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A KICK-ASS WHISKY REGION SINCE 1858

Since Hiram Walker purchased land on the shores of the Detroit River, Windsor, Ontario has been Whiskytown, Canada.

With over 50 million litres of distilled alcohol per year and 1.6 million barrels in storage within our region...

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Looking to taste The Windsor and other craft cocktails for yourself? Give these Whiskytown, Canada ambassadors a try for some of the finest cocktails in the region.

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From hands-on tours inside North America's largest distillery, to walking tours through the company town Canadian Club built, to cycling tours.

HOME TO NORTH AMERICA'S LARGEST DISTILLERY

There's a reason why Windsor is known as Whiskytown, Canada. It's not just because J.P. Wiser's runs North America's largest distillery here or that Canadian Club was founded here. It's because you're always surrounded by the impact that whisky had on this region.

To this day it, still activates all your senses. You can smell the drying grains from the distillery in every corner of the town.

FOODIE HEAVEN

When you're one of the most ethnically diverse and the southernmost city in Canada, the food scene is going to thrive.

THE BIRTHPLACE OF CANADIAN CLUB WHISKY

From hands-on tours inside North America's largest distillery, to walking tours through the company town Canadian Club built, to cycling tours and more.

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The festival, get your whisky on.

You can't be called Whiskytown without a festival dedicated to the golden nectar. See the festival the locals love for yourself.

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Foodie heaven.

With over a dozen breweries, 18 wineries and great farm-to-fork dining, Whiskytown, Canada is a food lovers paradise.

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Get hands on.

From distillery tours to nationally recognized walking tours, the experiences are endlessin Whiskytown, Canada.

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Whiskytown, canada is just 5 minutes south of downtown detroit..

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Canada Distillery Trail Map

Canadian distillers produce a variety of spirits like whisky, rum, vodka, gin, and liqueurs. Canada’s primary reputation is for the production of Canadian whisky, generally a high rye-flavored whisky. Similar to the way Bourbon is an exclusive product of the United States, Canadian Whiskey is an exclusive product of Canada. View a list of all Canadian Distilleries here .

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Hiram Walker Whisky Tour – The J.P. Wiser’s Experience

One of the best things to do in Windsor, Ontario, in my humble opinion is The J.P. Wiser’s Experience, also known as the Hiram Walker Whisky Tour. When I think back on memorable experiences, this is definitely one of them. Not only do you get to tour through the cooking, fermentation, and distillation areas, the tour concludes with a whisky sampling session. Definitely worth it! Read on to learn about the history of whisky in Canada and what we sampled at the end of the tour.

I was hosted by Visit Windsor Essex in November 2019 with my friend, Kasia from Kasia Writes to cover the Windsor International Film Festival and have a girl weekend getaway . Whisky was a big part of the fun!

Due to the current public health crisis, the J.P. Wiser’s Experience Centre remains closed to the public and tours are suspended for the time being.  For more information, please contact J.P. Wiser’s Experience Centre directly. Be sure to visit when it is safe to do so!

Who is J.P. Wiser and Hiram Walker?

John Philip (J.P.) Wiser owned and managed farms in Canada and the United States. In 1857, he bought a distillery in Prescott, Ontario and the following year, he started importing corn from the United States. During this time he was growing his own grains – rye, barley and wheat and experimenting with flavours. After profiting from the American Civil War, he used some of his proceeds to purchase bushels of grain, new malt houses, a rectifier column, a copper tank receiver and a cooperate. By the turn of the century, J.P. Wiser was exporting whisky all over the world and was the third-largest distillery behind Hiram Walker and Gooderham & Worts.

In 1838, Hiram Walker moved from Boston to Detroit to work in a grocery store. Working his way up, in 1846, he began to operate his own store and started wholesale grain trading with local farmers. Seeing an opportunity, sometime in the early 1850s, Hiram was buying moonshine and using it to make blended whiskies to sell in his store. He was so successful that in 1857, Hiram bought 468 acres of land across the river, in Windsor, Canada. On it, he built the Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery.

Canadian Whisky Barons

Other noted Whisky Barons in Canada are Gooderham and Worts and Henry Corby. In 1846, Gooderham and Worts singlehandedly changed the practice of distilling in Canada. Their double distillation method gave birth to a light, smooth whisky instead of the unbearably harsh moonshine. Their distillery is the famed, no longer in use distillery in Toronto’s Distillery District.

Henry Corby bought a flour mill on the Bay of Quinte in 1853. Four years later he began distilling the mill’s surplus grain in Corbyville just north of the city of Belleville, Ontario. Henry imported US corn for his light whiskey, but he also added his own homegrown rye to add flavour and his personal character.

Hiram Walker Distillery

At Hiram Walker, 80% of whisky made in Canada is made at this distillery. So bear with me, J.P. Wiser’s Whisky is made at Hiram Walker, I’m going to go through and tell you why. And J.P. Wiser’s is not the only brand made at Hiram Walker. They can not tell us what other brands are made there because some are the competition!

What Is Canadian Whisky? And Why Do We Call It Rye Whisky?

Canadian whisky is called rye whisky because long ago, rye was the predominant grain used in the mash. The first recorded whisky making in Canada is in 1769 at a distillery in Quebec City. By the 1830s, more than 250 distilleries were using surplus harvest grain to produce an oily, pungent moonshine.

Americans in the northeast referred to it as rye to distinguish it from American whiskeys like bourbon. (Note, Canadians spell it whisky – no “e”). Why rye? Rye is a very hardy grain that withstood the colder Canadian temperatures. Hence, Canadian Whisky came to be known as rye whisky.

In order to be called Canadian whisky, the rules and legal definition is pretty simple:

• It must be made with a cereal grain (by international law, this is true of all whiskies). In Canada, each grain – rye, wheat, corn or barley – is fermented, distilled and aged separately and then blended together in different ratios to create a wide variety of taste profiles. It can be any cereal grain, not just rye.
• The cereal mash, distillation and ageing must take place in Canada. So it’s a true “Made in Canada” product.
• It must be aged in wooden barrels, 700 litres maximum for a minimum of three years.
• It has to be a minimum of 40% ABV (alcohol by volume), also known as 80 proof.

