The 2026 Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year is Macaloney’s Island Distillery Cath-nah-aven Single Malt Whisky

The ninth edition of national competition showcases the best artisan spirits from across Canada

Vancouver, BC (February 24, 2026) – Following their 2025 Canadian Whisky of the Year award, Macaloney’s Island Distillery has earned the top prize in the 2026 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC) for their Cath-nah-aven Single Malt Whisky, presented by Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC).

Judges noted this whisky brings “a beautiful, burnished copper appearance, leading to a nose suggesting Oloroso sherry, fruitcake, cocoa powder and candied almond, with a palate of toasted hazelnut, baking spice, toffee and fruitcake, all of which sail off into a long, smooth, caramel-tinged finish.”

The CASC judging panel was comprised of 14 independent judges who evaluated hundreds of artisan spirits, plus bitters, submitted by 56 producers from across Canada and entered into 24 different categories. The Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year is awarded to the top-scoring spirit, regardless of category.

“In spite of serious headwinds in this sector, I’m happy to see that there are still amazing spirits produced across Canada,” stated ADC’s founder and executive director, Alex Hamer. He continued, “Canadians who are interested in supporting their local communities and businesses can look to our artisan spirit producers for just about all their needs, including gins, rums, whiskies, and more. CASC continues to be a great place to find some of Canada’s best spirits.”

About Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC) and the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC)

Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC) operates consumer and industry-focused events and awards programs for Canada’s artisan distilleries and spirits sector. ADC’s goals are to support consumer awareness of artisan distilleries and spirits, to provide education and professional development through conferences focused on best practices in the science and business of distilling, and to foster community. For more information about ADC, visit artisandistillers.ca.

ADC launched the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC) in 2018. Spirits submitted to any of the 24 different CASC award categories are sampled blindly and evaluated by an independent panel of judges from across the country, with the top spirit in each category earning a Best in Class Award. Spirits are also awarded Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals, with the top overall scoring spirit being awarded Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year. CASC is open to any distillery in Canada that meets ADC’s ‘artisan’ classification for distilleries and spirit products. To learn more about Canadian artisan distilleries and spirits, visit artisandistillers.ca/artisan-distillery.