Canadian Whisky

Discover Canadian whiskies selected by chefs and sommeliers of Michelin-starred restaurants. A selection made by credible and legitimate professionals to help you find your favorite Canadian whisky.

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Best Canadian whiskies

With Bestwine • Online, the directory of the best Canadian whiskies:

Taste one of the finest Canadian whiskies. Gift an exceptional bottle of Canadian whisky. Enrich your bar or cellar with a prestigious Canadian whisky bottle. Find restaurants where you can taste rare Canadian whisky references. Learn all about Canadian whisky and its specificities to easily choose your brand or bottle of Canadian whisky.

Whisky origin: Canada - Ontario

Whisky origin: Canada

Whisky origin: Canada

Best Canadian whisky brands

Refer to the opinions of chefs, sommeliers and bartenders of Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide to discover the best Canadian whisky brands. A ranking and comparison of the most valued Canadian whisky brands and bottles within Michelin-starred restaurants by high gastronomy experts.

Canadian whisky brand | Origin | Type | Alcohol volume | Restaurant

The best Canadian whiskies featured on the menus of Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants.

Canadian whisky is the generic name for a range of spirits produced by distilling malted or unmalted grains. Whisky is said to be of Scottish or Irish origin according to legend. The origins of whisky vary depending on the sources. Whisky was then exported to the New World, notably to the United States and Canada. It was Scottish and Irish emigrants who produced the first whiskies on Canadian soil. Historically, the first traces of whisky in Canada date back to the early 1800s. The history of Canadian whisky thus spans more than 200 years of craftsmanship. Today, Canadian whisky is one of the whiskies with a protected geographical designation that gives it a worldwide reputation. Just like Scotch, American bourbon, Irish or Japanese whiskies for example.

Canadian whisky is regularly awarded. Canadian whisky is sometimes distinguished as the best whisky in the world by whisky experts or media outlets. However, these distinctions should be taken with caution since not all Canadian whiskies are equal. Also, each person may prefer one Canadian whisky over another depending on taste.

To be called Canadian whisky, it must be produced on Canadian soil and aged in casks for a minimum of 3 years. The wooden casks used to store the whisky may be made from maple (whose leaf is the emblem of the Canadian flag), oak or cherry wood. Canadian whisky is a designation protected by Canadian legislation. Legally, a bottle labeled as "Canadian whisky" must imperatively come from Canada. In Canada, whisky is the only alcoholic beverage with a protected designation produced on the territory. Canadian whisky with a designation can only be produced from grains.

Canadian whiskies historically have the particularity of being produced mainly from rye. This rye grain composition earned Canadian whisky the common name of rye whisky. The term "rye" being the English translation of "seigle". Over time, Canadian whisky has evolved and is now most often produced from blends. Canadian whisky is traditionally classified in the blends category.

Of course, it is possible to find many other varieties of Canadian whiskies such as bourbon or single malt. Today, Canadian whisky is produced as much from rye as from corn, of which the Canadian agricultural world is a major producer.

Technically, Canadian whisky is made in column stills following the fermentation of the grains. The still distills the liquid obtained from grain maceration to amplify its alcohol content and concentrate its aromas. Following the distillation step, the whisky is aged in casks.

Among Canadian whiskies, there are also some references that incorporate maple syrup into their ingredients. Maple syrup being a typical ingredient of Canada. Maple syrup whisky is therefore a made-in-Canada alcoholic beverage because of this symbol. Maple syrup whisky stands out with notable sweetness due to its sugar content despite an alcohol content equal to a classic whisky. Maple syrup whisky creams are also very popular in Canada and worldwide. These whisky creams stand out with caramel and coffee aromas and a certain smoothness.

The consumption of Canadian whisky

Canada is the third largest whisky-producing country in the world, behind Scotland and Japan. The United States and Canada, however, produce similar quantities of whisky.

Although Canadians enjoy whisky produced on their lands, Canadian whisky is mainly exported. It is estimated that 80% of whisky production in Canada is exported beyond Canadian borders. Canadian whisky is consumed all over the world. The United States is the largest buyer of Canadian whisky. It is therefore in North America that Canadian whisky is most consumed. The history of Canadian whisky in the United States took a turn during alcohol prohibition starting in 1915. The import of Canadian whisky into American territory increased with smuggling.

In Canada, whisky is today the second most consumed distilled alcoholic beverage behind vodka. It was during the 2000s that vodka overtook whisky in terms of sales.

