Whiskey lovers rejoice! Canada is known for producing some of the finest whiskey in the world. From rich, bold blends to smooth and sophisticated single malts, there is a Canadian whiskey for every taste preference.
To help guide your search for the perfect bottle, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best whiskeys available in Canada.
Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just starting to explore the world of whiskey, this list has something for everyone.
So, grab a glass, sit back, and discover the best whiskeys in Canada and all they offer.
Table of contents
- What Makes the Whiskeys in Canada Unique?
- Tips for Choosing the Perfect Whiskeys in Canada
- Overview of the Best Whiskeys in Canada in 2023
- List of the Best Whiskeys in Canada in 2023
- #1. Best Overall: Danfield’s Limited Edition 21 Year Old
- #2. Smoothest Blend: Crown Royal Deluxe
- #3. Interesting Combination of Tasting Notes: Lot 40
- #4. Complex Blend: Pendleton Director’s Reserve 20 Year
- #5. Pleasant Aromas: Forty Creek Confederation Oak
- #6. Short Finish: Caribou Crossing Single Barrel
- #7. Sweetest Notes & Flavor: Pendleton Whiskey
- #8. Spice: Pike Creek 10 Year Old (Rum Barrel Finished)
- #9. Ambitious Multigrain Blend: Gooderham & Worts Four Grain Whiskey
- #10. Interesting Finishing Taste: Shelter Point Artisanal Single Malt Whiskey
- How to Serve and Enjoy Canadian Whiskey
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What Makes the Whiskeys in Canada Unique?
Canadian whiskey has been gaining popularity in recent years, with more and more people becoming interested in discovering what sets it apart from other whiskeys.
Here is a brief overview of why the best whiskeys in Canada are unique.
#1. The Canadian Whiskey Style
Whiskeys in Canada have distinctive styles that set them/ apart from other types of whiskey. This style is characterized by its use of rye, corn, and barley as the main grains, which gives the whiskey a smooth and balanced flavor.
Additionally, whiskeys in Canada are known for their emphasis on smoothness and balance, making them a popular choice for those new to whiskey or who prefer a more mild and more approachable drink.
#2. Regional Differences
While whiskeys in Canada have a recognizable style, you can also find regional differences.
These differences can come from various factors, such as using different water sources, local climate, environmental influence, and the traditions and methods used by individual distilleries. As a result, whiskey lovers can experience a wide range of flavors and styles when exploring Canadian whiskey.
#3. Aging Process
The aging process of Canadian whiskey also contributes to its unique character. Whiskeys in Canada are aged in oak barrels, which help to develop the whiskey’s flavor and smoothness.
The length of aging time and the specific type of oak used can also impact the final product, making each truly unique.
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Tips for Choosing the Perfect Whiskeys in Canada
With so many options available, choosing the perfect whiskeys in Canada can be overwhelming. Here are tips and advice to help you choose the right whiskey for your needs.
#1. Consider your taste
Your taste is the first and most important factor when choosing a Canadian whiskey. Do you prefer a sweeter or spicier whiskey?
Are you looking for a smooth and mild drink or something with more complex flavors? Understanding your preferences will help you narrow your options and find the perfect whiskey.
#2. Age
The age of Canadian whiskey can also impact the drink’s flavor, aroma, and overall character. Younger Canadian whiskeys tend to have a lighter and fruitier flavor, while older whiskeys can be more robust and complex. Consider your taste and the occasion when choosing the right age of whiskey.
#3. Distillery
Different distilleries can produce different styles of Canadian whiskey, so consider exploring different brands to find the one that best fits your taste. Some distilleries may focus on traditional methods, while others may be more experimental and try new techniques and ingredients.
#4. Price
Canadian whiskey can range in price from affordable to premium, so consider your budget when choosing the perfect whiskey. Keep in mind that higher-priced whiskey does not always guarantee a better product.
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Overview of the Best Whiskeys in Canada in 2023
Whiskey is a timeless drink that millions of people have enjoyed all over the world for centuries. Its rich and complex flavor profile makes it easy to understand why this drink has remained so popular.
Canadian whiskey is as diverse as the country, from smooth and sophisticated single malts to rich and bold blends.
Here is an overview of the best whiskeys in Canada in 2023
- Danfield’s Limited Edition 21 Year Old
- Crown Royal Deluxe
- Lot 40
- Pendleton Director’s Reserve 20 Year
- Forty Creek Confederation Oak
- Caribou Crossing Single Barrel
- Pendleton Whiskey
- Pike Creek 10 Year Old
- Gooderham & Worts Four Grain Whiskey
- Shelter Point Artisanal Single Malt Whiskey
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List of the Best Whiskeys in Canada in 2023
Whiskey has been a staple of the drinking culture for centuries, offering a rich and complex flavor profile that millions of people worldwide enjoy.
