Canadian Club 43 has been named the best Canadian Whisky at the 2021 Canadian Whisky Awards. Nine independent Whisky experts named the 43-year-old offering from the Beam Suntory-owned brand “Whisky of the Year” at the eleventh annual edition of the competition.
The Whisky also took top honours as Connoisseur Whisky of the Year.
“This is truly a remarkable whisky, so deserving of the accolade,” said Davin de Kergommeaux, head judge and founder of the awards. “Canadian Club has been shortlisted for best whisky in past years, and for 2021, the judges awarded Canadian Club 43-year-old the highest overall score among over 130 Canadian whiskies entered in the competition.”
Other major winners include Pendleton Director’s Reserve which was named Connoisseur Whisky of the Year in the multi-market category. J. P. Wiser’s Triple Barrel Rye, which is a US exclusive, took home Sippin’ Whisky of the Year in the export-only category, while Gibson’s Finest Bold was named Sippin’ Whisky of the Year for the Canadian market.
J.P. Wiser’s 22-Year-Old Port Cask Finished claimed Cask Strength Whisky of the year, and the sensational Lot No. 40 Dark Oak was named Best New Whisky.
Windsor’s Hiram Walker Distillery was dubbed the 2021 Distillery of the Year, while Devine Distillery and Winery in Saanich, British Columbia was awarded Artisanal Distillery of the Year. Devine distiller, Ken Winchester received accolades for Lifetime Achievement in distilling. Shelter Point Distillery from Campbell River BC and Two Brewers from Whitehorse Yukon tied for Best Single Malt.
At the 2020 Canadian Whisky Awards, Pike Creek Oloroso-finished 21-Year-Old was named the Best Canadian Whisky.
Check out the complete list of winners below:
Canadian Whisky Awards
2021 Canadian Whisky of the Year is Canadian Club 43-Year-Old Chronicles – The Speakeasy
Connoisseur Whisky of the Year Domestic Market – Canadian Club 43-Year-Old Chronicles – The Speakeasy
Best Blended Whisky – Canadian Club 43-Year-Old Chronicles – The Speakeasy
Blender of the Year – Canadian Club Blending Team
Best Blended Whisky Highly Commended – J.P. Wiser’s 22-Year-Old Cask Strength Port Cask Finished
Connoisseur Whisky of the Year Multi-market – Pendleton Director’s Reserve
Sippin’ Whisky of the Year Domestic – Gibson’s Finest Bold
Sippin’ Whisky of the Year Export – Wiser’s Triple Barrel Rye (US)
Sippin’ Whisky of the Year Multi-market – Pendleton 1910 12-Year-Old
Whisky Value Domestic Market – Alberta Premium
Whisky Value Multi-market – Forty Creek Barrel Select
Cream Whisky – Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Salted Caramel
Flavoured Whisky – J. P. Wiser’s Old-Fashioned
Best Whisky Spirit – De Vine Wine and Spirits: Ancient Grains
Best Whisky Spirit – Highly Commended – Raging Crow Distillery: Can’t Call It B**rbon
Best Single Malt Whisky a tie: – Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Release 22 & Shelter Point Double Barrel #5