Canadian whisky is considered a premium spirit especially when produced by artisanal methods. In the United States, sales of artisanal Canadian whisky increased by 10€ between 2015 and 2020. The rise in popularity of Canadian whisky among Americans is especially visible in premium Canadian whiskies with a 70% increase in sales.

Canadian whisky is primarily tasted as an aperitif. It can also be enjoyed as a digestif. In taste, each Canadian whisky has its characteristics. It is therefore not possible to distinguish a Canadian whisky from a whisky of another nationality simply by taste. However, Canadian whiskies are blend-based whiskies. This grain presence gives many Canadian whiskies a common base. Canadian whisky is traditionally consumed in narrow-necked whisky glasses to concentrate the aromatic notes.

There is no vintage of Canadian whisky as such. So few Canadian whisky references are offered by production date. However, Canadian whiskies like other whiskies can be distinguished by their age or maturation period. Logically, the oldest Canadian whiskies are often the most flavorful references. The price of a good Canadian whisky also varies from one brand to another. On average, a good bottle of Canadian whisky costs around 50€. Of course, a Canadian whisky bought in Canada will logically cost you less. An aged Canadian whisky will cost more than a young whisky.

Many chefs, sommeliers and bartenders of fine dining restaurants enjoy Canadian whisky. Canadian whisky brands are often present on the wine lists of Michelin-starred restaurants. The finest addresses of high gastronomy in Canada but also in other countries around the world suggest Canadian whiskies to their clientele. Canadian whisky is appreciated by the greatest taste professionals for its authenticity. The strict standards that Canadian whisky must meet make this beverage an alcoholic drink of excellence. Canadian whisky is also appreciated for the diversity of the distilleries that produce it, the production methods and whisky compositions.

Maple syrup Canadian whisky is notably a much-appreciated reference on the tables of fine dining restaurants around the world. It seduces with its fragrant aromas and sweet taste that perfectly accompany desserts. Its sugar content allows maple syrup whisky to complement sweet dishes, especially pastries.

Also, Canadian maple syrup whisky seduces by its appearance. Its dark and deep color offers a warm hue. It should be noted that maple syrup, when composing a Canadian whisky, is integrated pure directly into the casks that contain the whisky. The whisky thus draws its color from the wood essences but also from the maple syrup, which gives it an authentic natural amber color. Within Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants, Canadian whisky and its maple syrup version is also used by bartenders to create cocktails.

Canadian whisky brands

The vast Canadian territory has about thirty distilleries that produce whisky. Canadian whisky distilleries are mostly industrial. However, Canadian whisky distilleries have been increasingly emerging since the 2010s. Canadian whisky distilleries are scattered across the country. A majority of whisky distilleries are located in Ontario and Quebec. Other Canadian distilleries that produce whisky are located in Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Canadian distilleries that produce whisky can also produce other spirits. Historically, Canada had more than 250 artisanal distilleries in the 1850s. Distilleries that produced whisky but also other alcoholic beverages such as rum, vodka, gin, liqueurs or other blended spirits.

Canadian brands that sell whisky, contrary to what one might believe, are not Canadian brands. They are often multinational companies that have acquired local brands over the years. Among the best-known Canadian whisky brands: Alberta Premium, Black-Velvet, Canadian Club, Canadian Mist, Canadian Sudbury, Canadian Shiel, Corby, JP Wiser, Peeke Creek, Craigdarroch, Coureur des Bois, Crown Royal, Dillons, Lot 40, Forty-Creek, Gibson's Finest, Glen Saaniche, Glenora Distillers, Highwood, J.P. Wisser, Kittling, L'Eau d'Août, Lucky Bastard, Odd Society, Okanaga, Pemberton, Spicebox, Spirit Bear and White Dog.

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The selection of premium Canadian whiskies

How are Canadian whiskies selected on Bestwine • Online? Bestwine • Online lists the Canadian whiskies featured on the wine lists and in the cellars of the most well-known and recognized fine dining restaurants around the world. Canadian whisky references acclaimed by the greatest chefs and sommeliers of gastronomy themselves valued by critics. Only Canadian whisky references sold online are presented to you to allow you to buy them easily.

How is the directory of the best Canadian whiskies updated? The directory of the best Canadian whiskies is updated daily by incorporating new references from the wine lists of fine dining restaurants made available to us. Likewise, we update commercial and promotional offers to allow you to buy a quality Canadian whisky online at the best price. We commit to presenting only Canadian whisky references from the wine lists of awarded fine dining restaurants.