Canadian whiskey is a good whiskey that is prepared with some mixed ingredients and it still undergoes some processes in making; to be refined. Though there are some Canadian whiskey brands that are cheap, they are also found among the best on the list. And there are also some other brands of Canadian whiskey that are considered as the top brands. Now, we will have to go through each of them to understand what they represent.
Canadian Whiskey Brands
Canadian whisky is simply interpreted to be Canada produced type of whisky. And it will interest you to know that Canadian whiskies are mixed together with multi-grain liquors; that contain a large percentage of corn spirits. However, it is also good to know that Canadian whiskies are simply light and smooth than other whisky styles you already know; and it is made of wheat, corn, and barley, with each component being ground, fermented, distilled, and aged separately to have their best taste. In addition, Canadian whiskey is what it is today because there is a balance of its ingredients.
Cheap Canadian Whiskey Brands
As we all know that some brands of Canadian whiskey possess different levels; both in price and quality. However, we will be looking at the cheap Canadian whiskey brands; and they include:
#1. Black Velvet Reserve ($14)
Black Velvet has its name popular since 1991; it has powerful and complex notes of roasted nuts, pear, slight spice, and pepper among others, the medium-bodied spirit sports a smooth, mellow grain taste on its smokey finish. Though it is among the cheap Canadian whiskey brands, it is still good and mouth watery to take.
#2. Phillips Distilling Revel Stroke Pecan ($15)
Phillips Distilling is one popular cheap Canadian whiskey brand that offers a whole collection of flavored whiskeys, that range from cinnamon to pineapple, and pecan. It has a smooth and reaches taste not minding its cheapness.
#3. Rich & Rare Reserve Canadian Whiskey ($1)
With R&R’s cheap Canadian whiskey brands, the reserve blend is bold of higher-end whiskey brands, which claims a honey toast and floral smell. And it is also heavily influenced by spicy rye grain and oak barrels in its flavor. R as a lone wolf over ice or in a mixed drink.
#4. Canadian Club 100% Rye ($20)
Canadian Club is 100% Rye. It won the best whiskey in the world in 2015; and the best cheap Canadian whiskey brands. Subsequently, it is gotten from whole grain rye, and each bottle offers a rich caramel and oak taste; which is followed by a spicier finish than your typical Canadian whisky.
#5. J.P. Wiser’s Rye Canadian Whisky $20
This cheap rye whisk(e)y brands, managed to find the perfect median of complexity and balanced, offering a smooth texture that crawls up the glass. Wiser’s rye is brimming with oak and toasted grain notes with an enduring rich toffee finish. Not only is this blend bold enough for life on the rocks, but it is also light enough to make you taste for more.
#6. Forty Creek Barrel Select ($20)
As one of the cheapest brands of Canadian whiskey, Forty Creek’s Barrel Select has offered a little bit of everything, including smooth viscosity and mellow aftertaste. Each bottle is distilled separately in small portions and it may offer a different experience; but a pleasant, rich taste.
Best Canadian Whiskey Brands
There are different Canadian brands that are the best in their various aspects. Not all Canadian whiskey brands possess the same goodness of texture, smoothness, richness, lightness, etc that will interest the consumer in taking it. In other words, there are some qualities possessed by a Canadian whiskey, which will make it the best in its features. However, below is the list of the Canadian whiskey brands in their different best.
#1. Forty Creek Confederation Oak (Best Overall)
This is an excellent expression from the Grimsby, Ontario distillery. It’s a blended whisky that is finished for up to two years in new Canadian oak barrels, which the distillery says it have a tighter grain because of the colder climate.
#2. Canadian Club 100% Rye (Best Budget)
Canadian Club is a well-known brand in the U.S., mostly for its extremely popular and affordable blended whisky. But this 100% 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 and this spirit also has caramel and oak notes.
#3. JP Wiser’s 18 Year Old blended (Best for Sipping)
This whisky stands out for its complexity in flavors, which is driven by the usage of bourbon and barrels. It has a good aroma and is well balanced at a great price. Therefore, it is perfect for sipping, this spirit is aged for those who are 18 years.
