodega to finish a few barrels of their revered single malt. The end result? Liquid gold. Batch 001 is bottled at 46.1 %, giving it a slightly lengthy finish, with flavours of dried fig, prune, malted milk chocolate, oak and leather. ($93)
Alberta Premium Cask Strength
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An essential bar cart bottle for both rye lovers, and fans of punchy cask strength releases, Alberta Premium Cask Strength is fruit cake-forward, with notes of dark chocolate and baking spice. 100% rye and delivered straight from barrel to bottle, the raw nature of this whisky, which is notably not proofed down, means the ABV varies from batch to batch, creating a distinguished sipping experience. ($70)
Paradigm Spirits 2022 Heritage Collection: The Last Batch
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Own one of 150 commemorative bottles of Paradigm Spirits 2022 Heritage Collection, a 19-year-old Canadian corn whisky aged in American oak, with a dosage of oloroso sherry. Winner of the Canadian Whisky of the Year, and awarded Double Platinum at the 2022 ASCOT Awards, this special release is considered among the pinnacle of modern Canadian whiskies. Notes of creamy vanilla and cacao intertwine with subtle teases of tobacco and leather. The Last Batch comes in an elegant display box, alongside two hand-blown etched Glencairn glasses, making it the perfect gift or special occasion purchase for any whisky connoisseur. ($353)
Bridgeland Glenbow Single Malt Whisky
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Hyper-local and a true taste of Albertan whisky-making prowess, Bridgeland’s Glenbow single malt sources its barley from a single field at one specific farm, malted local, and distilled with Bow Glacier Water. A slew of accolades to its name, this carefully crafted sip delivers vanilla ice cream, roasted barley and baking spice to the palate. ($70 per 500mL)
Eau Claire Armagnac Cask
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Eau Claire has a reputation for experimentation, speaking to one of the many reasons why they are Canada’s most decorated distillery. Aged in hand-selected ex Armagnac brandy casks, the resulting liquid boasts a soft roundness at first sip, with notes of Alberta honey, orchard blossom, soft vanilla, cane sugar and spice. ($130)
Shelter Point Ripple Rock
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Inspired by Campbell River’s infamous 1958 Ripple Rock explosion, one of the biggest non-nuclear detonations in history, the gold-award winning whisky from Shelter Point boasts an “explosion” of flavour. A single malt whisky aged in alligator charred virgin American oak casks and ex-bourbon barrels, like other Shelter Point expressions, Ripple Rock is stored in a warehouse located close to the ocean to allow for a slow, saline-kissed, maturation. Vanilla spice, stronk oak, barbecued meat, pepper and clove are balanced with notes of toffee and chocolate. ($78)
Anohka Distillery This is Not Whisky Heavily Peated
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There is a buzz in the world of whisky aficionados, and it is all surrounding one of Canada’s newest farm-to-flask distilleries, Anohka. Very much billed as “ones to watch”, Anohka is so young that they haven’t yet released a spirit that meets the age requirements to be called whisky, but their new make spirit notably pleases and sparkles. Consider “This is Not Whisky” the origin story of what will undoubtedly become the next great success of Canadian distillation. Crafted in a fire-heated copper still, this smoke-heavy peated spirit was aged for two years in an ex-bourbon barrel. ($52)
J.P. Wiser’s 28 Year Old
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Part of the Decades Series, J.P. Wiser’s 28-year-old is a celebration of the nineties. Distilled in 1996, the same year Master Blender Dr. Don Livermore began his career at the Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery, the exceptional release showcases a commitment to patience, care and heritage. Notes of honey and fresh stone fruit, crisp green apple, ripe peaches, creme brulee, toasted oak and leather culminate in a warm spiced finish. ($328)
Crown Royal 18 Year Old Extra Rare
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Masterfully blended to showcase complexity and elegance, Crown Royal 18 is crafted with some of the rarest whiskies ever produced by the veteran distillers. Patiently aged in new charred oak and used barrels with a mash bill of three grains, Crown Royal 18 Year Old showcases the art of alchemy. Silken in body, light space is balanced with caramel and nougat. ($210)
Macaloney’s Island Whisky Kildara
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With third-generation distiller, Mike Nicolson, and his storied resume of single malt creation at 18 different Scottish distilleries (including heavy hitters Lagavulin and Glenkinchie), it is fair to say one expects greatness from Macaloney’s Island Distillery. The triple-distilled Kildara, winner of the World’s Best Pot Still Whisky at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards, delivers. Using a compendium of woods for flavour – ex Kentucky bourbon barrels, Spanish oloroso and PX sherry casks, plus virgin American oak – the liquid is as rich and complex as one would expect. Chunky in mouthfeel, notes of candied orange, blackberries, raspberry jam, dark chocolate, marzipan, stewed plums and roasted nuts give way to a medium finish. ($110)
Sortilège Prestige
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Also not technically a whisky, Sortilège is whisky liqueur made with the inclusion of pure Canadian maple syrup. Sortilège Prestige combines seven-year-old rye with pure first-run Quebec maple syrup to create a rich and deeply indulgent sip boasting maple, vanilla, caramel, and spice. ($50)