This drink has found a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors in Canada. From the icy peaks of the Rockies to the rolling hills of the Maritimes, Canadian whiskey has a unique and storied history intertwined with the nation’s identity.
Now, we will delve into the ten best whiskeys in Canada that are worth a try. Whether you prefer a bold and robust blend or a smooth and delicate single malt, this list will provide you with the best options to satisfy your cravings.
So, grab a glass, sit back, and discover the rich and flavorful world of Canadian whiskey.
#1. Best Overall: Danfield’s Limited Edition 21 Year Old
Cost: $26.24
Danfield’s Limited Edition 21 Year Old is one of the best whiskeys in Canada. Master distillers have even aged it in their warehouses for up to 21 years.
The Black Velvet distillery in Lethbridge, Alberta, now produces Danfield’s 21, which they previously made in the Schenley distillery in Quebec. With its brown sugar and caramel taste, you’ll first notice its overtones of cinnamon and nutmeg.
#2. Smoothest Blend: Crown Royal Deluxe
Cost: $41.79
There are a lot of excellent Canadian whiskeys available.
However, Crown Royal Deluxe is the most fantastic option if you seek a silky and delectable combination.
It has a sophisticated flavor with traces of vanilla and fruit, making it a standout evening drink.
More of you can enjoy this whiskey than others because of its lower alcohol content (40%), which also contributes to its creamy flavor with overtones of vanilla and oak.
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#3. Interesting Combination of Tasting Notes: Lot 40
Cost: $39.99
The famous 100% rye whiskey from Northern Border Collection is well known for winning the whiskey of the year award in 2013, 2015, and 2017 and the 2017 Canadian whiskey Awards.
It will direct your drinking experience toward a crisp yet sweet finish with its zesty scent and flavor characteristics of coffee, vanilla, dried apples, raisins, and deep-aged oak.
The sole drawback to Lot 40 is that it isn’t as adaptable whether consumed neat or when added to cocktails due to its lack of complexity.
#4. Complex Blend: Pendleton Director’s Reserve 20 Year
Cost: $179.99
This whiskey is one of the best whiskeys in Canada. It is bottled in Mt. Hood, Oregon (US), but is blended with barley, corn, and rye whiskey that has matured for over 20 years in Canada.
The whiskey with a 40% alcohol content offers the best of both worlds. It’s the ideal drink after a long day at work or while having dinner.
Furthermore, a hint of waxiness counteracts the mild brown sugar notes.
The oak barrel distilled whiskey has an extensive flavor profile that begins with notes of butter toast and oak, moves through almond, and finishes with molasses.
Even the most experienced whiskey drinkers will be astonished.
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#5. Pleasant Aromas: Forty Creek Confederation Oak
Cost: $67.99
A whiskey made in Canada by Forty Creek Distillery is the Confederation Oak Reserve.
Many honors, including Whiskey of the Decade, have been given to this product since its 2010 debut.
These barrels were aged for a few years in Canadian Oak barrels, giving the beverage an aged appearance and a variety of flavors, including honeyed almonds.
Its smooth finish and full-bodied yet rich flavor, which set it apart from other whiskeys, are attributes of the blending process.
Another aspect of this flavor is a nice white pepper aftertaste that lingers and then dissipates.
#6. Short Finish: Caribou Crossing Single Barrel
Cost:
Rye, corn and malted barley were combined by the Old Montreal Distillery and aged in unidentified barrels.
You’ll detect a wide range of flavors when inhaling this medium-bodied whiskey, including nuts, caramel, oak, butterscotch, vanilla, grain, lemon zest, and spice.
After that, as soon as you start drinking, a delicious vanilla-biscuit flavor with overtones of butterscotch and caramel will hit you. Additionally, you might see some oak and grain.
To round things up, you’ll have a brief, spicy, sweet, butterscotch-tasting finish.
It’s a great, sweet, complex drink, but it’s not the best if you want a long-lasting taste.
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#7. Sweetest Notes & Flavor: Pendleton Whiskey
Cost: $26.99
The Pendleton Company produces the 40% ABV Pendleton Whiskey.
Although it is founded in Hood River, Oregon, the whiskey is blended with Canadian whiskey to give it unique qualities in other whiskeys. It is among the best whiskeys in Canada.
When you first sip, you’ll need clarification on this drink’s delicious marshmallow and caramel aromas.
This is the ideal beverage for you if you’re seeking a sweet whiskey. You’ll detect a faint hint of rye spice with a mildly warming aftertaste.
