The Best Canadian Whiskies

Scotch and Bourbon whisky are the two most popular versions of the alcoholic beverage. But an underrated version of the drink is Canadian whisky. Canada is home to many whisky brands, which are popular all over the world. Canadian whisky is valued for its affordability, versatility, and smooth taste.

If you want to learn more about Canadian whisky, then you have come to the right place. This buying guide lists the best Canadian whisky for 2023 in various categories. But first, let’s take a look at something you should know and consider before you buy your bottle of Canadian whisky.

Requirements: The Canada Food and Drugs act has a list of requirements that distillers must meet in order for their product to be labeled Canadian whisky. They are:

• The whisky must be mashed, distilled, and aged in Canada.
• The whisky must be aged in a barrel for 3 years or more.
• The whisky must have an abv (alcohol by volume) of 40% or more.
• The whisky can contain caramel and flavouring. This is optional.

Age: Like other whiskies, the older the age of a Canadian whisky, the better it is. With an older whisky, you get more interesting flavours, aromas, and textures. So, if those characteristics are things you prioritize, then you should go with an older whisky. If not, then you go with a younger Canadian whisky. Its also worth noting that older Canadian whisky have a higher price.

Canadian Whisky Types

Unlike scotch whisky, Canadian whisky has very few types. People usually separate them into two categories: rye and blended. Rye whiskies tend to have a spicy taste, while blended whiskies generally have smoother flavour. However, even if a company claims their product is a rye whisky, it might actually be made from multiple grains. Therefore, it would be a blended whisky. This lack of distinct types means that Canadian whisky has a variable taste profile. The taste you get from one brand to another can differ greatly.

For this buying guide, our team spent over 8 hours researching various Canadian whiskies. We gathered information from whisky review sites and from posts made to whisky related pages on Reddit. These reviews and posts gave us details about the whisky’s aroma and taste profile. We only considered whiskies that were generally favoured by customers and reviewers. Lastly, our team tried to pick Canadian whiskies that would appeal to every type of whisky drinker, from the die-hard fans to the beginners.

What is Canadian whisky made from?

Almost all Canadian whisky is made from a blend of grains. This includes barley, corn, rye and wheat. There are some Canadian whiskies that are made from a single grain, like corn or rye whiskies.

How is Canadian whisky made?

Since Canadian whiskies only have four requirements to meet, distillers have much more freedom in the way they make their whisky. Therefore, it is hard to find a standardized approach to making Canadian whisky. However, there are some shared practices.

In general Canadian distilleries do not use a mash bill, which is a combination of grains used in whisky. Instead, each grain is fermented, distilled, and aged individually. After they mature, the grains are blended together. One exception to this Crown Royal, which uses a mash bill in their blending procedure.

In terms of distillation, Canadian whisky has two methods. The first is called base whisky. This method has the whisky distilled to a high alcohol content, which is then aged in previously used barrels. The second method is called flavouring whisky. These whiskies are distilled to a low alcohol content in column or pot stills. They are then aged in virgin oak, ex-bourbon barrels, or rye casks. After maturation, most distilleries combine the two methods together when blending the whisky.

With maturation, Canadian distilleries will age each grain separately. This gives the distillery the freedom to tailor a cask type to a specific grain. For example, rye aged in a lightly toasted barrel will retain its spicy and fruity flavour. Corn whisky matured in a charred barrel will develop a silky texture.

The last common practise is the 9.09% rule. This is a piece of legislation which states that whisky being exported as a blend can add up to 9.09% of non-whisky spirits into their product. This rule has caused uproar with some Canadian whisky fans. They fear distillers will put anything into the blend, which might ruin the taste. However, very few distillers use the 9.09% rule. And those who do use it to enhance their whisky. Furthermore, the rule states that that any whisky that has added spirits for flavouring must be aged for at least two years. This limits which alcohol distillers can add to their whisky. Bourbon and cognac can be added, but spirits like vodka or gin can not.

Where can I buy Canadian whisky?

Canadian whisky can be bought in liquor stores across Canada. You can also order for delivery or pickup; delivery may be restricted to the province the store is located in. For international customers, you can find Canadian whisky on some websites. For example, The Whisky Exchange sells Canadian Whisky to customers in the United Kingdom.

What is the difference between Canadian whisky and scotch and bourbon?

All three whiskies are closely related to each other, but they all have minor differences.

Bourbon is a type of whisky made in the United States. Unlike Canadian whisky, bourbon has more requirements it must meet. For example, it cannot exceed a proof rating of 80%, and it must be aged for at least 2 years. Lastly , bourbon is aged in oak barrels. In contrast, Canadian whisky must be aged at least 3 years in charred or un-charred barrels, plus distillers have more freedom when it comes to the proof. Another big difference between the two whiskies is the ingredients. On top of the usual ingredients, Canadian distillers can add other alcoholic spirits into their product. Bourbon has stricter regulations on what goes into the final mixture. In terms of flavour, Canadian whisky is more spicy, while bourbon tends have a mellower, softer taste.

Scotch whisky is made in Scotland, and it is arguably the most popular version of the drink. The requirements for scotch are that it must be primarily made of malted barley (other grains are optional), and it must be aged in oak barrels in Scotland for a minimum of 3 years. Additionally, only water and caramel color can be added to the mix. Like we mentioned earlier, the loose restriction for Canadian whisky means distillers have the freedom to experiment with various grain blends and additives. In terms of taste, scotch and Canadian whisky are quite similar. Blended scotch has the spicy texture associated with Canadian whisky. Single malt scotch has a more woody and smoky taste to it.

Sources used:

Distiller: Canadian Whisky 101

The Spruce Eats: The 9 best Canadian Whiskies to Drink in 2022.