Canadian whisky is a style of whisky that is distilled, aged, and bottled in Canada, known for its smooth, mellow character and versatile flavour profile. By law, it must be made from cereal grains, aged for a minimum of three years in wooden barrels no larger than 700 litres, and bottled at no less than 40% ABV. While often referred to as “rye whisky,” Canadian whisky doesn’t necessarily contain a high percentage of rye grain—this naming tradition stems from historical practices where even a small amount of rye added to corn-based whisky gave it a distinctive flavour. Most Canadian whiskies are blends, combining a high-proof base whisky—usually made from corn—with lower-proof flavouring whiskies that may include rye, wheat, or barley. This blending technique allows for a wide range of flavour expressions, from light and floral to rich and spicy. Canadian regulations also permit up to 9.09% of other aged spirits or flavourings to be added, giving distillers creative freedom to experiment with unique profiles.