Best Single Grain Whisky – Trust Single Grain
Best Cask Strength Whisky – J.P. Wiser’s 22 Year Old Cask Strength Port Cask Finished
Best All-Rye Whisky – Alberta Premium Cask Strength
Best Corn Whisky – Last Straw sCorn (yes sCorn – made from malted corn)
Best Mixed Mash Whisky – Ancient Grains (Devine Distillery & Winery)
Best Wheat Whisky – Last Mountain Single Cask 100% Wheat Whisky
Award of Excellence – Innovation – Shelter Point Distillery (for peated whisky process)
Award of Excellence – Line Extension – Lot No. 40 Dark Oak
Award of Excellence – Best New Whisky – Last Straw Straight Ontario Rye Cask Strength
Distillery of the Year – Hiram Walker & Sons
Artisanal Distillery of the Year – Devine Distillery and Winery
Lifetime Achievement Award – Ken Winchester (on his retirement Devine Distillery and Winery)
Gold Medals
1. ALBERTA PREMIUM CASK STRENGTH RYE
2. ANCIENT GRAINS – Devine
3. BEARFACE ONE ELEVEN SERIES OAXACA AGAVE SPIRIT
4. CANADIAN CLUB CHRONICLES 43-Year-Old
5. CROWN ROYAL BLACK
6. FORTY CREEK BARREL SELECT
7. GIBSON’S FINEST BOLD 8-YEAR-OLD WHISKY
8. J P WISER’S OLD FASHIONED
9. J P WISER’S ALUMNI SERIES MARK MESSIER
10.J P WISER’S ALUMNI SERIES YVAN COURNOYER
11.J P WISER’S 22-YEAR-OLD CASK STRENGTH PORT CASK FINISHED
12.J P WISER’S 23-YEAR-OLD CASK STRENGTH
13.LAST MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY SINGLE CASK 100% WHEAT WHISKY
14.LAST MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY SINGLE CASK RYE WHISKY
15.Last Straw sCORN
16.Last Straw STRAIGHT ONTARIO RYE WHISKY CASK STRENGTH
17.LOT 40 DARK OAK
18.PENDLETON 1910 – 12-Year-Old
19.PENDLETON DIRECTOR’S RESERVE
20.SHELTER POINT DOUBLE BARREL #5
21.TWO BREWERS YUKON SINGLE MALT RELEASE 22
22.TWO BREWERS YUKON SINGLE MALT RELEASE 23
23.TRUST SINGLE GRAIN – The Liberty Distillery
24.WAYNE GRETZKY NO 99 SALTED CARAMEL CANADIAN CREAM WHISKY
Silver Medals
1. BEARFACE CANADIAN WHISKY TRIPLE OAK 7-YEAR-OLD
2. CANADIAN CLUB 100% RYE
3. CANADIAN CLUB CLASSIC 12-YEAR-OLD
4. CARIBOU CROSSING SINGLE BARREL
5. CROWN ROYAL RESERVE
6. CROWN ROYAL LIMITED EDITION 10 YR OLD
7. CROWN ROYAL NORTHERN HARVEST RYE
8. Devine – GLEN SAANICH SINGLE MALT WHISKY
9. Dubh Glas FIRE IN THE SKY CASK STRENGTH
10.EAU CLAIRE SINGLE MALT WHISKY BATCH 003
11.FORTY CREEK CONFEDERATION OAK RESERVE
12.FORTY CREEK COPPER POT RESERVE
13.GIBSON’S FINEST RARE CANADIAN WHISKY
14.Glen Breton – GHLEANN DUBH GAELIC FOR THE DARK GLEN
15.J P WISER’S SEVEN REBELS CANADIAN WHISKY
16.J P WISER’S WHEATFIELD GOLD WHISKY
17.J P WISER’S 18-YEAR-OLD
18.J P WISER’S DELUXE
19.J P WISERS ALUMNI SERIES DAVE KEON
20.J P WISER’S TRIPLE BARREL RYE
21.LAST MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY SINGLE CASK 2020 DISTILLERS SELECT WHISKY
22.LAST MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY SINGLE CASK RED WINE BARREL AGED WHISKY
23.LAST MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY CANADIAN WHISKY
24.LOT 40
25.MACALONEY’S CALEDONIAN PEATED MAC NA BRAICHE