Canadian ryes generally have a higher rye content, but there’s no law that says rye actually has to be used.  Confused yet? It’s not rye whisky if it isn’t made with rye. It’s just called Canadian whisky.

What is Bourbon?

Bourbon is American whiskey that is made primarily from corn. Corn must make up 51% of the mash. Bourbon sold in the United States must be produced in the U.S. and stored in a new container of charred oak.

For reference, American rye whiskey must have 51% rye in the mash bill. So, Canadians use a variety of different mash bills – that’s a combination of grains (rye, wheat, corn or barley) in different proportions and then blend them after maturation to create different flavour profiles and a pretty damn smooth product.

The Myth Of The Brown Vodka

A terrible perception of Canadian whisky or rye whisky I have heard is that it is essentially brown vodka. I would argue that Canadian whisky is actually quite tasty and nothing like vodka at all. The process of Canadian whiskies is much like whiskies from other countries.

Canadian whisky is known for its smoothness, has flavour notes of sweet vanilla, caramel toffee. Often there are tasting notes of honey and fruit. Different flavours are attributed to different ingredients in the mash.

Why is J.P. Wiser Whisky Made at Hiram Walker?

The American Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865. Most bourbon distillers in the U.S. were located in the south and that meant that their whisky could not be transported and sold in the north. So, Canadian farmers and distillers were needed to send whisky south of the border to satiate the thirst of the northern Americans. Whisky was also used by doctors and medics as a disinfectant for wounds. I’d be crying over spilling whisky on my legs!

BUT, following the Civil War and the First World War, in the United States was a long period of prohibition. Prohibition dealt a really heavy blow to the distilleries in the United States, the Canadian distilleries were no longer operating at full capacity and values dropped substantially, even with all the bootlegging that was happening. Not only was it illegal to sell bottles of alcohol, but the bars were also closed, rendering all sales of alcohol illegal.

Times were so bad, this allowed for one businessman, Harry Hatch, to buy four out of the five largest whisky distilleries in Canada: J.P. Wiser’s, Corby Distilleries, Hiram Walker & Sons and Gooderham & Worts. And Hatch did so within a ten year period. They were all sold for a basement bargain price. And this is the consolidation of the Canadian whisky industry.

Now, let’s get on with the Hiram Walker Whisky Tour! The J.P. Wiser’s Experience takes you backstage through the production facility. You get to experience the story of Canadian whisky – from its vibrant history to the craftsmanship and process behind making it.

We had a guide for the whisky tour group – obviously, they would not allow us to wander alone and unsupervised. All tour attendees have to be legal drinking age, which is 19 in the province of Ontario. In order to participate in the tour, participants are required to wear closed-toe shoes. The J.P. Wiser’s Experience is approximately 90 minutes long. Important to note – the whisky tour is not suitable for anyone with mobility, heart conditions or balance disorders. We climbed the stairs numerous times and there were some precarious walking paths on the plant floor.

I can’t give away too much of the behind the scenes information, because it’s on a need to know basis. As in, you will need to take the tour. I can explain the production process though.

Production Of Whisky

First in the process is milling and cooling. In the Hiram Walker Whisky Tour, you get to go onto the plant floor. The grains are milled to a fine flour to expose the key component, starch for the cooking process. J.P. Wiser’s sources all their grain from Canadian farmers. Each grain provides a different taste in the whisky. Corn gives a sweet creamy taste, barley provides a nutty flavour, rye leaves a cinnamon and clove spice character while wheat is the bread palette.

The flour gets transferred to a tank where it’s cooked to 75 degrees celsius, to break it down into simple sugars. As mentioned above, Canadian whisky makers are free to use any combination of grains in their blends. J.P. Wiser’s whisky is made with corn and rye. Goooderham & Worts with corn, rye, barley and wheat. Lot 40 is made with 100% rye.

Fermentation of Whisky

The J.P. Wiser’s experience next takes you to the fermentation area. The liquid called a mash is sugar-rich and is then moved to a fermentation tank. This is where yeast is added. The yeast consumes the sugar and transforms it into equal parts of alcohol and carbon dioxide. After three days, the fermentation creates a distiller’s beer that will reach an ABV of 14-16% for corn and 8-10% for rye, barley and wheat. This process creates five different flavours: fruity, floral, grassy, soap and sulphur.

On this Hiram Walked Whisky Tour, I did get to stick my finger into the mash, which was distilled corn. It wasn’t boiling hot as I expected, but in true “what am I thinking” fashion, I licked my fingers. It tasted awful. I seriously need to stop volunteering to do things first.

Distillation of Whisky

The next stop on the J.P. Wiser’s Experience is the distillation process. This is where liquids are separated based on their boiling points. Science lesson, if you have ever cooked with alcohol, you will have learned that alcohol boils at 78 degrees celsius and water will boil at 100 degrees celsius.

Distilling in a copper removes the sulphur smell and flavour. Canadian whisky distillers use different types of copper stills, depending on the grain they’re using and the flavour profile they’re looking for. J.P. Wiser’s whiskey starts with one pass through a tall copper, cylindrical beer still, which boils the distiller’s beer and turns it into a grain spirit.

From here, depending on the blend, they move on to one of the three possible steps:

• Put into a cask to mature so it can be used as a flavouring whisky for blending with a base whisky
• Distilled a second time in a column still to concentrate the alcohol to 94.5% ABV. This creates a light and refined spirit that can then mature to form a base whisky.
• Distilled a second time in a copper pot still  – for rye whisky. It’s a slower process that gives the distiller the ability to increase the concentration of the fruity, floral and grain notes while retaining the spicy qualities of the rye grain.

What’s your favourite way to drink whiskey?

How do you drink your whisky? Neat? With water? On The Rocks? With Ginger Ale? Other?

