The 13 Best Canadian Whiskies to Drink in 2023

With some of their most distinguishing features in mind, here are the best Canadian whiskies to drink now.

Canada is best known for two types of whisky: 100 percent rye and grain blends. The grains are individually fermented, distilled, and matured, then blended—a different manufacturing process than American whiskey. Canadian whiskies also have less strict distilling laws, so distillers tend to get creative with blends, ages, grains, barrelings, and cask finishes.

Canadians are known for making some good whisky (spelled there without the “e”). The defining characteristics of Canadian whisky are that it must be aged for three years in Canada from a mash bill recipe of grains and contain at least 40 percent ABV. Beyond that, distillers are free to experiment with different barrel types and recipes, and they can even add 9.09 percent of another spirit to the whisky (as long as it’s aged for two years in wood).

Best Overall

Forty Creek Confederation Oak

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Region: Ontario | Grain: Rye, barley, corn | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Praline, honey, dark fruits

This is an excellent expression from the Grimsby, Ontario distillery. Confederation Oak was created to commemorate Canada’s 1867 Confederation. It’s a blended whisky that is finished for up to two years in new Canadian oak barrels, which the distillery says have a tighter grain because of the colder climate. Look for notes of praline, honey, and dark fruits on the palate. 

Best Budget

Canadian Club 100% Rye

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Region: Alberta | Grain: Rye | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Spice, caramel, oak

Canadian Club is a well-known brand in the U.S., mostly for its extremely popular and affordable blended whisky. But this 100 percent 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. This is not the most intense rye whisky experience you’ll find, but it’s certainly a good deal. Crafted by Alberta Distillers, this spirit has caramel and oak notes.

Read Next: The Best Whiskey Glasses, According to Experts

Best for Sipping

J.P. Wiser’s 18 Year Old Blended Canadian Whisky

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Region: Ontario | Grain: Blend | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Earth, smoke, rye

“This whisky stands out for its complexity in flavors, which is driven by the usage of the [bourbon] barrels [used for aging],” says Frederic Najem, the director of food and beverage at Loews Philadelphia Hotel. “It has an aroma of earth, smoke, and rye on the nose. This whisky is well balanced at a great price.” Perfect for sipping, this spirit is aged for 18 years.

Best Splurge

Lock Stock & Barrel 16 Year

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Region: Pennsylvania via Alberta | Grain: 100% rye | ABV: 53.5% | Tasting Notes: Deep spice, cocoa, dried fruit

This 100 percent 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. Sip this on its own, or use it for a premium cocktail experience.

Best Rye

Lot 40 Canadian Rye Whisky

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Region: Ontario | Grain: Canadian rye, malted rye | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Balanced sweetness, spice, fruit

There are many Canadian rye whiskies to choose from (some Canadians even refer to whisky, no matter what the mash bill is, as “rye”). But this expression from Lot No. 40, crafted at Hiram Walker Distillery, is one of the best. 

It’s made from a mash bill of 100 percent rye that is distilled in copper pot stills. There’s a nice balance of sweetness and spice on the palate, with a buttery mouthfeel and some notes of fruit and vanilla. Overall, this is a stellar example of rye whisky from the north.

Related: The Best Rye Whiskeys

Best Blend

Crown Royal Deluxe Blended Canadian Whisky

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Region: Manitoba | Grain: Blend | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Oak, sweet vanilla

“There are definitely some good new Canadian whiskies on the market,” says Nestor Marchand, the director of food and beverage at Plunge Beach Resort in Florida. “But when I think of Canadian whisky, I think of Crown Royal. It’s a nice upgrade that won’t break the bank.”

Blended with 50 different whiskies aged in oak barrels, this spirit is extremely popular for a reason—it’s smooth, sweet, and can be used in many different cocktails.

Best Age Statement

JP Wiser’s 15 Year Old

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Region: Ontario | Grain: Corn | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Dried fruit, green apple, toffee

This JP Wiser’s whisky is a bartender favorite. “It’s a blend of mature grain whiskies with a hint of rye spice,” says Pablo Guerrero, the food and beverage manager of Azabu Miami Beach. “After being aged for 15 years, we have a rich and smooth mix of flavors like dried fruits, toffee, spices, and a very small touch of green apple. There is no need to break the bank, as it is a good value whisky and a fantastic digestif to end a memorable dinner.”

