> 2011 Thank Yous and Happy 2012
New Year’s 2012 thanks to Canadian whisky lovers and whisky makers, and to the promoters and sponsors of the Victoria Whisky Festival, Savour Stratford, The Spirit of Toronto, and Whisky Live, who have supported CanadianWhisky.org in 2011.
> 40 Creek – Malt Advocate’s Canadian Whisky of the Year
Hot on the heels of winning Connoisseur Whisky of the Year – Multiple Markets, in the 2010 Canadian Whisky Awards, Forty Creek Confederation Oak is now Malt Advocate’s Canadian Whisky of the Year.
> A First Peek at my Canadian Whisky Book
Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert, my Canadian whisky book, will be published May 8, 2012 by McClelland & Stewart and distributed by Random House.
> Alberta Whisky Cake
Packed to travel and sealed for freshness, The Alberta Whisky Cake, in malted maple and whisky runner chocolate, is a most toothsome ways for a traveler to remember Alberta.
> And the winner is – Canadian Whisky
Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert, written by Canadian author, Davin de Kergommeaux has been named Canada’s Best Spirits Book of 2012.
> Beam sells value Canadian whiskies to Luxco
Beam Inc. will sell Lord Calvert Canadian and Canada House Canadian whisky to Luxco.
> Book Event Features Wiser’s Canadian Whisky
Corby Distillers and the Globe and Mail, are co-sponsoring a high-end tasting event to draw attention to my book Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert. Sample Wiser’s Small Batch; Legacy; Pike Creek; and Lot 40.
> Bourbon Country’s Dynamite Dozen
Doug Philips has 999 bottles of bourbon in his collection and more on the way. Doug also appreciates malt whisky. Marty Kari is no slouch with single malts either. And both LOVE their bourbon.
> BÜZE Magazine goes live
BÜZE Magazine – the world’s first interactive all drinks publication is now available in the iTunes Store.
> Canadian Club & the Canadian Whisky Renaissance
Canadian Club readies for the Canadian whisky renaissance with two flavoured whiskies (spiced and blackberry) and two ready-to-drink versions, one based on cola and the other on ginger ale.
> Canadian Club Hide a Case in Tonga
Eight adventurers set off for The Kingdom of Tonga with leader and thirsty traveler Kevin Brauch in search of a case of Canadian Club whisky hidden there as part of the ‘Hide A Case’ brand promotion campaign.
> Canadian Club Whisky for the King of Tonga?
Queen Elizabeth II of England was the fifth in her line to grant a royal warrant (now withdrawn) to Canadian Club whisky. Will King George V of Tonga restore this honour to the much-storied distillery with his warrant?
> Canadian Feature in Whisky Magazine 98
Post-911 legislation forbids visitors to plants that ship goods into the U.S. by road, so visitors are not welcome at Canadian distilleries. Look inside Hiram Walker’s, Canadian Mist, Forty Creek, Valleyfield, and Glenora.
> Canadian Whisky – the Comeback Category
With Father’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to get dear ol’ dad some amazing new whisky from a long forgotten category. Think Caribou Crossing Single Barrel and Royal Canadian Small Batch.
> Canadian Whisky – The Portable Expert (Book)
Davin de Kergommeaux takes readers on a journey through the first systematic presentation of Canadian whisky: how it’s made, who makes it, why it tastes the way it does, its history, and the rich, centuries-old folklore surrounding it.
> Canadian Whisky at Chapters-Indigo For Father’s Day
Father’s Day shopping for the man who has everything just became a whole lot easier at Chapters and Indigo book stores. Canada’s nationwide bookseller is recommending Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert for fathers this year.
> Canadian Whisky Awards 2010
The Canadian Whisky Awards recognize the very best Canadian whiskies of 2010, including Wiser’s Legacy, Forty Creek Confederation Oak, Caribou Crossing, Canadian Club, Crown Royal Black, and White Owl Whisky.
> Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Brand Extension
Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Award of Excellence – Brand Extension. Diageo Canada, Crown Royal Black.
> Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Canadian Whisky Profile
Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Award of Excellence – Canadian Whisky Profile. Beam Global, Canadian Club.
> Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Connoisseur Whisky, Domestic
Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Connoisseur Whisky of the Year, Domestic Market. Wiser’s Legacy.
> Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Connoisseur Whisky, Export
Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Connoisseur Whisky, Export Market. Caribou Crossing Single Barrel.
> Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Connoisseur Whisky, Multi-Market
Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Connoisseur Whisky of the Year, Multiple Markets. Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve.
> Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Innovation
Canadian Whisky Awards 2010 – Award of Excellence – Innovation of the Year. Highwood Distillers, White Owl Whisky.
> Canadian Whisky Awards 2011
Canadian Whisky Awards 2011. Whisky of the year: Forty Creek John’s Private Cask No. 1. Canada’s award winning whiskies: Canadian Club, White Owl, Masterson’s, Gibson’s Finest, Wiser’s Small Batch, Wiser’s Legacy, & Collingwood. Special recognition to 20 successful years of Glen Breton.
> Canadian Whisky Awards 2012
Canada’s Top whiskies for 2012 honoured at Canadian Whisky Awards. – These are the best Canadian Whiskies of 2012.
> Canadian Whisky Book Best in World Finalist
From hundreds of new spirits books published in 2012, Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is one of five to compete for Best Spirits Book in The World at the Gourmand International Book Awards to be held in Paris February 23, 2013.
> Canadian Whisky Book Wins Gold
Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert has been selected as the Wine, Beer, or Spirits book of 2012 by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. The prize was announced at an awards ceremony held last night in San Francisco.
> Canadian Whisky Feature in Whisky Magazine #90
Western Canada whisky tour to Shelter Point, Victoria Spirits, the ghosts of Potter’s and Canadian Club west, Okanagan Spirits, Black Velvet, Highwood, Alberta Distillers, and Gimli
> Canadian Whisky of the Year – 2012
Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve – 2012 Edition from whisky maker, John K. Hall has been named Canadian Whisky of the Year in the 2012 Canadian Whisky Awards.
> Canadian Whisky Videos
A series of six videos from John Hall’s Kitting Ridge Distillery along with clips from Glen Breton, Wiser’s, Canadian Club, Black Velvet, Crown Royal, Still Waters, and Phillips of Revel Stoke fame. Laugh and learn!
> CARIBOU CROSSING TOASTS THE HOLIDAYS
Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Luxury Canadian Whisky is turning heads in the whiskey world; Gift box makes it ideal for the gift giving season (press release.)
> Changing the Guard at Constellation Brands Canada
Eric Morham, president of Constellation Brands’ Canadian business will retire and Ben Dollard, SVP International will succeed Morham in the leadership role. Constellation owns the Black Velvet and Danfield’s brands.
> Christmas Whisky for 2012
What a year 2012 has turned out to be! It seems that nearly every distillery had Christmas giving in mind when they came up with their new releases. Danfield’s, Black Velvet, Alberta Premium, Masterson’s, Highwood, Still Waters, Collingwood, Forty Creek, Lot 40, Pike Creek, Wiser’s, Gibson’s . . .
> Dave Broom Communicator of the Year
Whisky, rum and spirits expert, Dave Broom has been named top communicator of 2013 at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. A writer and educator, Broom is the world’s leading expert on whisky, rum and spirits.
> Dave Broom’s World Masterclass
Dave Broom, a contributing editor for Whisky Magazine, and a leading authority on whisky, rum, cognac and cocktails is introducing a comprehensive on-line whisky appreciation course called The World Masterclass. Here is an opportunity to tap into Broom’s vast knowledge.