26.MACALONEY’S CALEDONAIN OAKEN POITIN
27.MACALONEY’S CALEDONIAN GLENLOY SINGLE MALT WHISKY
28.MACALONEY’S CALEDONIAN INVERMALLIE SINGLE CASK STRENGTH
29.PIKE CREEK 10-YEAR-OLD RUM BARREL FINISHED
30.PIKE CREEK 15-YEAR-OLD CABERNET SAUVIGNON FINISH
31.ROYAL CANADIAN SMALL BATCH CANADIAN WHISKY
32.SEAGRAM’S 83
33.SHELTER POINT SINGLE CASK PEAT
34.SHELTER POINT SMOKE POINT 2
35.SHELTER POINT THE FORBIDDEN
36.SHELTER POINT SINGLE CASK VIRGIN OAK
37.SHERINGHAM DISTILLERY RYE
38.SIGNAL HILL WHISKY
39.STALK AND BARREL THREE BARREL CANADIAN WHISKY
40.TWO BREWERS YUKON SINGLE MALT RELEASE 20
41.TWO BREWERS YUKON SINGLE MALT RELEASE 19
42.TWO BREWERS YUKON SINGLE MALT RELEASE 21
43.TRUST SOUTHERN – The Liberty Distillery
44.WAYNE GRETZKY NO 99 MAPLE CASK WHISKY
45.WAYNE GRETZKY NO 99 ICE CASK WHISKY
46.WAYNE GRETZKY NO 99 NINETY-NINE PROOF WHISKY
47.WAYNE GRETZKY NO 99 RED CASK WHISKY
Bronze Medals
1. ALBERTA PREMIUM RYE
2. CANADIAN CLUB 1858
3. CANADIAN MIST
4. CAN’T CALL IT B**RBON
5. CAPITAINE SAINT SIMON – Fils du Roy
6. COLLINGWOOD
7. COMMODORE SINGLE MALT WHISKY – Odd Society
8. CROWN ROYAL FINE DELUXE
9. CROWN ROYAL XO
10.CROWN ROYAL VANILLA
11.CROWN ROYAL REGAL APPLE
12.DILLON’S RYE WHISKY
13.DILLON’S RYE 1
14.Dubh Glas – SMOKE ON THE WATER
15.EAU CLAIRE DISTILLERY RUPERT’S WHISKY
16.FORTY CREEK THREE GRAIN 2020
17.FORTY CREEK NANAIMO BAR
18.FORTY CREEK DOUBLE BARREL RESERVE
19.FORTY CREEK CREAM
20.FORTY CREEK SPIKE
21.FORTY CREEK RESOLVE
22.GIBSON’S FINEST STERLING
23.GIBSON’S FINEST VENERABLE 18-YEAR-OLD
24.GOODERHAM AND WORTS
25.GOODRIDGE AND WILLIAMS – 100% RYE GRAINS
26.GOODRIDGE AND WILLIAMS – HIGH RYE GRAINS
27.HIGH RIVER CANADIAN WHISKY – Sazerac
28.J P WISER’S 15-YEAR-OLD
29.J P WISER’S TRIPLE BARREL RYE WHISKY USA
30.J P WISER’S SPECIAL BLEND WHISKY
31.J P WISERS VANILLA WHISKY
32.J P WISERS APPLE WHISKY
33.KAVI RESERVE COFFEE BLEND CANADIAN WHISKY
34.LAST MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY SINGLE CASK CANADIAN RYE
35.LAST MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY LAKE COUNTRY COOP 80TH ANNIVERSARYT CANADIAN SINGLE BARREL WHISKY
36.Last Straw – STRAIGHT ONTARIO RYE WHISKY
37.LOHIN MCKINNON CHOCOLATE MALT SINGLE MALT
38.LOHIN MCKINNON BORDEAUX FINISHED PEATED SINGLE MALT WHISKY
39.LOHIN MCKINNON NIAGARA WINE BARREL SINGLE MALT WHISKY
40.MACALONEY’S CALEDONIAN PEATED DARACH BRAICHE
41.MACALONEY’S CALEDONIAN INVERMALLIE SINGLE CASK EX BOURBON
42.ODD SOCIETY BLENDERS RELEASE SINGLE MALT WHISKY
43.PROSPECTOR RYE WHISKY – Odd Society
44.SEAGRAM’S FIVE STAR
45.SEAGRAM’S VO
46.SHELTER POINT DISTILLERY – THE COLLECTIVE
47.SHELTER POINT PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
48.SHELTER POINT MONTFORT D1 151
49.SHELTER POINT ECHOES OF THE HEBRIDES
50.SIVO SELECTION RYE WHISKY
51.THE FORAGER BOTANICAL WHISKY
52.THE WILD NORTH – Mondia Alliance
53.TRUST ANCIENT GRAINS
54.TRUST CANADIAN RYE
55.WAYNE GRETZKY NO 99 CANADIAN CREAM WHISKY