The Hiram Walker Whisky Tour concludes with a sampling session of some of the award-winning whiskies from the distillery. It was like years of sweet history in my mouth. We tasted J.P. Wiser’s Deluxe, J.P. Wiser’s 15-year-old, Lot 40 and Pike Creek. Lot 40 is the one I liked the best. Notice the glasses in the photo below – we sampled with a snifter. Not to be confused with a wine glass, a snifter has a narrow top that traps the aroma inside the glass. The rounded bottom allows the glass to be cupped in the hand. Body heat from the hand warms the whisky.

Prior to the J.P. Wiser’s Experience, also known as the Hiram Walker Whisky Tour, I completely lacked all appreciation for how to properly taste whiskey prior to this tour. It’s a true art!

kathrynanywhere

Award-winning television editor and travel writer. Bold. Brazen. Blunt. Thrill-seeker. Adrenaline junkie. Off-road 4×4 driver. Jeep Wrangler owner. Certified open water PADI diver. Waterfall chaser. Trailblazer. 2nd-degree blackbelt in Shotokan Karate. Mom of two. Toronto dweller. Country girl at heart. Happiest on snowshoes. Queen of ridiculous poses. Craft beer lover. Local wine connoisseur. Amateur mixologist. Married to John Krasinski in my dreams. Proud Canadian.

3 thoughts on “ Hiram Walker Whisky Tour – The J.P. Wiser’s Experience ”

This іs very interesting!

Love it! I so think about this every morning when I’m climbing the CN Tower! hahaha

You and me both!

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Canadian Club Brand Center

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Canadian Club Brand Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Canadian Club (Walkerville)

Canadian Club is the most successful Canadian Whisky brand regarding commercial results. It is sold in over 150 countries worldwide and an award-winning label, offering a wide range of different releases. Home of Canadian Club is Windsor, Ontario, where the distillery is situated on the banks of the Detroit River that serves as a frontier between Canada and the US.

Canadian Club is an exceptionally smooth and versatile Whisky. It is different to other Blended Whiskies because of its unique kind of blending: in contrast to other labels the blending doesn’t happen after but before maturation. For Canadian Club corn, rye, rye malt and barley malt are mashed, fermented and distilled separately and then these different spirits are blended before being filled into barrels. Hiram Walker, father of Canadian Club Whisky, considered this to be the best way to meet the requirements of the different grains and get the best aromas out of them. 

The corn distillate is the “base Whisky”, because the spirit is nearly odor- and tasteless. It makes up the majority in Canadian Club Whisky. Rye Whisky and Malt are used to bring character and flavor into the blend. 

Each of the different releases of Canadian Club is blended following its own unique recipe so that each one has its own unique taste. 

The most famous and best-selling release of Canadian Club is the 1858, which is produced the same way as it was done when Hiram Walker started in 1958. It is fresh and soft, brings up sweet vanilla and spicy aromas, paired with hints of rich oak. Bottled with 40% ABV (80 proof) it is an easy-to-drink Whisky.

Canadian Club Small Batch: This is a complex and fully balanced small batch Whisky, aged for 12 years, seasoned, char-treated oak Bourbon barrels. Creamy vanilla, honey, fruits and spicy notes complement each other in a delicate way.

Canadian Club Chairman’s Select 100% Rye: Produced from 100% single grain rye this premium Whisky has a very spicy character, balanced with caramel, oak and creamy notes. This is a Whisky with warm and complex aromas.

The Production

The Mashing and Fermentation

Mashing and fermentation of the different grains is done separately.

The Distillation

The continuous stills that produce the spirit for Canadian Club are provided with the beer that leaves the fermenters and still at this point in time the different grains are not mixed. The corn, rye and malt beer is distilled separately. Only before the spirit is to be filled into the casks it is blended following the old traditional recipes.

Canadian Club Whisky is matured in white oak American Bourbon barrels. That’s the reason for the nice and distinctive, but not pronounced oak flavor of the Canadian Club. The Angel’s Share (evaporation into air) is about 3% here. After three years and more of maturation the bottling of the Whisky is also done here at the Canadian Club Distillery.

The History

Hiram Walker was a very successful grain merchant in Detroit. He bought land on the other side of the Detroit River. There in Ontario he built a distillery and started production in 1858. When Walker began selling his Whisky throughout Canada and the US he was the first Whisky producer to label his bottles with his special brand. First it was called “Hiram Walker”, but as the Whisky got more and more famous in the gentlemen’s clubs it became known as “Club Whisky”.  American Bourbon producers were not very pleased about this Canadian competitor and this lobby induced the government to bring up a new regulation: Canadian Whisky had to be labeled with their origin so Hiram Walker’s Whisky became Canadian Club Whisky.

During the prohibition the Detroit River was a paradise for smugglers. It is told that probably 75% of all smuggled alcohol came in from Canada to the US here on the waterways. Canadian Club Whisky was the number 1 of the smuggled Whiskies. 

Today the Canadian Club Distillery belongs to Pernod Ricard, the Whisky label Canadian Club itself is hold by Beam Suntory.

Visitor Center

The Canadian Club Heritage Center in Ontario is the heart, the soul, the center and the historic memory of the company. It was completed in 1894 and the ground and buildings are a touristic attraction. The Offices of Hiram Walker and his sons are perfectly preserved in their old style, there is an art gallery and all the whiskies the company has released are displayed.

Tours are offered; you can have tastings here or even marry in this impressive ambience.

Tour Schedule:

April-December

Wed-Sat 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm

Sun 12pm, 2pm

Fr&Sat 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm

Tour per person $12/$10 (55+), No reservations

519.973.9503 ex 204 

Canadian Club Brand Centre – 2072 Riverside E, Windsor ON

User Notes about the Distillery

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Canada’s Hiram Walker Distillery Opens To Limited Public Tours

• by Nino Kilgore-Marchetti
• March 22, 2017

The Hiram Walker distillery in Windsor, Ontario, Canada is a massive spirits making complex ultimately owned by Pernod Ricard. It is said to produce a good majority of the Canadian whisky out there , and includes in its mix of products either under Pernod Ricard or produced for someone else Wiser’s, Canadian Club and Lot No. 40, among others. The facility has long been closed to most public access, but now a new partnership is set to throw open the doors in a more consumer friendly, but still somewhat limited, fashion as part of a walking tour.

