Canadian whisky

Canadian whisky is a type of whisky produced in Canada. Most Canadian whiskies are blended multi-grain liquors containing a large percentage of corn spirits, and are typically lighter and smoother than other whisky styles.

History

Canadian whisky featured prominently in illegal smuggling into the U.S. during Prohibition. When Prohibition was repealed, the whisky had become the men's drink of choice. Hiram Walker's brand Canadian Club was a popular whisky, and it has been immortalized by the many bootlegger and gangster movies that were set in the Prohibition era.

Production

Canadian whisky is made primarily from corn or barley, with a supplement of rye, wheat, or oats. It is aged in barrel for a minimum of three years; most brands mature it for 6 to 10 years. The final product is a blend of whiskies that are individually aged, as the practice of mixing the grains prior to mashing is uncommon in Canadian whisky production.

Characteristics

Canadian whiskies are often referred to as "rye whiskies", though the mashbill need not contain any rye grain, and they often do not. The lighter flavor of Canadian whisky is not due to the often-used base grain being corn, but is instead due to the small percentage of flavoring grain (rye, barley, wheat) used, its distillation to a high proof, and the 3+ years of aging in used barrels.

Brands

Some well-known brands of Canadian whisky include Crown Royal, Canadian Club, Seagram's, and Black Velvet. Each has a unique flavor profile and production process, but all are representative of the Canadian whisky style.

See also

• List of whisky brands
• Distilled beverage

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  Canadian whisky
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  Gooderham and Worts distillery in the 1800s
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  H. C. Hatch, 1934
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  Crown Royal distillery in Gimli
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  Walkerville Ontario Distillery
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  Black Velvet Canadian Whisky
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  Hiram Walker distilleries