12 Best Cheap Canadian Whisky Brands Ranked (2023 Updated) – Liquor Laboratory

Last Updated on December 28, 2022 by Lydia Martin

While bourbon and scotch dominate the whiskey market, Canadian whisky is a dark horse as it makes a comeback in the industry.

Despite the misconceptions between Canadian whisky and rye whiskey, Canadian whiskies are still lighter in the body compared to other kinds of whiskey. 

If you haven’t tried Canadian whisky, here are our top recommendations.

Keep reading and see the best cheap Canadian whisky you can start with.

Top 12 Cheap But Tasty Canadian Whiskies 

12. Cabot Trail Maple Whisky

Average Price: Around $25 for 750ml (Drizly)

Alcohol Content: 31.7%

Why We Like It: 

Cabot Trail Maple Whiskys’ flavor profile is inspired by Canadian tradition.

It’s a lightly malted liqueur blend of aged Canadian whisky and pure premium-grade maple syrup. 

Cabot Trail has a complex yet creamy caramelized taste with a baking spice of rye whisky.

It has a balanced mouthfeel with a rounded finish and maple syrup undertones.

11. Canadian Club 1858

Average Price: Around $19 for 1L (Drizly)

Alcohol Content: 40%

Why We Like It:

Canadian Club has had its original recipe since 1858 and has a signature distinct rye and barley malt flavor. 

It is aged in oak barrels longer than the standard minimum of three years required by Canadian law. [1]

Canadian Club has a rich flavor made with the finest hand-selected grains in the world.

This Canadian Club 1858 80-proof bottle gives a zesty and spicy hint complemented with rich oak and pleasant sweetness.

It has a clean and dry finish with lingering oak notes.

10. Revel Stoke Blended Canadian Whisky

Average Price: Around $15 for 750ml (Drizly)

Alcohol Content: 40%

Why We Like It:

Revel Stoke whisky is known for its blended whisky made of Canadian whisky and interesting flavors.

Its Blended Canadian Whisky has a strong profile but with a pleasant sweetness.

It has a light, slightly watery, and sweet mouthfeel.

You can expect caramel aromas, vanilla, and hints of allspice with a medium finish that fades with sweetish, spicy, and peppery undertones.

9. Forty Creek Copper Pot

Average Price: Around $19 for 750ml (Total Wine)

Alcohol Content: 43%

Why We Like It:

Forty Creek Copper Pot, also called Copper Bold, has a bold and full-bodied whisky. It has a higher proof that complements its deep flavors. 

Copper Pot has a thick, rich body with an oily texture but no burn.

It has a balance of intense toffee caramel aromas and rye spice notes resulting from extra oak aging. 

This Canadian whisky is great to savor because of its delectable blends with a higher alcohol content than many other Canadian whiskies.

8. Seagram’s V.O. Canadian Whisky

Average Price: Around 18% for 750ml (Drizly)

Alcohol Content: 40%

Why We Like It:

Seagram’s V.O. Canadian whisky is one of the famous whiskies made by Joseph Seagram. Sazerac Company currently owns it after Diageo sold it last 2018. [2]

According to its website, V.O. stands for ’Very Own’ or ’Very Old.’

It has a sweet, rum-like fruitiness at the start of the palate but ends slightly bitter with a smoky flavor. 

Seagram’s V.O. has a spicy ginger cake finish with cedar woody bitterness appealing to the palate.

7. McAdams Canadian Whisky

Average Price: Around $8 for 750ml (Total Wine)

Alcohol Content: 40%

Why We Like It:

McAdams Canadian Whisky is one of the cheapest Canadian whiskies that are 80-proof and aged in ex-bourbon barrels.

It has welcoming citrus, orange, and vanilla aromas on the nose.

McAdams Canadian Whisky is a light-bodied whisky with a smooth texture with caramel, vanilla hints, and oak notes. 

6. Canadian Hunter 80

Average Price: Around $10 for 750ml (Drizly)

Alcohol Content: 40%

Why We Like It:

Canadian Hunter 80 is a straightforward crafted spirit. It has an authentic smooth whisky with a unique Alaskan motif label featured on its bottle.