#4. Lock, Stock & Barrel 16 Year Rye (Best Splurge)
This 100% 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.
#5. Gooderham & Worts Four Grain (Whisky Best for Old Fashioned)
This whisky is therefore made from a mash bill of four grains which is corn, wheat, rye, and barley; thus giving it a taste of flavor and complexity that makes it a great Old Fashioned whiskey. Even so, this spirit is bottled at 44.4% alcohol level, which is a bit higher than other Canadian whiskies; also it is reduced when combined with bitters and sugar.
#6. Lot No. 40 Rye (Best Rye)
There are many Canadian rye whiskies to choose from in considering the best rye. Lot No 40 rye is made from a mash bill of 100% rye that is distilled in copper pot stills; and there is also a nice balance of sweetness and spice on the palate, with a buttery mouthfeel and some notes of fruit and vanilla.
#7. Crown Royal Deluxe (Best Blend)
Nestor Marchand, the director of food and beverage at Plunge Beach Resort in Florida once said “There are definitely some good new Canadian lend whiskies on the market” and this brand is exactly what that statement is for. It is a mixture of 50 different whiskies aged in oak barrels; also this spirit is extremely popular for a reason. In addition, it is smooth, sweet, and can be used in many different cocktails.
Canadian Whiskey Brands List
There is so many lists of Canadian whiskey brands in the market to choose your favorite. However, this list, it includes both the good, best, cheap, not really good ones, all kinds of whiskey. Below includes the list of Canadian whiskey brands.
#1. Crown Royal Black Whiskey
Crown Royal Black is a rich and flavorful blend of Canadian whisky. Therefore, all the smoothness of Crown Royal was matured in charred oak barrels and also blended at a higher proof for a richer texture and bold finish.
#2. Seagram’s VO Whiskey
The Seagram’s VO is a Canadian blended whisky brand from the once highly successful Seagram’s corporation, and it has been said to be a blend initially created based on a family discussion, and for the personal preference of the family members.
#3. Corby Royal Reserve Canadian Rye Whiskey
The Corby Royal Reserve Canadian Rye Whiskey has been around for quite a long time now. Thus this whiskey is created by the famous distiller Henry Corby and has been a favored product across the United States. It has a 40% alcohol level and is light.
#4. Wisers Small Batch Whisky
Wiser’s whisky is still made using traditional recipes to ensure that the final product lives up to the standards set out by the founder; that is the more reason why is it among this list of Canadian whiskey brands. It is good to also know that the baking spices and clove oil deliver a wallop. But it is with a rich oakiness, complete with sawdust, greenwood, cedar, and fresh cedar leaves, followed by wood smoke.
#5. Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye
Alberta premium cask has been called the best rye distillers in the world by more than one whisky fan— and Alberta Premium is their line of Canadian-grown, all-rye whisky. The Cask Strength Rye comes straight from the barrel, uncut with a 65.1% alcohol level.
#6.Lock Stock & Barrel 16 Year Rye Whiskey
Lock Stock & Barrel is a label under Philly-based Cooper Spirits Company, founded just 13 years ago. So how can they offer 16-year-old rye? Alberta Distillers Limited. The result here is lively and full-flavored rye with intense fruit and herbal aromas.
#7. Whistlepig 10 Year Rye Whiskey
In the list of Canadian whiskey brands, WhistlePig 10 Year Rye Whiskey is also sourced from Alberta Distillers, the Vermont farm-based craft distillery. Pickerell pointed them to spirits from the Great White North. With WhistlePig’s finishing and bottling.
#8. J.P. Wiser’s 18 Year Old Canadian Whisky
J.P. Wiser was one of the early major distillers in Canada, exporting globally and growing exponentially. Then in 1932, the distillery was closed and the name and recipes were sold to Corby Spirits, which eventually merged with another Canadian granddad distillery, Hiram Walker. The 18-year-old Wiser’s is an expertly blended whisky that spent a good amount of time in charred oak. It’s got a smooth finish with pine, apple, and of course oak flavors.