Best Barrel Finish

Pike Creek 10 Year Old Rum Barrel Finished

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Region: Ontario | Grain: Rye | ABV: 42% | Tasting Notes: Banana, brown sugar, spice, dried fruit

From Corby Distilleries, Pike Creek’s rye whisky undergoes some interesting barrel finishes after initial maturation. One of the best expressions is this 10-year-old blended whisky finished in rum barrels. This secondary maturation brings notes of banana and brown sugar to the mix of caramel, spice, and dried fruit flavors.

Best Single Barrel

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky

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Region: Quebec | Grain: Corn, rye | ABV: 42% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, honey, spice

“Caribou Crossing, a Sazerac brand product, is pricier than your average Canadian whisky but worth every drop,” says Carlos Lopez, the bar manager of Stiltsville Fish Bar in Miami Beach.

What makes this whisky stand out is that it’s a single barrel release, meaning each bottle comes from one particular barrel instead of a blend of many casks. This also means that every bottle will taste slightly different, but overall, look for notes of vanilla, honey, and spice.

Best Canadian Grain

Gooderham & Worts 49 Wellington

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Region: Ontario | Grain: Unmalted rye, rye malt, barley malt, wheat, corn, and red winter wheat | ABV: 49% | Tasting Notes: Spice, honey, white pepper

Gooderham & Worts is one of the most historic distilleries in the country; James Wort and William Gooderham set up shop in 1831, initially as a milling company and later expanding to brewing and distilling. By the late 1800s, it was the largest producer of whisky in the world, primarily turning out whisky blends of corn, barley, wheat, and rye.

The 49 Wellington is a little piece of history, calling for unmalted rye, rye malt, barley malt, wheat, corn, and red fife wheat (the latter is one of Canada’s heritage grains). All is left to mature in red oak outfitted with red oak insets. The resulting dram is complex and loaded with a unique spice, balanced out by old oak, integrated tannins, and sweetness.

Best Non-Canadian Canadian Whisky

WhistlePig Rye 10 Year

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Region: Vermont | Grain: Rye | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Rich spice, warm wood

“My favorite Canadian Whisky is probably WhistlePig 10yr Rye Whiskey,” says Thomas Moore, the senior beverage director at Aba Restaurants. “Even though it finishes aging and is bottled in Vermont, it arrives there from Canada and is one of my go-to whiskies.”

As brand lore has it, their stock of rye was found stored in a Canadian distillery. They rescued it and aged it in new American oak before bottling it. It’s complex, and honey-packed, with burnt orange and slight smoke. 

“It’s bottled at 100 proof, so it doesn’t disappear into the background when used in cocktails,” says Moore. “It has a great, rich spice character which is a flavor profile I’m always attracted to in whiskies.”

Best Blend

Pops Canadian Whisky

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Region: Quebec via Texas | Grain: Corn, rye | ABV: 42% | Tasting Notes: Cereal, warmth, vanilla

This is another Canadian-ish bottle. The distillery was founded in 1943, South of the (Canadian) border, but still leans heavily on Canadian-made, 14-year-old ryes as the star of their blends.

It’s Canadian by birth certificate—rye is carefully made in Quebec before it’s brought down to Austin to blend with limestone-heavy Texas water and brought to 42 percent proof. No sugars, flavorings, or colorings are added.

Despite a large amount of rye, the addition of younger corn whiskies makes this a light, easy-sipping whisky well suited to a Manhattan. Expect subtler spice, balanced out with cereal and sweet vanilla notes. 

Related: 8 New Canadian Whiskies to Try Right Now

Best Well

Gibson’s 12 Year Finest Canadian Whisky

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Region: Quebec | Grain: Grain, rye, barley | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Marzipan, warm oak, confectionary

Gibson’s also began stateside—John Gibson founded it in Pennsylvania in the 1830s. It thrived until prohibition when the distillery was forced to shutter. Luckily for us, it was scooped up by a Canadian company and transplanted to Quebec.

Quebec-grown corn and grains take center stage in a range of age expressions. The 12-year-old is the flagship for the brand, leaning on notes of 18-year-old. It’s made by blending various finished expressions, generally higher-proof corn whiskey and lower-proof rye. It’s light and confectionary on the palate, rounded out with caramel, warm oak, and marzipan. 

Reach for this as an elevated alternative to your standard light, budget Canadian blends. (If you can get your hands on the oft-elusive 18-year-old, it’s also a real treat!)