#8. Spice: Pike Creek 10 Year Old (Rum Barrel Finished)
Cost: $34.49
They gave the 10 Year Old Pike Creek whiskey an intriguing combination of aromas and flavors that many of you may have yet to think it received by spending ten years aged in rum barrels.
But first, Pike Creek was made available in the late 1990s as a part of a campaign to make Canadian whiskeys more widely available in North America.
However, it didn’t work out. On the other hand, Pike Creek reissued it in 2012.
When you first drink it, you’ll smell a mixture of berries and baking spices coming from your nostrils.
The whiskey will next taste peppery with hints of red licorice as you continue to sip. You’ll then encounter a strong finish that combines cinnamon, oak spice, vanilla, and undertones of maple syrup.
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#9. Ambitious Multigrain Blend: Gooderham & Worts Four Grain Whiskey
Cost: $43.99
Four grains are used to create the rich, nuanced flavor of Gooderham and Worts Four Grain Whiskey.
The business began producing whiskey in 1837, became one of the most popular brands in Canada, and made a fortune during Prohibition in the United States.
It contains rye, barley, wheat, and corn for its great flavor profile and a deep golden amber hue. They blend beautifully together, with hints of licorice, eucalyptus, and Red Hots cinnamon.
Compared to the other Canadian whiskeys on this list, its complexity makes it one of Canada’s top whiskeys.
What other whiskeys provide as many flavorful options as Gooderham & Worts Four Grain whiskey?
In the foreground of the sip are green grains, cinnamon, and ginger snap cookies, with notes of peanut brittle and caramel following.
You’ll be left with a lovely dry cinnamon and clove taste from the 90-proof whiskeys.
You should try the Four Grain whiskey if you’re looking for a warming winter dram or a carefully crafted whiskey that will wow Crown Royal Northern Harvest lovers.
#10. Interesting Finishing Taste: Shelter Point Artisanal Single Malt Whiskey
Cost: $85.09
Shelter Point Artisanal Single Malt is one of the best whiskeys in Canada to take now.
This whiskey is produced entirely from malted barley, the most popular kind, and is distilled twice before being matured for at least three years in a small American oak barrel.
So what distinguishes Shelter Point’s whiskey? It provides delicate chocolatey mint scents blended with other sweet overtones, like caramel.
Additionally, its flavor profile presents us with a unique blend that starts with a vanilla taste and ends with a subtle grapefruit peel finish.
How to Serve and Enjoy Canadian Whiskey
While Canadian whiskey is known for its smooth and balanced flavor, how it is served and enjoyed can also significantly impact the overall experience.
Here are tips and suggestions for serving and enjoying Canadian whiskey to get the most out of each drink.
- Glassware: The type of glassware used to serve Canadian whiskey can significantly impact the overall experience. A tulip-shaped glass or a snifter is a good choice as it concentrates the aroma of the whiskey and allows for easy sipping.
- Temperature: Canadian whiskey can be served at room temperature or slightly chilled, depending on personal preference. For a more traditional experience, serve Canadian whiskey at room temperature. Chilling the whiskey can enhance its flavor and make it a more refreshing drink.
- Water and Ice: Adding a drop of water to Canadian whiskey can help open up the flavor and aroma, especially in stronger or older whiskeys. Ice can also be added, but be careful not to dilute the whiskey too much.
- Pairing: Canadian whiskey can also be enjoyed with food, and certain dishes can bring out the unique flavors and aromas of the whiskey. Try pairing Canadian whiskey with dark chocolate, cigar, or spicy foods for a satisfying and complementary combination.
FAQs
Whiskey produced in Canada is known as Canadian whiskey. In general, whiskeys in Canada are lighter and smoother than other whiskey varieties since they are multi-grain blends with a high proportion of maize spirits.
Canadians are renowned for producing fine whiskey. The prerequisites for Canadian whiskey are that it be made from a mash bill consisting of grains, be matured for three years there, and have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of at least 40%.
For each person of legal drinking age in Canada, the average number of standard drinks consumed each week is determined. Except for Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta, where the legal drinking age is 18, all provinces and territories have a 19-year-old minimum requirement.
Conclusion
The Canadian whiskey industry is thriving, and for a good reason.
With its diverse range of flavors, styles, and stories, there is a Canadian whiskey to suit every taste preference. The ten best whiskeys in Canada we’ve highlighted in this article are just a small representation of the available quality and variety.
Each brand has its unique character, reflecting the traditions, terroir, and passion of the distillers behind it.
So, whether you’re a whiskey lover or just looking to try something new, these brands are sure to impress. Next time you’re in the mood for a drink, remember that Canada has much to offer when it comes to whiskey. Cheers!
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