Howitzer Canadian Whisky

Howitzer Canadian Whisky 40% alc/vol

Howitzer’s aromatic nose shows toffee, caramel, mild wood, a flash of gunpowder and hints of oranges. Bold, sweet and peppery on the palate, with creamy toffee. Lovely bitter pith early on is overtaken by spiciness along with more sweetness and something almost citrus. A medium glowing finish fades back into cleansing bitter pith. Not overly complex. A good solid classic Canadian whisky with a bit of oomph. 

As a wine and spirits importer and wholesaler with Ontario-based Noble Estates, Craig de Blois knows his way around whisky. So, when he and a couple of friends decided to release their own Canadian whisky, he had a pretty good idea what he wanted it to taste like. 

“I’m not a spicy guy,” Craig claims. “I love fruit and sweetness – whisky that is fresh and easy drinking.” Craig’s tastes matched those of one of his partners who had spent time in bourbon school at Willett Distillery, home of Rowan’s Creek and Noah’s Mill whiskies, among many others.

Working with a large Canadian distiller, the trio gravitated towards a 5-year-old custom blend of 93% corn and 7% barley whisky. Though there is no rye in Howitzer, time spent maturing in American oak barrels has imparted some of the soft vanilla and crisp peppery spices one might expect in a traditional Canadian whisky. Overall, though the whisky is rich, round and fruity, as they had wanted.

While Howitzer is still relatively new to the market, having been re-launched in January 2021, sales are going well at home in Ontario, and in Nova Scotia, BC, Quebec, New Brunswick and Rhode Island, with plans for full coast to coast distribution across Canada. Although it’s still early days the team is already talking about releasing a 20 year old. Fingers crossed.

Howitzer is good, solid Canadian whisky in the traditional style and can be enjoyed neat, in a whisky cocktail or simply a traditional rye and ginger.  $36.95 in Ontario at LCBO.

Oh yeah, about that name. A Howitzer can be a light, portable cannon-like gun used in past wars by Canadian (and other) military, or a “booming” slapshot in hockey. As whisky, Howitzer does pack a punch, perhaps explaining its popularity with Canadian military personnel, and hockey fans.