WindsorEats, a local food tourism outfit, and Corby Spirits (Pernod Ricard’s Canadian arm) have apparently struck an agreement for a revamped “Drinks of Walkerville” walking tour which includes visiting the distillery in groups of no larger then 16 at any one time. Starting at the beginning of April for the first time in 16 years visitors will get a tour of Walker, and be offered a guided tasting of four Canadian whiskeys inside the the J.P. Wiser’s Brand Centre: Wiser’s Deluxe, Lot 40, Gooderham & Worts, and Pike Creek. Additionally, a special fifth tasting will happen directly from a whiskey barrel.

“Being able to visit the distillery will not only provide a new and unique experience on our existing tour, but also allows the chance to showcase the great culinary tourism offerings in Windsor,” said Adriano Ciotoli, co-owner of WindsorEats, in a prepared statement . “It gives an opportunity to passionate whisky lovers and those who are just curious at heart to get a hands-on look at how world class Canadian whisky is made.”

In addition to a visit to the distillery and tasting at the visitor’s center, other whiskey related aspects of this walking tour will include an engraved, commemorative Drinks of Walkerville bottle (750ml) of J.P. Wiser’s Deluxe Whisky; a stop to take photos in front of the “Whisky Palace”, the original Canadian Club headquarters, and a “stroll through Hiram Walker’s historic company town, Walkerville, to learn about the history, the architecture and the folklore associated with Whiskytown, Canada.”

To give you perspective on just how big Hiram Walker is, it is considered to be one of the the largest distilleries in North America. It boasts 37 fermenters, and the onsite “manufacturing process distills 180,000 litres of alcohol every 24 hours and operates 24 hours a day, five days a week to produce a variety of products including vodka, rum, and Canadian whisky. Fourteen maturing warehouses currently store 1.3 million barrels of spirits, which are blended and eventually bottled on four high-speed lines using one of the 50 available bottle molds.”

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Nino Kilgore-Marchetti is the founder of The Whiskey Wash, an award winning whiskey lifestyle website dedicated to informing and entertaining consumers about whisk(e)y on a global level. As a whisk(e)y journalist, expert and judge he has written about the subject extensively, been interviewed in various media outlets and provided tasting input on many whiskeys at competitions. He also maintains a large private collection of whiskey from which he continually educates his palate on this brown spirit type.

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The roots of Canadian whisky in Windsor, Canada

Whiskytown tours, on this page, take a tour through windsor’s whiskytown history.

For the best Canadian whisky, you have to start in Windsor. Neat, straight up, on the rocks or mixed into a classic cocktail, we love to enjoy a dram of whisky.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the storied history of distilling in the birthplace of Canadian whisky, Windsor, aka Whiskytown. And discover how to experience part of this rich past firsthand.

In 1858, nine years before Canadian Confederation, Detroit businessman Hiram Walker established the Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd. Distillery across the border in a neighbourhood of Windsor that would become Walkerville.

He employed an innovative distilling process using oak barrels to age and flavour the spirits (vs the traditional technique of running the liquor through charcoal) and demand was immediate. The smooth new whisky was distributed exclusively to various ‘gentlemen’s clubs’, hence the label Canadian Club. The hugely successful label stayed in the Walker family until 1926, when the brand merged with Gooderham & Worts, Ltd

Besides the enhanced flavour and quality, Canadian Club’s tremendous success was in part due to the Prohibition era in the US. During the roaring twenties, rum-running and bootlegging across the Detroit-Windsor border was a highly lucrative and totally illicit activity during America’s dry spell.

The streets and shores of Windsor and neighbouring towns along the Detroit River hold tales of intrigue as barrel after barrel of Canadian whisky was smuggled by boat or by ‘whisky sixes’, smaller six-cylinder-engine cars less likely to crack the ice in winter.

Rumor has it that mobster Al Capone himself was a ‘customer’ and he and his notorious Purple Gang was hosted by local rum-runner boss, Harry Low at his home. The recently restored Low Mansion is an architectural gem, just imagine how opulent it must have been back in the day to receive legendary Capone.

You needn’t be so clandestine to get your hands on premium Canadian craft whisky today. Whisky aficionados, history buffs and anyone who was obsessed with Mad Men or Boardwalk Empire, take note!

The Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery offers a 90-minute J.P.Wiser’s Experience public tour that walks you through the story of Canadian whisky, from its history to the craftsmanship and process behind making it, followed by a sampling session.

Or check out the various guided and self-guided tours along the Barrels, Bottles &Brews Trail to ten craft breweries and two distilleries in the area; Hiram Walker and newcomer Wolfhead Distillery , a small batch, ultra-premium producer of award-winning whiskies, as well as vodka and rye just outside Windsor in Amherstburg. The Rum Runners Tour is an engaging bus tour that takes the form of a travelling play with costumed performers.

Cheers to Windsor’s wonderful whisky history!  

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J.P. Wiser’s Experience Centre

In the late-1800’s, John Philip Wiser, or J.P. as he was fondly known, set out in Canada at a deliberate and steady pace to build a company that was known for its quality, craftsmanship, and premium products. So began a long tradition of Canadian whisky making. J.P. Wiser’s ambition was simple – to produce the highest quality whisky that pleased the eye, nose, and tongue. Using only superior ingredients, he aged his whisky to distinction in premium white oak barrels – and over 150 years later, J.P. Wiser’s whisky is still made using traditional recipes to ensure that the final product lives up to the standards set out by J.P. Wiser many generations ago. A perfectionist in all his undertaking, J.P. Wiser used only the finest ingredients and demanded the highest standards for his signature Canadian whisky. Continually improving and advancing the whisky-making method, he aimed to refine the process and set new standards. Many products of that day were glaringly impure and under-aged, but J.P. Wiser’s whiskies soon became known for being blended with exacting care and aged to perfection in white oak barrels.

