Canadian Whisky News
Read All About It in the New York Times
As sales of Canadian whisky in the vast American market continue to grow, America’s most respected and widely read newspaper is taking notice.
In an in-depth feature published in both the on-line and print editions, the New York Times, Clay Risen notes a 112 percent leap in the high-end premium category, telling America that Canadian whisky is in resurgence.
Chronicling the glory days after Prohibition and the slow decline of more recent years, the article notes that today, drinkers in the know are taking Canadian whisky seriously. Traditional distillers and new microdistilleries alike contribute to this resurgence.
Credit, in part, goes to Alberta-made ryes that both drive and feed the Rye Renaissance in the U.S. Moreover, these massive 100% ryes are finding their way into top bartenders high-end cocktails.
A Canadian whisky – Crown Royal – is the second-best-selling whisky in the United States, notes Risen. Only Jack Daniel’s manages to sell more.
To read the full story click here
You Could Be A Forty Creek Hero
Forty Creek Whisky is offering four whisky lovers from across Canada the chance for an all-expenses-paid visit to the distillery where they will help select this year’s Limited Release.
Canadian whisky fans need only visit Forty Creek’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/FortyCreekWhisky) and comment on why Forty Creek is their whisky of choice. Four fans from various parts of Canada (excluding Quebec) will be chosen at random and invited to the Forty Creek distillery to sample a range of new blends, then vote on which will be the 2018 Limited Edition. The contest closes March 4, 2018.
“We want to give Canadians from coast-to- coast an opportunity to represent their respective regions and select, what will ultimately be the first special release chosen by Forty Creek’s own fans.” says John Andersen, Senior Brand Manager.
Here is your chance to make Canadian whisky history. The winning blend will be available for reservation prior to Forty Creek’s annual Whisky Weekend, held each September at the Grimsby, Ontario distillery.
Winners
Canadian Whisky Awards
Whisky of the Year – JP Wiser’s 35
Distillery of the Year – Hiram Walker & Sons
The Verdict is in:
These are the Best Whiskies for 2018
Results of the 8th Annual Canadian Whisky Awards show great strength and broad diversity in the new crop of Canadian whiskies.
Whisky of the Year – Wiser’s 35
Distillery of the Year – Hiram Walker & Sons
Microdistillery of the year – Two Brewers
Award of Excellence Innovation – Lohin McKinnon Barley & Rye lightly peated
Award of Excellence Line Extension – Gibson’s Finest Bold
Award of Excellence – Best New Whisky – Forty Creek Heritage
Connoisseur Whisky of the Year – Domestic – Wiser’s 35
Connoisseur Whisky of the Year – Multi-market – Caribou Crossing
Sippin’ Whisky of the Year – Domestic – Collingwood Town Collection Double Barreled
Sippin’ Whisky of the Year – Export – Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel
Sippin’ Whisky of the Year – Multi-market – Masterson’s 10 yo
Value Whisky – Domestic – Highwood Rye
Value Whisky – Multi-market – Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
Value Whisky – Export – Canadian Mist
Flavoured Domestic – Ceili’s Irish Cream / Wiser’s Vanilla
Flavoured Multi-market – Crown Royal Vanilla
Lifetime Achievement – Vicky Miller – Black Velvet Distillery
Lifetime Achievement – Rick Murphy – Alberta Distillers Limited
Lifetime Achievement – Jim Stanski – Hiram Walker Distillery
Gold Medals
Canadian Club 40 year old
Caribou Crossing Single Barrel
Ceili’s Irish Cream
Collingwood Town Collection Double Barreled
Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
Crown Royal Vanilla
Crown Royal XO
Forty Creek Cream
Gooderham & Worts Four Grain
Last Mountain Cask Strength
Lot No 40
Lot No 40 Cask Strength 12 year old
Masterson’s 10 year old Rye
Two Brewers Peated single malt
Wiser’s 150th Commemerative
Wiser’s 35 year old
Wiser’s Dissertation
Wiser’s Last Barrels
Wiser’s Triple Barrel Rye
Wiser’s Union 52
Wiser’s Vanilla
And speaking of whisky books…
Early reports from bookstores and on-line sellers tell us sales are brisk for the newly updated Canadian Whisky: The New Portable Expert.
This new and revised edition now features a specially commissioned map showing every whisky distillery in Canada (nearly 50 of them!) More than 100 new tasting notes throughout are included in a birdwatchers’ checklist so you can tick them off as you sample them.
Coverage of Canada’s traditional distilleries and the burgeoning microdistillery sector, new chapters on whisky flavours, where they come from and how to taste them, along with numerous updates throughout make this the definitive, up-to-date source for the straight goods on Canadian whisky.
