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The Best Whisky in Canada
Don't know which whisky brand to buy? Use our guide to buy from the best whisky brands available in Canada.
About Whiskies
Whisky is a broad category, as whiskies are made differently all over the world.
Although, almost all whiskies have two things in common:
(1) All whiskies are made with cereal grains, consisting of rye, barley, wheat, and corn; (2) Most whiskies are aged for a minimum of three years.
Whiskies aged six years or longer are smooth enough to sip, whereas younger 3-4 year old whiskies are more commonly mixed to combat the harsher ethanol burns.
Lot 40
- Owned by the Pernod Ricard Drink Industry
- 750ml at $44.99 CAD
- Country of Origin: Canada
What makes Lot 40 special?
Lot 40 is the standard that all Canadian rye whiskies should be held to. It was an old recipe that disappeared from 1990, but thankfully in 2012, the whisky went back into production. It’s a 100% rye whisky, produced in a single batch pot-still, that has the perfect bite when used as the base in Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, and Whisky Sours.
The Hiram Walker Distillery
Located in Windsor, the Hiram Walker is has been running for more than 160 years, producing some of the finest whiskies that Canada has to offer. They’ve more recently been awarded Distillery of the Year, four times in a row. Now owned by Corby, Pernod Ricard’s affiliate company in Canada, the distillery has a wider reach in sharing beautifully made Canadian products on the global market.
Notes:
- 100% rye pot distilled and aged in new oak barrels
- Notes of dark fruits, baking spices, and english toffee
- 43% ABV. (86 proof)
Buffalo Trace
- Owned by Sazerac Co.
- 750ml at $44.99 CAD
- Country of Origin: United States
What makes Buffalo Trace special?
Buffalo Trace consists of 6-8 year old whiskies produced at what many people consider to be the top bourbon distillery in Kentucky, which is the world, so far as bourbon is concerned. It’s sold for an incredibly fair price, and is the benchmark for what a bourbon should taste like. Finding a better bourbon could easily cost you an additional $40-60.
Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Kentucky-Straight Bourbon has a strict rule set as nothing can be added to the whisky in terms of colour or flavour. All bourbons must contain a minimum of 51% corn, and the rest of the grain-make-up is up to the distillery. Otherwise, the only key difference between bourbons is the amount of time spent in oak. Obviously, the older the better, but 6-8 years for $44 seems pretty reasonable to us.
Notes:
- Golden amber colour
- Floral, caramel, vanilla and citrus aromas
- Caramel and spice flavours
- 45% ABV. (90 proof)
Woodford Reserve
- Owned by Brown Forman Spirits
- 750ml at $51.99 CAD
- Country of Origin: United States
What makes Woodford Reserve special?
Woodford reserve is an 6-7 year old blend consisting of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley, making it a complex bourbon that’s smooth enough to sip, and complex enough to stand up in spirit forward cocktails. It’s a bit more expensive than Buffalo Trace despite being similarly aged.
The Woodford Reserve Distillery
The distillery has been masterfully producing whiskies since 1812. They have a wide range of products consisting of both bourbon and rye, and even some rare double oaked whiskies that undergo two separate ageing processes.
Notes:
- The official bourbon of the kentucky derby
- Aromas of sweet vanilla, apricot, caramel and spice
- 45.2% ABV. (90.4 proof)
- Bourbon is often consumed neat or on the rocks, as being distilled from corn, it’s a naturally sweet whisky
Weller 12
- Owned by Sazerac
- 750ml at $85.99 CAD
- Country of Origin: United States
What makes Weller 12 special?
Many many things make Weller 12 an exceptional whisky. Starting with the fact that it’s aged 12 years. Second, it’s the first wheated bourbon. It’s a rare whisky to find in Canada, and doesn’t show up in liquor stores often. In Vancouver, the 515 Bar keeps it stocked if you want to discover what makes it so special for yourself.
Wheated Bourbon
All bourbons must contain 51% corn, but the other 49% is up to the distiller. Most bourbons carry closer to 70% corn, finishing the other 30% with a combination of rye and barley. Wheated bourbons finish the mash bill with wheat, which imparts soft, subtle flavours unique to this style.
Oban 14
- Owned by the United Distillers Group
- 750ml at $149.99 CAD
- Country of Origin: United States
What makes Oban 14 special?