As well as producing J.P. Wiser’s, Hiram Walker also produces some of the most awarded Canadian Whiskies in the world such as Lot 40 100% Rye, Pike Creek 10 Year Old and Gooderham and Worts Four Grain Blend.

You must be legal drinking age and have your ID with you.

The J.P. Wiser’s Experience Centre is currently not offering tours, and will not be for the 2024 season.

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The 13 Best Canadian Whiskies to Drink

Canada boasts some incredible whiskies with a style all its own.

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Liquors / Chloe Jeong

Canadians are known for making some good whisky (spelled there without the “e”). The defining characteristics of  Canadian whisky  are that it must be aged for three years in Canada from a mash bill recipe of grains and contain at least 40 percent ABV. Beyond that, distillers are free to experiment with different barrel types and recipes, and they can even add 9.09 percent of another spirit to the whisky (as long as it’s aged for two years in wood).

Canada is best known for two types of whisky: 100 percent rye and grain blends. The grains are individually fermented, distilled, and matured, then blended—a different manufacturing process than American whiskey. Canadian whiskies also have less strict distilling laws, so distillers tend to get creative with blends, ages, grains, barrelings, and cask finishes. 

With some of their most distinguishing features in mind, here are the best Canadian whiskies to drink now.

Best Overall

Forty creek confederation oak.

Region: Ontario | Grain: Rye, barley, corn | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Praline, honey, dark fruits

This is an excellent expression from the Grimsby, Ontario distillery. Confederation Oak was created to commemorate Canada’s 1867 Confederation. It’s a blended whisky that is finished for up to two years in new Canadian oak barrels, which the distillery says have a tighter grain because of the colder climate. Look for notes of praline, honey, and dark fruits on the palate. 

Best Budget

Canadian club 100% rye.

Courtesy of reservebar

Region: Alberta | Grain: Rye | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Spice, caramel, oak

Canadian Club is a well-known brand in the U.S., mostly for its extremely popular and affordable blended whisky. But this 100 percent rye whisky, which is aged in a few different barrel types, is a great example of Canadian rye and will usually cost around $20 a bottle. This is not the most intense rye whisky experience you'll find, but it’s certainly a good deal. Crafted by Alberta Distillers, this spirit has caramel and oak notes.

Read Next: The Best Whiskey Glasses, According to Experts

Best for Sipping

J.p. wiser’s 18 year old blended canadian whisky.

Region: Ontario | Grain: Blend | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Earth, smoke, rye

"This whisky stands out for its complexity in flavors, which is driven by the usage of the [bourbon] barrels [used for aging],” says Frederic Najem , the director of food and beverage at Loews Philadelphia Hotel. “It has an aroma of earth, smoke, and rye on the nose. This whisky is well balanced at a great price.” Perfect for sipping, this spirit is aged for 18 years.

Best Splurge

Lock stock & barrel lock stock & barrel 16 year.

Region: Pennsylvania via Alberta | Grain: 100% rye | ABV: 53.5% | Tasting Notes: Deep spice, cocoa, dried fruit

This 100 percent Canadian rye whisky is sourced and bottled by Cooper Spirits Company in the U.S. While it costs around $150 or more for a bottle, the whisky is well worth it. A deeply spicy background is tempered by notes of caramel, cocoa, and dried fruits after nearly 20 years of aging in American oak. Sip this on its own, or use it for a premium cocktail experience.

Lot 40 Canadian Rye Whisky

Region: Ontario | Grain: Canadian rye, malted rye | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Balanced sweetness, spice, fruit

There are many Canadian rye whiskies to choose from (some Canadians even refer to whisky, no matter what the mash bill is, as "rye"). But this expression from Lot No. 40, crafted at Hiram Walker Distillery, is one of the best. 

It’s made from a mash bill of 100 percent rye that is distilled in copper pot stills. There’s a nice balance of sweetness and spice on the palate, with a buttery mouthfeel and some notes of fruit and vanilla. Overall, this is a stellar example of  rye whisky  from the north.

Related: The Best Rye Whiskeys

Crown Royal Deluxe

Courtesy of Drizly

Region: Manitoba | Grain: Blend | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Oak, sweet vanilla

"There are definitely some good new Canadian whiskies on the market," says Nestor Marchand , the director of food and beverage at Plunge Beach Resort in Florida. “But when I think of Canadian whisky, I think of Crown Royal. It’s a nice upgrade that won't break the bank.”

Blended with 50 different whiskies aged in oak barrels, this spirit is extremely popular for a reason—it’s smooth, sweet, and can be used in many different cocktails.

Best Age Statement

Jp wiser's 15 year old.

Region: Ontario | Grain: Corn | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Dried fruit, green apple, toffee

This JP Wiser’s whisky is a bartender favorite. “It's a blend of mature grain whiskies with a hint of rye spice,” says  Pablo Guerrero , the food and beverage manager of Azabu Miami Beach. “After being aged for 15 years, we have a rich and smooth mix of flavors like dried fruits, toffee, spices, and a very small touch of green apple. There is no need to break the bank, as it is a good value whisky and a fantastic digestif to end a memorable dinner.”

Best Barrel Finish

Pike creek 10 year old rum barrel finished.

Region: Ontario | Grain: Rye | ABV: 42% | Tasting Notes: Banana, brown sugar, spice, dried fruit

From Corby Distilleries, Pike Creek's rye whisky undergoes some interesting barrel finishes after initial maturation. One of the best expressions is this 10-year-old blended whisky finished in rum barrels. This secondary maturation brings notes of banana and brown sugar to the mix of caramel, spice, and dried fruit flavors.

Best Single Barrel

Caribou crossing single barrel canadian whisky.

Region: Quebec | Grain: Corn, rye | ABV: 42% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, honey, spice

"Caribou Crossing, a Sazerac brand product, is pricier than your average Canadian whisky but worth every drop,” says Carlos Lopez , the bar manager of Stiltsville Fish Bar in Miami Beach.

