Canadian Whiskey Recommendations

So, are you looking for recommendations on Canadian whiskies available in the UK? Or should we feel free to mention whiskies not sold in the UK as well?

If the former, is there a website of a large liquor store chain or something we can refer to, in order to get an idea of what you might have available to you?

Without waiting for an answer to these questions, I think it's reasonably safe to assume that you can get your hands on the ever polarizing and controversial Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, so that's my first suggestion. Some love it, some tolerate it, and some quite dislike it. For me, it's really one of the best value propositions in whisky. It's not the best bottle on my shelf, but it's most definitely a very strong contender for best value.

One thing to be aware of with CRNHR: there's been reports of some pretty big batch variations with this particular whisky, which could go a long way towards explaining why it's been so controversial. That said, I'm on my third bottle and have sampled two other ones, and have not experienced particularly wide batch variations between what I've tried, but I also don't have the most sensitive palate out there, so make of that what you will.

I would only drink CRNHR if it were somehow a way of saving my life or that of a loved one. And it would have to be a special loved one.

@Nozinan And here's proof of that polarization.

@Nelom I've experienced fairly wide variations with CRNH Rye but they've all been pretty good. I like it, but I don't love it. If we're talking value, Alberta Premium Dark Horse is $6-$8 cheaper and is also pretty darned good value.

@Nozinan Why don't you tell us how you really feel.

This is another one of those discussions in which the logical starting point is not, "What's good?" but rather "What can you get where you are located?"

@MuddyFunster, you will love the nose of CRNHR even if you eschew the flavours of the palate, as I do, with what I've tasted. It is good for cocktails, though. I would never buy it again. You might like it, though. I had a good Canadian whisky Desert Island List back in the old version of the site.

I had a horrible bottle of Wiser's 18 yo. Every other one I tasted was better than that one, though. Some like Wiser's Small Batch. I could not stand my bottle.

Lot 40 is safer than most Canadian products from negative batch variation. I would be surprised if you did not like it.

Wiser's Legacy was always my favourite Canadian, but the 2013 and beyond releases are not quite the same as, or as good as, the 2010-2012 releases.

If at all possible get your hands on some of that wonderful 20 yo corn whisky, Highwood Ninety 20 yo..

"...same Alberta Distiller's juice." enters a murky area. There are two main Alberta Distillers juices. WhistlePig gets the good one ("flavouring whisky") only rather than a blend of both the flavouring whisky and the filler whisky. The mass ADL products, Alberta Premium, Alberta Springs, etc. are a lot like adding dilute "grain" Scottish whisky in large volume to malt whisky to form a blend. The other point to make is that WhistlePig and Masterson's are both made to US Straight Rye specifications, which are different from typical Canadian industrial practice for their domestic brands. I like Alberta Premium, which is the basic ADL brand, but I do believe that they fiddle with caramel addition and some wine cask usage in their product. The sweetness in Alberta Premiumj does not taste to me like it came from oak, and the fruitiness in Alberta Premium does not taste to me like it all came from rye grain.

@paddockjudge can probably easily refer you to a desirable Canadian whisky list he added recently in an accessible location.

@OdysseusUnbound I would but isn't this a "family standard" thread?

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But seriously, there are so many better examples. I'm not a Canadian whisky expert but some of my best friends... On the Whisky exchange there is a Wiser's, Lot 40, and Forty Creek (double barrel reserve). I've enjoyed the Lot 40 before. And can anyone tell me why WhistlePig 10 YO rye is cheaper in the UK than at the LCBO?

Master of Malt had nothing I would consider interesting.

@MuddyFunster ,

Here is the list @Victor mentioned. It is from 2016 pre migration ex old connosr.

paddockjudge started a discussion 21 Canadian Whiskies for the 21st Century

1 Alberta Premium 25 year-old 40% abv

1A Alberta Premium 30 year-old 40% abv

3 Danfield's 21 year-old 40%

4 Masterson's 10 year-old Straight Rye 45% abv

5 Gibson's Finest 18 year-old Venerable 40% abv

6 Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve 45% abv

7 WhistlePig THE BOSS HOG 13 year-old 61.6% abv

8 Wiser's Legacy 45% abv

9 Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel 51.5% abv

10 Forty Creek John's Private Cask No.1 40% abv ...at 45% this might have been the greatest Canadian, ever.

11 Century 25 year-old Calgary Stampede 100th Anniversary Edition 40% abv

12 Cadenhead's Potter's Indian Corn 24 Year Old Bourbon Barrel 56.5% abv

13 Crown Royal Monarch 75th Anniversary 40% abv

14 Forty Creek Confederation Oak 40% abv

15 Wiser's Red Letter 45% abv

16 Forty Creek Heart of Gold 43% abv

17 Corby's Lot No.40 43% abv

18 Highwood Ninety 20 year-old 45% abv

19 Canadian Rockies 21 year-old 46% abv

20 WhistlePig Straight Rye 10 year-old 100 proof

21 Lock Stock & Barrell 13 year-old Straight Rye NCF 103 proof

7 months ago

@MuddyFunster, number three spot on that list is occupied by Danfield's 21 YO. I've heard reports about a Black Velvet 21 YO available in Europe. It might be the same/similar juice as Danfield's 21 YO.

Thank you all very much for this. Now working through these lists looking for what might be here.

@MuddyFunster, here's a nice write-up with lots of recommendations covering a wide range of Canadian whiskies:

insearchofelegance.net/blog/2017/…

It's by @JasonHambrey