November 12 - 18, 2012
Vancouver's Premium
Whisky, Beer,
and Spirit Festival
Whisky, Beer,
and Spirit Festival
The Story of Whisky
Canadian whisky is grain spirit that has been aged in charred oak barrels for a minimum of three years. Obviously this barely scratches the surface of the complex process that is involved in "rye." Canadian whiskies generally get a spicy, bitter-sweet character from the rye component in the blend, and this is rounded off by the sweet vanillin's that barrel aging gives them. They are among the smoothest whiskies produced in the entire world.In making whisky, Canadian distillers commonly go through the following twelve separate steps. Essentially every other whisky producer, the Scots, Irish, or American, produce their whisky in the same way.
Canadians are still enjoying whisky two centuries after whisky first made an appearance in Canada. 1799 was the year that John Molson introduced the first whisky still to Canada. The original process of distilling in Canada was very similar to that used in making Scotch whisky due to the large number of central Canada's immigrants being originally from Scotland.Quality control standards were far below those of today but still, it had a very willing and eager market. Canadian whisky, over time has developed its own individual personality with its own characteristics and nuances. It is now known as one of the highest quality whiskies in the world.
By the 1840's over 200 distilleries were operating in the country and Canada was gaining recognition as a producer of high quality whisky. Prohibition dampened the 'spirits' a little in 1916 -1917 when alcohol production was limited to use for military purposes only. At that time, whisky and all other alcohol beverages were only permitted to be used for medicinal, scientific, mechanical, industrial or sacramental purposes. Prohibition was repealed in the United States of America in 1933 and suddenly the popularity of Canadian Whisky bounced back--legally. By the 1940's all Canadian provinces, with the exception of Prince Edward Island, had repealed Prohibition. The federal government of Canada enforces strict health, safety and quality standards on the Canadian Whiskey distilleries. This has helped Canadian Whiskey earn a reputation for exceptionally high quality whiskies and a unique taste.