What makes this whisky stand out is that it’s a single barrel release, meaning each bottle comes from one particular barrel instead of a blend of many casks. This also means that every bottle will taste slightly different, but overall, look for notes of vanilla, honey, and spice.

Best Canadian Grain

Gooderham & worts 49 wellington.

Region: Ontario | Grain: Unmalted rye, rye malt, barley malt, wheat, corn, and red winter wheat | ABV: 49% | Tasting Notes: Spice, honey, white pepper

Gooderham & Worts is one of the most historic distilleries in the country; James Wort and William Gooderham set up shop in 1831, initially as a milling company and later expanding to brewing and distilling. By the late 1800s, it was the largest producer of whisky in the world, primarily turning out whisky blends of corn, barley, wheat, and rye.

The 49 Wellington is a little piece of history, calling for unmalted rye, rye malt, barley malt, wheat, corn, and red fife wheat (the latter is one of Canada’s heritage grains). All is left to mature in red oak outfitted with red oak insets. The resulting dram is complex and loaded with a unique spice, balanced out by old oak, integrated tannins, and sweetness.

Best Non-Canadian Canadian Whisky

Whistlepig rye 10 year.

Region: Vermont | Grain: Rye | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Rich spice, warm wood

"My favorite Canadian Whisky is probably WhistlePig 10yr Rye Whiskey,” says  Thomas Moore , the senior beverage director at Aba Restaurants. “Even though it finishes aging and is bottled in Vermont, it arrives there from Canada and is one of my go-to whiskies.”

As brand lore has it, their stock of rye was found stored in a Canadian distillery. They rescued it and aged it in new American oak before bottling it. It’s complex, and honey-packed, with burnt orange and slight smoke. 

“It's bottled at 100 proof, so it doesn't disappear into the background when used in cocktails,” says Moore. “It has a great, rich spice character which is a flavor profile I'm always attracted to in whiskies.”

Pops Canadian Whisky

Region: Quebec via Texas | Grain: Corn, rye | ABV: 42% | Tasting Notes: Cereal, warmth, vanilla

This is another Canadian-ish bottle. The distillery was founded in 1943, South of the (Canadian) border, but still leans heavily on Canadian-made, 14-year-old ryes as the star of their blends.

It’s Canadian by birth certificate—rye is carefully made in Quebec before it’s brought down to Austin to blend with limestone-heavy Texas water and brought to 42 percent proof. No sugars, flavorings, or colorings are added.

Despite a large amount of rye, the addition of younger corn whiskies makes this a light, easy-sipping whisky well suited to a Manhattan. Expect subtler spice, balanced out with cereal and sweet vanilla notes. 

Related: 8 New Canadian Whiskies to Try Right Now

Gibson’s 12 Year Finest Canadian Whisky

Region: Quebec | Grain: Grain, rye, barley | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Marzipan, warm oak, confectionary

Gibson’s also began stateside—John Gibson founded it in Pennsylvania in the 1830s. It thrived until prohibition when the distillery was forced to shutter. Luckily for us, it was scooped up by a Canadian company and transplanted to Quebec.

Quebec-grown corn and grains take center stage in a range of age expressions. The 12-year-old is the flagship for the brand, leaning on notes of 18-year-old. It’s made by blending various finished expressions, generally higher-proof corn whiskey and lower-proof rye. It’s light and confectionary on the palate, rounded out with caramel, warm oak, and marzipan. 

Reach for this as an elevated alternative to your standard light, budget Canadian blends. (If you can get your hands on the oft-elusive 18-year-old, it’s also a real treat!)

Final Verdict

J.P. Wiser’s ( view at Wine.com ) sets the gold standard for thoughtful, sip-worthy Canadian whisky blends. If you’re looking for a truly Canadian expression of high-rye whisky, test out Canadian Club ( view at Reserve Bar ) or Lot 40’s Rye offerings ( view at Drizly ). 

Is the quality of Canadian whisky as good as others?

Yes! The country is the perfect environment for growing whisky grains, and Canadian whiskies frequently earn top billing at international whisky competitions. That said, most of the best bottlings (think Gibson’s 18-year-old and craft distillery single malts) aren’t distributed outside of the country—making a strong case for a Canadian whisky tour. 

What's the best way to drink Canadian whisky?

It depends on what style of whisky you’re sipping. Blends with a lower age statement are excellent in cocktails, like a  highball  or a  citrus-driven cocktail . 100 percent rye or higher-proof whiskies shine in  spirit-forward cocktails —they add a big spicy backbone. Try sipping any older age statement whiskies neat.

Why Trust Liquor.com?

Jonah Flicker  is an experienced writer who has been covering spirits and traveling the world visiting distilleries for many years. His work has appeared in many different national outlets covering trends, new releases, and the stories and innovators behind the spirits.

Kate Dingwall  is a seasoned sommelier, spirits expert, writer, and Canadian. She frequently writes Canadian whisky columns for whiskey publications like Whiskey Wash and loves to preach the gospel of Canadian heritage grains (though she’s a sucker for a great Tennessee whiskey). 

Read Next: The Best Cheap Whiskeys to Drink in 2023

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Nestled on the edge of Lake Winnipeg, Crown Royal’s distillery in Gimli, Manitoba, is home to 1.5 million barrels of delicious whisky that sit patiently waiting to be shared with the world. One of Manitoba’s natural beauties, the town of Gimli hugs the western shoreline of one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes, with sandy beaches, an active harbor and the largest Icelandic population outside of Iceland.

Our property stretches over 360 scenic acres with 51 warehouses (which house more barrels of whisky than there are people in Manitoba) and one stillhouse (which serves as a landmark from the lake so fisherman can return safely to harbor). The distillery employs roughly 76 people who distill, mature, blend and run Crown Royal’s 24 hours a day, 7 days a week operation – oftentimes following in the footsteps of generations of family members who made Crown Royal before them. They’re passionate in the craft of whisky-making and they’re proud to share the smoothest, finest Canadian whisky adorers have come to know and love since 1939.

