When most people think about whisky, they don’t usually think about Canada. However, the best Canadian whiskies are packed with flavour, most in part due to the cooler climate that’s perfect for crafting smooth blends that are ideal to be sipped neat or added to your favourite cocktail.
Canadian whiskies are typically either smooth grain blends or rye, and these Canadian versions stand up to their single-malt counterparts. Rye whisky is spicier and more robust. Whether you’re enjoying it neat or mixing it into a cocktail, Canadian rye whisky has an unmistakable character.
Best Canadian Whisky
The best Canadian whiskies are well-blended, smooth and flavoursome, with some packing a spicy rye kick. Here are 7 to discover.
1. Canadian Club Whisky
Overview
- Distiller: Canadian Club
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Canada
- Colour: Light Gold
Review
One of the most famous Canadian Whiskies, the infamous Canadian Club Whisky, is excellent as a budget sipper and addition to whisky cocktails. This rye whisky carries the style’s signature spicy aroma and taste.
Created by Hiram Walker in the 19th Century, he moved his brewery to Ontario, then Alberta, to avoid the coming Prohibition. His whisky – marketed to gentleman’s clubs – was so famous that his American rivals demanded his company adds ‘Canadian’ to the label.
On The Nose
Aromas of vanilla, almond, oak and black pepper
On The Palate
Gently spiced with a touch of zest on the opening. Smooth oak and sweet vanilla mid-palate lead to a medium-length crisp finish with a touch of pepper that lingers.
Best Served
Enjoy neat on the rocks, or pair 2 parts Canadian Club with 1 part peppermint schnapps for a CC Canadian Mint cocktail.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
2. Seagram’s V.O.
Overview
- Distiller: The Seagram’s
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Canada
- Colour: Pale Gold
Review
While nobody knows precisely what the ‘V.O.’ stands for, everyone can agree that Seagram’s V.O. is an excellent example of Canadian whisky. This blend originated with Joseph E. Seagram in 1913 – he distilled this whisky to celebrate his son’s wedding.
Although the original distillery has since shut down, it seems that the Sazerac Company took over the brand and has done an excellent job of keeping up the tradition.
Seagram’s V.O is a blend of whiskies aged at least six years and perfect for sipping.
On The Nose
This whisky has a sweet, juicy nose with tropical fruit and woody aromas.
On The Palate
Seagram’s V.O. boasts a nice balance of exotic spices, sweet tropical fruit and a bitter twist mid-palate. The lingering finish is smooth and gently smoked. Excellent for whisky beginners and veterans alike.
Best Served
Due to its sweet and smoky tropical fruity persona, I recommend enjoying Seagram’s V.O. over ice, maybe with a few drops of water (as per my guide) to release more aromas.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
3. J.P. Wiser’s 18 Year Old
Overview
- Distiller: J.P. Wiser’s
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Canada
- Colour: Amber
Review
If you’re looking for a sipping whisky, look no further than J.P. Wiser’s 18-Year-Old. This iconic Canadian whisky has all the marvellously complex flavours you would expect from such an aged variety.
J.P Wiser is a pedigree company, too. Since 1857, their Ontario distillery has been ageing quality whiskies in bourbon barrels. Indeed, that’s one reason why their flagship product has such a mellow taste.
On The Nose
Plenty of oak, coffee, spice, and orchard fruit aromas
On The Palate
Rich, fruity notes and caramel are lifted by fresh pine and crisp apple. An array of roasted nut and smooth oak notes on the flavoursome finish. Also, consider my review of Jim Beam and a similar alternative.
Best Served
J.P. Wiser’s 18-Year-Old deserves to be slowly sipped neat on the rocks. You can open it up with a splash of water.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
4. Crown Royal Canadian Whisky
Overview
- Distiller: Crown Royal
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Canada
- Colour: Rich Gold
Review
Crown Royal Deluxe Canadian Whisky is a blend as delicious as it is eye-catching. This exceptional whisky is a well-blended combination of the brand’s finest whiskies.
With literally dozens of varieties, whether you’re looking for rye, apple, peach, or even salted caramel, Crown Royal has a style available to suit every palate.
On The Nose
Its gentle vanilla and oak aromas have a discreet fruity underbelly.
