Canadian Whisky Awards 2018

VICTORIA, Jan. 19, 2018 / - The verdict is in. As the popularity of Canadian whisky continues its meteoric ascent, a jury of ten independent whisky experts has named Wiser’s 35-year-old the very best of the best. The whisky was proclaimed Whisky of the Year in Victoria B.C. on Thursday, January 18, at the eighth annual Canadian Whisky Awards gala. Distillers, brand ambassadors, and fans alike came together to celebrate and raise a glass to the passion and craftsmanship of Canadian whisky.Chairman of the judges, Davin de Kergommeaux, described Wiser’s 35-year-old as: “An elegant and complex beauty with depth of flavour and no rough edges.”Other top accolades went to whiskies from Caribou Crossing, Crown Royal, Collingwood, Forty Creek, Gibson’s Finest, and Highwood Rye.“Canada’s whisky makers have responded to skyrocketing interest in Canadian whisky with a wealth of new high-end releases,” said de Kergommeaux as he revealed the winners. “Canadian Club released a 40-year-old whisky and Corby Distillers bottled a cask strength version of connoisseur’s favourite, Lot No. 40.”As the country's preeminent Canadian whisky competition, the independent and blind judging panel, served up some surprise honours to relative newcomers such as Saskatchewan’s Last Mountain distillery and Yukon’s Two Brewers which took home top spot as Microdistiller of the Year.Canadian distillers released more small-batch and luxury whiskies in 2017, than ever before. Corby Distillers, for instance introduced four new limited release whiskies, Forty Creek went back to first principles with a whisky named Heritage, and Collingwood released Double Barrel, a Canadian whisky made in an American style.If this year's record setting submissions are an indication, Canadian whisky fans have an extremely exciting 2018 to look forward to. Note to editors:About the Canadian Whisky Awards The Canadian Whisky Awards, held annually in conjunction with the Victoria Whisky Festival, recognize the very best Canadian whiskies and encourage distillers to maintain the highest quality standards. To qualify, the whisky must be distilled and matured in Canada. An independent panel of whisky experts selects the winners after tasting each whisky blind. Operated on a not-for-profit basis, the Canadian Whisky Awards are fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry.Photo caption:Corby Distillery team accept Whisky of the Year for JP Wiser’s 35 year old. L to r: Brand director Chris Bhowmik, Colin MacDougal, Spencer Gooderham, Co-host Heather Leary, Chair & Co-host Davin de Kergommeaux and Dave Mitton.Photo Credit: Jen SteeleAwardsWhisky of the year – Wiser’s 35Distillery of the Year – Hiram Walker & SonsMicrodistillery of the year – Two BrewersAward of Excellence Innovation – Lohin McKinnon Barley & Rye lightly peatedAward of Excellence Line Extension – Gibson’s Finest BoldAward of Excellence – best new whisky – Forty Creek HeritageConnoisseur whisky of the year domestic – Wiser’s 35Connoisseur whisky of the year multi-market – Caribou CrossingSippin whisky of the year domestic – Collingwood Town Collection Double BarreledSippin whisky of the year export – Crown Royal Hand Selected BarrelSippin whisky of the year – multimarket – Masterson’s 10 yoValue whisky – domestic – Highwood RyeValue whisky – multimarket – Crown Royal Northern Harvest RyeValue whisky export – Canadian MistFlavoured Domestic – Ceili’s Irish Cream / Wiser’s VanillaFlavoured Multi-market – Crown Royal VanillaLifetime Achievement – Vicky Miller - Black Velvet DistilleryLifetime Achievement – Rick Murphy - Alberta Distillers LimitedLifetime Achievement – Jim Stanski – Hiram Walker DistilleryGold MedalsCanadian Club 40 year oldCaribou Crossing Single BarrelCeili's Irish CreamCollingwood Town Collection Double BarreledCrown Royal Hand Selected BarrelCrown Royal Northern Harvest RyeCrown Royal VanillaCrown Royal XOForty Creek CreamGooderham & Worts Four GrainLast Mountain Cask StrengthLot No 40Lot No 40 Cask Strength 12 year oldMasterson's 10 year old RyeTwo Brewers Peated single maltWiser's 150th CommemerativeWiser's 35 year oldWiser's DissertationWiser's Last BarrelsWiser's Triple Barrel RyeWiser's Union 52Wiser's VanillaSilver MedalsCanadian Club Chairman's Select 100% RyeCrown Royal BlackCrown Royal Fine DeluxeCrown Royal Regal AppleCrown Royal Salted CaramelCrown Royal Wine Barrel FinishedCrown Royal XRDevine Spirits Quarter Cask Ancient GrainsFils du Roy - First New Brunswick single maltForty Creek Confederation Oak ReserveForty Creek HeritageGibson's Finest BoldGooderham & Worts Little Trinity Three Grain 17 year oldHighwood RyeHiram Walker Special OldLohin McKinnon Barley & Rye Lightly PeatedMount Logan 20 year oldPike Creek Finished in Speyside Single Malt Casks 21 year oldRoyal CanadianRoyal ReserveSaddleback Maple BaconTwo Brewers Classic Single MaltWiser's AppleWiser's ToffeeBronzeCanadian Club PremiumCanadian Club Small Batch Classic 12 year oldCanadian MistCollingwood Toasted Maplewood FinishCrown Royal Reservede Vine Glen Saanich Single MaltDillon's Rye Batch 1Dillon's Rye Batch 2Forty Creek Barrel SelectForty Creek Copper Pot ReserveForty Creek Double Barrel ReserveForty Creek SpikeGibson's 12 year old RareGibson's 18 year old VenerableGibson's Finest SterlingHigh RiverJP Wiser's Deluxe RyeLast Mountain Canadian WhiskyLast Mountain Prairie CherryLohin McKinnon Wine Barrel Finished single maltLohinMcKinnon Craft Distilled Single MaltMount Logan 15 year oldNinety 20 year old Oak Cask AgedNorth of 7 Single BarrelOdd Society Single maltPike Creek Rum Finish 10 year oldR&R ReserveShelter Point - Montfort District Lot 141 From Field to FlaskShelter Point Artisanal CaskShelter Point Double Barreled Single MaltStalk & Barrel Blue BlendStalk & Barrel Handmade 100% RyeStalk & Barrel Red BlendStalk & Barrel Single maltTwo Brewers Innovative single maltWhite Owl Spiced WhiskyWiser's 15 year oldWiser's 18 year oldWiser's Special Blend