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Black Tomato and Crown Royal Created an Exclusive Canadian Whisky Tour

Travel and whisky go hand-in-hand, so it’s only natural for the travel company, Black Tomato to team up with Crown Royal and create an epic once-in-a-lifetime journey across Canada.

To celebrate the partnership and launch of Canada, by Crown Royal, Black Tomato has released a video series that documents co-founder Tom Marchant’s journey across Canada from Gimli, Manitoba–home of Crown Royal Whiskey–to Vancouver, BC. His journey retraces the steps that King George VI and Queen Elizabeth took on their 1939 tour across the continent by rail. This was also the same tour the Royals were gifted the first ever bottle of Crown Royal.

It’s no coincidence that this unique itinerary was developed for this year. 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of Canada, and what better way to celebrate than with a journey across the beautiful continent.

Here are a few highlights of the trip:

• A private helicopter ride from Winnipeg to Gimli, Manitoba for an exclusive hard-hat tour of the Crown Royal distillery. (Special access is granted only to Black Tomato guests.)
• Private whisky tastings straight from the barrel in the Crown Royal warehouses, curated exclusively for Black Tomato guests.
• A trip on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer railway, which weaves through the stunning mountains of Alberta and British Columbia in true luxury.
• An adventurous heli-hike to Alberta’s Rockies.
• The opportunity to receive a beautiful, customized bottle of Crown Royal whisky.

Learn more about the adventure on Black Tomato .

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Crown Royal Expands Horizons With New Single Malt Canadian Whisky Expression

Award-winning Canadian whisky brand, Crown Royal, is proud to continue their legacy of innovation with the release of Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky . This is the brand’s first venture into the single malt market, and the liquid offers a unique experience to whisky connoisseurs and adventure-seekers alike. Its welcoming taste and smooth finish are hallmarks of Crown Royal, offering a premium experience for consumers, no matter where they find themselves in their whisky journey.

Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky pays homage to the brand’s Canadian roots by being distilled at its iconic Valleyfield Distillery, the premier French-speaking whisky distillery in North America. Crafted from 100% malted barley grains and distilled in copper, the whisky is ‘cut from the cold’, using Canada’s cool climate and topography to distill the whisky delicately. This process gives the whisky an even smoother and inviting taste to be enjoyed by both newcomers to the world of elevated whisky and connoisseurs alike.

When consumers try the liquid, they’re first greeted by aromas of creamy vanilla and fruity banana, which give way to flavors of caramel, apple and baking spices, finishing with lingering hints of spice and warm cinnamon. Whisky lovers attending Bar Convent in Brooklyn, NY on June 11th and 12th are invited to sample Crown Royal newest innovation at booth #8B-832.

“We’re proud to continue our tradition and legacy of trailblazing with the newest addition to our portfolio, Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky. As a leader in whisky, we’re shaking up the category with this new innovation – defined by our signature smoothness and unique, Canadian origin,” shared Jesse Damashek, Senior Vice President North American Whiskeys at Diageo .“Our take on this single malt is truly distinct, every piece of it tells a story – from its  origin and distillation process to its stunning packaging design. Cut from the Canadian cold, this Single Malt offers our consumers a whisky that can be enjoyed on any occasion.”

On Friday, June 7 at 10 AM ET Crown Royal will unveil a one-of-a-kind ice sculpture installation at Lower Manhattan’s Brookfield Place (230 Vesey St, New York, NY), to celebrate the launch. The ice sculpture will slowly melt over 24 hours to reveal the beautiful Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky bottle. The pop-up ice sculpture is a nod to the icy landscapes paying homage to the home where the liquid is crafted.

Consumers 21+ who visit the pop-up installation on June 7 will also receive a ticket to attend the Crown Royal Cocktail Tour, an experience hosted by Crown Royal across several participating local hangouts, including Liberty Bistro (255 Liberty St.), Monk McGinn’s (57 Murray St.) and Broadstone (88 Broad St.), where they’ll enjoy Crown Royal cocktails and a chance to take home exclusive brand merch.

Crown Royal Single Malt has an ABV of 45% and is available nationwide with a suggested retail price of $54.99 available in-store and through your favorite online retailers. Be sure to check out @crownroyal on Instagram for the latest updates, and please drink responsibly.

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Crown Royal Is Launching Its First Single Malt Canadian Whisky With An Icy Pop-Up In NYC

Crown Royal is unveiling its first-ever Single Malt Canadian Whisky at a mesmerizing sculptural pop-up installation in Lower Manhattan on June 7-8.

Whisky lovers and New Yorkers are in for a treat, because Crown Royal is introducing its first-ever Single Malt Canadian Whisky right here in NYC. The iconic brand will mark its historic venture into the Single Malt space with a pop-up installation at Lower Manhattan’s Brookfield Place (230 Vesey St., New York, NY), kicking off at 10 A.M. on June 7 for 24 hours only .

At the centerpiece of this celebration is a spectacular ice sculpture that pays homage to the brand’s Canadian origins and the cold climate which defines this distinct flavor – this whisky is “cut from the cold.” Over the course of 24 hours, the ice sculpture will melt slowly to reveal the dazzling Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky bottle, offering guests a visual representation of the whisky’s journey from icy landscapes to the smooth inviting tastes which characterize it. 

For one day only, explorers over 21 years of age who stop by the pop-up installation will receive a ticket to join the Crown Royal Cocktail Tour , an experience hosted by Crown Royal at various participating locations – including Liberty Bistro (255 Liberty St.), Monk McGinn’s (57 Murray St.) and Broadstone (88 Broad St.). Consider it an invitation to continue your whisky journey beyond the visual spectacle at Brookfield Place with Crown Royal cocktails and the chance to take home exclusive brand merch ! Offers only available to be redeemed in person on June 7th 3-9pm.