On The Palate
Smooth and creamy on the palate, its vanilla-oak flavours slide into a long, relaxed finish that will not overpower as a sipper of cocktail addition.
Best Served
This whisky’s rich, robust nose complements everything from cola to a classic old-fashioned and is guaranteed to work with any cocktail recipe calling for whisky.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
5. Black Velvet Canadian Whisky
Overview
- Distiller: Black Velvet
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Canada
- Colour: Rich Gold
Review
Black Velvet Canadian Whisky is one of the world’s largest Canadian whisky brands, and that’s for a good reason. Black Velvet’s uniquely smooth and ‘velvety’ taste has earned it a place in bars across the continent.
What’s particularly remarkable about Black Velvet is that each bottle is only aged three years yet has this elegant softness. This Canadian whisky also includes corn as an ingredient alongside the typical rye and grains.
On The Nose
Black Velvet has aromas of caramel, vanilla, and – surprisingly – coconut.
On The Palate
Caramel and vanilla upfront, where this whisky’s incredible smoothness truly falls into place. This medium body whisky also has a spicy rye finish with a touch of coconut.
Best Served
More of a cocktail base than a sipper, I would say every mixed drink can appreciate this easy-going whisky, such as a Black Velvet and Cola.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
6. Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve
Overview
- Distiller: Forty Creek
- ABV: 43% (86 Proof)
- Country: Canada
- Colour: Deep Copper
Review
A more robust version of the award-winning Barrel Select, Copper Pot Reverse has a full body and a higher-than-average proof at 43%. If you want to savour Canadian whisky, start here.
As well as that, Forty Creek also ages their Copper Pot Reserve in a mix of American White Oak and bourbon barrels. This technique adds to this whisky’s unique spicy kick.
On The Nose
Aromas of toffee, spice, oak, and almonds
On The Palate
This Canadian whisky is initially fruity with hints of spiced-marmalade mid-palate. A uniquely rich and spicy finish that lingers nicely.
Best Served
Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve is a whisky that deserves to be enjoyed neat over ice.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
7. 8 Seconds Black 8 Year Old Whisky
Overview
- Distiller: Frank-Lin Distillers
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Canada
- Colour: Light Amber
Review
And now for 8 Seconds Black 8-Year-Old Whisky, a premium product without a doubt. With a luxurious golden amber colour contrasting sweet, spice and woody, this is well worth discovering.
8 Seconds was originally a cowboy product, hence the name. The eight-second ride is a rodeo term, referring to how long a rider had to hang onto his bull. Yeehaaaa.
On The Nose
Toffee, burnt sugar, coffee, black pepper and oak
On The Palate
Upfront toffee and spice notes, with hints of vanilla and dried fruit mid-palate. The finish is equally tasty, and that’s where 8 Seconds’ polish stands out the most. This 8-Year-Old blend is sweet, balanced, and smooth throughout.
Best Served
This versatile Canadian whisky is delicious on the rocks, in various cocktails, and pairs well with ginger ale.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
Andrew’s Top Pick
J.P Wiser’s 18-Year-Old
I recommend J.P Wiser’s 18-Year-Old to anyone looking for the best Canadian whisky. This blend is excellent to sip with its layered, thoughtful flavours.
However, Canadian Club Whisky is a fantastic budget alternative, while Canadian Royal Deluxe goes perfectly in any mixed drink.
Conclusion
Discovering the best Canadian whisky has been a fascinating world of varying flavours. Regardless of if you’re a whisky mixology lover or prefer to sit back and sip your whisky neat, Canada has a whisky for you.
Obviously, only whisky produced in Canada can be Canadian whisky. Not only that, but it must’ve spent at least three years ageing in oak barrels.
Also Read: 12 Best Things To Mix With Whiskey (Quick Guide)
The ingredients matter, too. Canadian whisky needs an alcohol distillate of mashed cereal grain as a base, and this product also has a minimum ABV. Any beverage less than 40% alcohol by volume can’t be Canadian whisky, even if it fulfils the other requirements.
Overall, I found that J.P Wiser’s 18-Year-Old was the most outstanding whisky Canada has to offer, so the next time you are at your local bar or store, check out one of these enticing blends for yourself.
If you fancy something smoky, check out my article on 9 Super-Smokey Peated Whiskies With Attitude.
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