The Oban 14 has been produced the same way since the distillery was founded in the small fishing town of Oban back in 1794. The 14 year old expression has been a staple release of the whisky makers since the early 1800s. The spirit has been matured in ex-bourbon refill American oak hogshead casks and is captured at 43% ABV.
What Makes Scotch Smoky?
Peat, small clumps of decayed biomatter, are used as the fuel source to distill scotch, imparting strong smoky flavours that give scotch that smoky afterbite. Not all scotches are heavily peated. Most coming from the Islay island are, whereas most scotches from the Highlands, such as The Macallan, are significantly less peated.
Notes:
- Subtle aromas of orange zest, honey, cinnamon and cereal
- Flavours repeat with a sweet vanilla element and a hint of smoke on the finish
- 40% ABV. (80 proof)
Hibiki Harmony
- Owned by Suntory Global
- 750ml at $161.99 CAD
- Country of Origin: Japan
What makes Hibiki Harmony special?
Hibiki Harmony is a delicate blend consisting of some of the finest whiskies produced in Japan, including The Hakushu, Yamazaki 12, and Chita. These three whiskies are remarkably different from each other, creating a unique blend that’s smooth with a slightly smoky aftertaste.
The Rise in Popularity of Japanese Whisky
Japanese whisky has been surging in popularity, and with that, certain brands have opted for loop holes to create their products faster and cheaper. On April 1st of 2024, the rules around what constitutes Japanese Whisky were updated, and many popular brands had to remove Japanese Whisky from their label as they failed to meet the new standards. Hibiki Harmony wasn’t one of those whiskies and remains authentically Japanese.
Notes:
- This layered whisky pours bright amber and has notes of citrus, honey, lychee, rosemary and oak
- Full bodied and fruity with a long finish
The Hakushu
- Owned by Suntory Global
- 750ml at $199.99 CAD
- Country of Origin: Japan
What makes The Hakushu special?
The Hakushu is a gently smoked whisky, imparting similar characteristics to scotch. The whisky spends its 12 years in split between American Oak and Sherry casks, imparting the best of both worlds into the finished product that sips clean with subtle herbaceous undertones.
Roasted Malts
Most Japanese Whiskies and Scotches use malted barley as the base to their whiskies, but The Hakushu uses 100% roasted malts, imparting heavier biscuit and caramel flavours.
The Yamazaki 12 Year
- Owned by the Yamazaki Distillery
- 750ml at $240 CAD
- Country of Origin: Japan
What makes The Yamazaki 12 special?
The Yamazaki 12 was the first whisky to showcase what Japan was capable of in terms of whisky production. Many consider Japanese whisky to be the golden standard of what a whisky should taste like. This 12-year old aged malt showcases strong flavours of cinnamon, peach, cloves, vanilla, and mizunara (japanese oak).
The First Whisky Distillery in Japan
The Yamazaki distillery was established in 1923 by Matasaka Taketsuru, and Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory Global. It has remained the most respected distillery in Japan and produces the finest whiskies that the country has to offer. The Yamazaki line ranging from 12yr, 18yr, and 25yr are perfect examples of that.
Notes:
- Founded as the first whisky distillery in Japan in 1923 by Masataka Taketsuru and Shinjiro Torii
- Made with a similar production style to single malt scotches
- The Yamazaki 55-Year sells for $934,196
- The oldest and most prestigious distillery in Japan
Evan Williams
- Owned by Heaven Hill
- 750ml at $29.99 CAD
- Country of Origin: United States
Light oak mixed with cinnamon and spice notes.
Tastes of honey, caramel, vanilla, dried apricot, rye, and corn.
43% ABV. (86 proof)
Notes:
- Aged 4 years, 2 years past the minimum for Bourbon
- Exceptional for the pric
Basil Hayden
- Owned by Suntory Global
- 750ml at $59.99 CAD
- Country of Origin: United States
Light Bodied oak flavour.
This rye heavy bourbon carries a buttery flavour and has a smooth, tannic finish.
45% ABV. (90 proof)
Notes:
- 62% Corn. 28% Rye
- Aged 8 years
Suntory TOKI
- Owned by Suntory Global
- 750ml at $61.99 CAD
Aged in Japanese oak.
Notes of basil, green apple, honey.
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