But for those who can’t attend the icy pop-up, Crown Royal is also showcasing the new Single Malt Canadian Whisky at this year’s Bar Convent in Brooklyn. On June 11 and 12 , attendees can sample the whisky in an interactive setting, offering yet another unique and  immersive experience. For more information on how to purchase Bar Convent tickets, v isit here .

Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky is now available nationwide, so be sure to grab a bottle in-store o r online  to enjoy at home!

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Crown royal expands horizons with new single malt canadian whisky expression.

Distilled Delicately in Canada's Cool Climate, Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky is 'Cut from the Cold'

NEW YORK , June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning Canadian whisky brand, Crown Royal, is proud to continue their legacy of innovation with the release of Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky . This is the brand's first venture into the single malt market, and the liquid offers a unique experience to whisky connoisseurs and adventure-seekers alike. Its welcoming taste and smooth finish are hallmarks of Crown Royal, offering a premium experience for consumers, no matter where they find themselves in their whisky journey.

Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky pays homage to the brand's Canadian roots by being distilled at its iconic Valleyfield Distillery, the premier French-speaking whisky distillery in North America . Crafted from 100% malted barley grains and distilled in copper, the whisky is 'cut from the cold', using Canada's cool climate and topography to distill the whisky delicately. This process gives the whisky an even smoother and inviting taste to be enjoyed by both newcomers to the world of elevated whisky and connoisseurs alike.

When consumers try the liquid, they're first greeted by aromas of creamy vanilla and fruity banana, which give way to flavors of caramel, apple and baking spices, finishing with lingering hints of spice and warm cinnamon. Whisky lovers attending Bar Convent in Brooklyn, NY on June 11 th and 12 th are invited to sample Crown Royal newest innovation at booth #8B-832.

"We're proud to continue our tradition and legacy of trailblazing with the newest addition to our portfolio, Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky. As a leader in whisky, we're shaking up the category with this new innovation – defined by our signature smoothness and unique, Canadian origin," shared Jesse Damashek , Senior Vice President North American Whiskeys at Diageo ."Our take on this single malt is truly distinct, every piece of it tells a story – from its  origin and distillation process to its stunning packaging design. Cut from the Canadian cold, this Single Malt offers our consumers a whisky that can be enjoyed on any occasion."

On Friday, June 7 at 10 AM ET Crown Royal will unveil a one-of-a-kind ice sculpture installation at Lower Manhattan's Brookfield Place (230 Vesey St, New York, NY ), to celebrate the launch. The ice sculpture will slowly melt over 24 hours to reveal the beautiful Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky bottle. The pop-up ice sculpture is a nod to the icy landscapes paying homage to the home where the liquid is crafted.

Consumers 21+ who visit the pop-up installation on June 7 will also receive a ticket to attend the Crown Royal Cocktail Tour, an experience hosted by Crown Royal across several participating local hangouts, including Liberty Bistro (255 Liberty St.), Monk McGinn's (57 Murray St.) and Broadstone (88 Broad St.), where they'll enjoy Crown Royal cocktails and a chance to take home exclusive brand merch.

Crown Royal Single Malt has an ABV of 45% and is available nationwide with a suggested retail price of $54.99 available in-store and through your favorite online retailers. Be sure to check out @crownroyal on Instagram for the latest updates, and please drink responsibly.

About Crown Royal Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is the number-one selling Canadian whisky brand in the world and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal's smooth and elegant flavor was an exceptionally generous gift fit for royalty. Its gift-worthy presentation reflects its regal origins – it is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information, visit crownroyal.com. Crown Royal encourages all consumers to please enjoy responsibly.

About Diageo North America Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker , Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit  www.diageo.com . Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource,  www.DRINKiQ.com , for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

Media Contact Jazmine Settles , Diageo [email protected]

Taylor [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crown-royal-expands-horizons-with-new-single-malt-canadian-whisky-expression-302162618.html

SOURCE Crown Royal

‘Crafted in the Canadian Cold’: Crown Royal Bucks Expectations With Inaugural Single Malt Whisky

"We're proud to continue our tradition and legacy of trailblazing with the newest addition to our portfolio, Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Whisky. As a leader in whisky, we're shaking up the category with this new innovation – defined by our signature smoothness and unique, Canadian origin," Jesse Damashek, senior vice president North American Whiskeys at Diageo, said in a news release. "Our take on this single malt is truly distinct, every piece of it tells a story – from its origin and distillation process to its stunning packaging design. Cut from the Canadian cold, this Single Malt offers our consumers a whisky that can be enjoyed on any occasion."

Crown Royal Single Malt Tasting Notes, Via the Brand

The Spirits Business

Crown royal ventures into single malt.

Diageo-owned Crown Royal, primarily known for its blends and flavours, is entering the single malt category.

With the slogan ‘Cut from the Cold’, Crown Royal’s first single malt whisky is distilled at Valleyfield Distillery. The expression embraces Canada’s cold climate and Crown Royal’s commitment to innovation.

“As a leader in whisky, we’re shaking up the category with this innovation – defined by our signature smoothness and unique Canadian origin,” said Jesse Damashek, senior vice president of North American whiskeys at Diageo.

“Our take on this single malt is truly distinct. Every piece of it tells a story – from its origin and distillation process to its stunning packaging design. Cut from the Canadian cold, this single malt offers our consumers a whisky that can be enjoyed on any occasion.”

Crown Royal Single Malt is bottled at 45% ABV and priced at US$55. It has aromas of creamy vanilla on the nose and caramel, apple, and baking spice on the palate.

Crown Royal will hold a pop-up on 7 June at 10 am EST at Manhattan’s Brookfield Place to celebrate the whisky. There, an ice sculpture will melt over 24 hours to reveal a bottle of Crown Royal Single Malt. Consumers who visit the pop-up will receive a ticket to attend the Crown Royal Cocktail Tour, which visits local spots including Liberty Bistro, Monk McGinn’s, and Broadstone.

Those who attend this month’s Bar Convent Brooklyn will also be able to sample the new whisky alongside other brand innovations. In April, The Spirits Business spoke to Damashek about Crown Royal Blackberry and how the company generates new ideas and expressions.

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