“Quality is something you just can’t rush. Horses should hurry, but whisky must take its time.”

John Philip Wiser, Distiller

It has a dry-light body with caramel notes, toasted nuts, honey, pepper, and dusty mineral fade.

Bottled at 80-proof, Canadian Hunter is an unpretentious smooth whisky you will surely adore.

5. MacNaughton Canadian Whisky

Average Price: Around $12 for 750ml (Drizly)

Alcohol Content: 40%

Why We Like It:

MacNaughton Canadian Whisky is an 80-proof bottle with mild spice and sweetness on the palate. 

It is a spicy whisky with fruity aromas you can enjoy straight up or great as a base for cocktails. 

4. Crown Royal Black Blended Canadian Whisky

Average Price: Around $33 for 750ml (Drizly)

Alcohol Content: 45%

Why We Like It:

Crown Royal Black Canadian whisky is crafted through Canadian tradition with a higher proof of 90.

It’s one of the highest proofs from Canadian whisky entry-level that is incredibly smooth.

Crown Royal Black Canadian has a creamy, flavorful body texture with notes of dried fruits and has caramel and vanilla aromas.

At 90-proof, it offers a richer and bold flavor profile.

It has a deeper oak note from its charred oak barrels that complements sweet maple notes with a bold finish.

3. Crown Royal Maple Finished Maple Flavored Whisky

Average Price: Around $27 for 750ml (Drizly)

Alcohol Content: 40%

Why We Like It:

Maple Finished Whisky is one of the flavored series of Crown Royal. It has an exceptional blend of Crown Royal blended whiskies and Canadian pure maple syrup. 

Crown Royal Maple Finished Whisky has a light, fresh maple aroma with Crown Royal’s signature vanilla and caramel notes. 

It’s a smooth whisky perfect for sipping, having a warm finish with woody notes and fades with caramelized hints.

2. J.P. Wiser’s Spiced Vanilla Whisky

Average Price: Around $21 for 750ml (Drizly)

Alcohol Content: 43% 

Why We Like It:

This medium ambered color Canadian whisky is made with premium ingredients.

J.P. Wiser Spiced Vanilla has prominent vanilla aromas, allspice, caramelized toffee, and traces of raisin. 

It has a complex yet smooth texture from its distinct aging process from premium white oak barrels. 

J.P. Wiser Spiced Vanilla has a full-bodied flavor of sweet caramel notes and dried fruits with a hint of spice.

It is a great-tasting whisky perfect for drinking neat and mixed cocktails.

Read: Who Makes Kirkland Canadian Whisky?

1. Pendleton Canadian Whisky

Average Price: Around $26 for 750ml (Drizly)

Alcohol Content: 40%

Why We Like It:

Pendleton is a Canadian whisky but holds a place in America’s heart. From where it is bottled to its name and history, it has a touch of America.

Pendleton whisky is a light Canadian whisky with a caramel note upfront, mellowing to vanilla notes.

It can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or as a base for your favorite cocktail. But what’s the difference between Pendleton and Crown Royal whisky?

FAQs 

Is Canadian whisky cheaper than American whiskey?

Yes, Canadian whisky that’s cheaper compared to American whiskey.

Unlike American whiskies, Canadian whisky doesn’t have many legal requirements, which makes it lower in price.

Is Canadian whisky cheaper in Canada?

Yes, Canadian whisky is cheaper in Canada. If you’re in the other part of the world, export prices would add up, making it more expensive.

Key Takeaways

Many affordable Canadian whisky brands are still thriving in their position in the whiskey industry.

But compared to other whiskeys, it’s typically lighter in body and cheaper.

Canadian whisky flavors offer a smoother texture with prominent vanilla, toffee, caramel, and spicy notes.

Its sweet and lighter profile is perfect for sipping straight or on the rocks.

So, if you’re curious about what Canadian whisky tastes like, these cheap recommendations are a great start for you to try.

References:

1. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/C.R.C.,_c._870/section-B.02.020.html 
2. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-diageo-divestment-idUSKCN1NH0M0 

Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.