Top Canadian Whiskey Brands
There are some popular or good Canadian whiskey brands we have or we ought to know. These brands are of good quality and makeup, they include.
#1. Lot No. 40 Canadian Rye Whisky
The first in our list of good brands is Lot No. 40 Canadian Rye Whisky. Do not be surprised. The nose of this spirit is of clove and cinnamon, while the palate is dry and peppery, known to remind drinkers of freshly baked bread or sour pickles. Once the whisky is taken in, it reach down with a spicy taste end, thereby leaving you warm on the inside.
#2. Pike Creek Port Barrel Finish Canadian Whisky
Pike Creek is sold as a spirit that has been formed by the elements. This is because their aging process forgoes the modern practices of temperature control and instead leaves their whisky to face the conditions of each season. This traditional, long aging process produces a fruity whisky, with hints of vanilla and cinnamon and nuts. Its aroma is of rye and dried fruits, while it tastes creamy vanilla.
Alberta Premium Cash Strength Rye has done a lot for Canadian whisky on the world stage. This 65.1% alcoholic whiskey is strong and Alberta Premium has just created one of the best and world’s leading drams.
#4. Proof Two Grain Whisky
Proof Two Grain whiskey is very popular at the clubbing scene; its flavors are very similar to that of Japanese whisky, with a smell of citrus and honey. Its palate of lemon, cinnamon, and clove is followed by a fiery finish, and it has an alcohol level of 42% in rate.
#5. Masterson’s 10 Year Old Straight Rye
Masterson’s 10-Year-Old Straight Rye is a spirit for the brave and not the weak. The end, however, is of coffee and dark chocolate, resulting in a sharp, tart after taste. It has a 45% alcohol
#6. JP Wiser’s 18 Year Old Canadian Whisky
A traditional top-shelf Canadian whisky, the spirit takes on the earthy, smoky textures of the Canadian wooden barrels it’s aged in. Citrusy on the palate and its finish, JP Wiser’s 18 Year Old is a great bottle of whisky for a reliable, consistently flavored drink. It has a 40% level of alcohol.
#7. Gibson’s Finest Rare Aged 18-Year-Old
Gibson’s Finest Rare Aged 18-Year-Old is barley and rye-dominate blend. However, the mix of barley with the rye means that the spirit isn’t as nose-hair-burning as a whisky from Masterson’s, but still holds a little kick on the palate.
#8. Alberta Rye Dark Batch
Alberta Rye Dark Batch is a top-shelf Canadian whisky that use toasted rye in their mix; the whisky has a similar palate to Lot No. 40’s Rye from earlier on our list, but this time with a hint of ripe fruit in the nose as well. It has 45% of alcohol.
What Is the Most Popular Canadian Whiskey?
Here are the most Canadian whiskey brands you already know.
- Forty Creek Confederation Oak
- JP Wiser’s 18-Year-Old blended (Best for Sipping)
- Lock, Stock & Barrel 16-Year Rye (Best Splurge)
- Canadian Club 100% Rye (Best Budget)
- Lot No. 40 Rye (Best Rye)
Why Is Canadian Club So Cheap?
Canadian Club is a cheap whiskey due to its country price and the type of modeling it is. Also, it is gotten from whole grain rye, and each bottle offers a rich caramel and oak taste; which is followed by a spicier finish than your typical Canadian whisky.
Is Canadian Whiskey Better Than Bourbon?
Canadian whiskey is often said to be more intense and rough, while bourbon is usually sweeter and smoother. Also, bourbon must age in new barrels made of charred oak, while Canadian whiskey can age in used barrels. This makes the taste of Bourbon stronger.
Is Canadian Alcohol Stronger Than American?
Canadian beers (measured in ABV) appeared to be more potent than American beers due to differences in labeling. Today, the majority of American brewers utilize the ABV technique. Using the same measurement, full-bodied lagers in both nations typically contain between 4.0 and 6.1 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).
Is Canada Famous for Whiskey?
Canadians are renowned for producing excellent whisky (spelled without ). The distinguishing qualities of Canadian whisky are that it must be aged for at least three years in Canada and contain at least 40 percent alcohol by volume.
