Exploring Excellence: A Guide to the Top Canadian Whiskies
If you love whisky, it’s time to check out the range of styles made up north in Canada. Within the past decade, Canadian whiskies have won numerous accolades, including World Whisky of the Year twice. Bottle Barn has a hand-curated selection of these Canadian gems for the next time you decide to buy whisky online.
Tremendous and enticing This versatility exists in Canadian whisky, which includes traditional rye-heavy expressions, creative barrel finishes, and a growing trend toward flavored options, particularly with brands like Crown Royal. Notable trends you will notice when you look at whisky online include:
Affordable Quality: Canadian whiskies tend to offer great value, with many premium expressions priced below $75, making them accessible compared to Scotch or Japanese whiskies.
Rye Dominance: Many of the higher-end whiskies like Masterson’s and Pendleton highlight the bold, spicy nature of rye.
Flavored Options: Crown Royal’s flavored offerings (apple and peach) appeal to a broader, perhaps less traditional whisky audience. These are priced affordably and are used mainly for cocktails or casual sipping.
Innovative Finishes: Products like Pike Creek’s rum finish and Bearface’s triple oak process highlight the innovation happening in the Canadian whisky scene, offering alternatives to more traditional aging methods.
Here's our roundup of the Canadian whiskies you will find at the best online liquor store, Bottle Barn, including some truly great values that will make more than a few Scotch whisky producers cringe.
Find the Best Under $25 Budget-Friendly Canadian Whiskies
Forty Creek Barrel Select Canadian Whisky (750ml, $19.99)
A great value whisky known for its balance and complexity, Forty Creek Barrel Select is a blend of rye, barley, and corn, aged in oak barrels. It delivers a smooth, accessible flavor profile with notes of caramel, vanilla, and fruit. Ideal for everyday sipping or mixing.
Crown Royal Apple Flavored Canadian Whisky (750ml, $23.99)
This flavored whisky boasts a strong apple infusion making it a crowd-pleaser for those who enjoy sweeter, fruit-driven whiskies. It's smooth and refreshing, often used in cocktails or enjoyed neat for a sweeter twist on traditional whisky.
Crown Royal Peach Flavored Canadian Whisky (750ml, $24.99)
Another flavored variant from Crown Royal, this peach-infused whisky is light, sweet, and perfect for summer cocktails. Its fruity profile appeals to casual whisky drinkers or those looking for something refreshing and different.
Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve Canadian Whisky (750ml, $24.99)
A richer, bolder version of the Forty Creek portfolio, the Copper Pot Reserve enhances the rye spice and oak flavors. It’s great for those who want an affordable yet robust whisky with layers of complexity.
Take It Up a Notch with Mid-Price Canadian Whisky Favorites
Pendleton 12 Year Canadian Rye Whisky (750ml, $29.99)
Aged for 12 years, this rye whisky offers a smooth and sophisticated sipping experience. Its notes of butterscotch, vanilla, and spice reflect its extended aging, making it a good choice for both seasoned and new whisky enthusiasts.
Bearface 7 Year Canadian Whisky (750ml, $32.99)
Bearface is known for its innovative finishing process. Aged for 7 years in hand-selected barrels, it showcases bold flavors of dried fruit, spice, and a hint of oak. This whisky pushes the boundaries of traditional Canadian whisky, appealing to those seeking something unique.
J.P. Wiser’s 15 Year Canadian Whisky (750ml, $39.99)
Aged for 15 years, J.P. Wiser’s is known for its smooth, mellow character, with a rich complexity that includes notes of dried fruit, spice, and a touch of vanilla. It’s an excellent choice for whisky connoisseurs who value long-aging processes at a reasonable price.
Crown Royal Reserve Blended Canadian Whisky (750ml, $42.99)
The Reserve version of Crown Royal offers a more refined experience, with richer flavors of dried fruit, toffee, and oak. It’s a step up from the standard Crown Royal, offering a more luxurious, smooth finish. Perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks.
Three Fingers High 12 Year Sherry Finished Canadian Whisky (750ml, $43.99)
This Canadian whisky that blends the boldness of 12-year aging with sweetness from sherry cask finishing. You will encounter notes of dried fruit, spice, and a rich, slightly sweet aftertaste. It’s perfect if you enjoy sherry-cask influence in whiskies.
Bottle Barn’s Canadian Whisky Premium Selections
Forty Creek Confederation Oak Canadian Whisky (750ml, $54.99)
A special release from Forty Creek, this whisky is aged in Canadian oak, giving it a unique flavor profile that blends rich vanilla, spice, and toasted oak. It’s a standout for whisky aficionados interested in Canadian terroir and oak influence.
Masterson's 10 Year Canadian Rye Whisky (750ml, $74.99)
Known for its bold rye character, Masterson’s 10 Year is made from 100% rye grain and aged in American oak. It’s complex, with layers of spice, citrus, and vanilla. A premium rye whisky that appeals to those seeking high-end Canadian expressions.
Beyond Sherry, There’s Other Specialty Finishes in Canadian Whisky
Pike Creek 10 Year Rum Finished Canadian Whisky (750ml, $29.99)
Pike Creek is aged for 10 years and finished in rum barrels. This whisky shines with tropical fruit notes, complemented by vanilla and oak. The rum finish adds a layer of sweetness and complexity, making it a great option for those who like whiskies with a sweeter edge.
Pike Creek says that this 10 year expression has matured in used bourbon barrels. It is then finished for several months in ex-rum casks. “Rich decadent aromas of brown sugar and vanilla on the nose, with notes of plums, toffee a rye spice, molasses, and oak. On the finish you’ll find subtle notes of citrus zest.”
Your liquor store California has a superb selection of Canadian whiskies! Let us know what you think. Please leave a comment below.
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