> Dave Broom: The World Atlas of Whisky
To my knowledge, Dave Broom’s new book, The World Atlas of Whisky, is the first major whisky book to include a comprehensive chapter about Canadian whisky written by a Canadian whisky enthusiast.
> Dunedin DoubleWood- Ghost of Whisky Makers Past
From the vestiges of Seagram’s, and the world’s southern-most whisky producer, New Zealand’s rare and acclaimed Dunedin Distillery 10 year old DoubleWood has landed on LCBO shelves.
> Fifth Annual International Whisky Day – 2013
Let every whisky lover raise a dram – wherever in the world he or she may be – to honour the many unsung heroes, past and present, who have been crafting the King O’ Drinks for centuries.
> Five Myths about Irish Whiskey
Ask anyone in the Irish diaspora what distinguishes Irish whiskey, and you’ll get a lecture.They’ll rhyme off a whole list of things that make it special. But nine times out of ten, most of what they tell you will be wrong.
> Forty Creek Distillery
Kittling Ridge Estate Wines & Spirits, has re-branded as Forty Creek Distillery, effective August 2012.
> Forty Creek Gold Rush continues
Forty Creek whiskies continue their winning streak with double gold at the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Whisky maker, John Hall calls this his Forty Creek Gold Rush.
> Forty Creek Heart Of Gold 43%
Heart of Gold, a limited edition of 9,000, individually numbered bottles, will be available beginning September 28, 2013. Forty Creek fans may reserve their numbered bottles between Monday, May 27th and Friday, June 21st, 2013.
> Forty Creek John’s Private Cask No. 1
It’s a September tradition for Kittling Ridge Distillery to release a limited edition Forty Creek whisky and a May tradition for people to visit the Forty Creek website to sign up for a numbered bottle or two. This year’s release is called John’s Private Cask No. 1.
> Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve
John K. Hall, one of Canada’s best known whisky makers is set to reprise his limited bottling Port Wood Reserve. Reservations for this new batch open Monday May 7, 2012 and close one month later on June 7.
> Frequently asked whisky questions
I found an old bottle of whisky in my grandfather’s garage. How much is it worth? What is the best whisky in Canada? How much does a Texas Mickey cost? Does Canadian whisky have gluten in it?
> Gibson’s Finest 12 Year Old Wins Gold
The 2011 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) honoured Gibson’s Finest with three coveted awards. The Gibson’s Finest 12 Year Old earned the highest rating of all Canadian Whiskies taking home a Gold Award.
> Glen Breton Wins Prestigious Awards
Glenora Distillers, producer of Canada’s Most Famous Single Malt Whisky has been accorded highest awards in a series of recent international competitions.
> Happy New Year 2013 from CanadianWhisky.Org
No thanks, in 2013 I only drink Canadian!
Wishing everyone who visits CanadianWhisky.Org a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!
> Introducing Canadian Mist Black Diamond (43% alc./vol.)
Canadian Mist Black Diamond will launch in the United States later this month. – A richer, more robust expression of Canadian Mist is on the way.
> Introducing Collingwood Canadian Whisky
Introducing Collingwood Canadian Whisky, the only Canadian whisky mellowed in toasted maple wood. New from Brown-Forman February 2011.
> Introducing Crown Royal XR LaSalle
Crown Royal has introduced a new version of their XR Canadian whisky using the last remaining stocks from the long-defunct distillery in LaSalle Quebec. Who knew this whisky even existed?
> Introducing SinFire™ Cinnamon Whisky
Tapping into the growing trend of flavored whisky, Hood River Distillers, Inc. announces the launch of SinFire™ Cinnamon Whisky. The “SinFire” name instantly lets the drinker know they are in for a unique, sweet yet sizzling experience.
> Introducing Tap 357 Canadian Maple Rye Whisky
TAP 357 is a new premium maple-flavored Canadian rye whisky. This small-batch whisky is a marriage of two purely Canadian flavors: rye and maple. New in February 2012 from Van Gogh Imports in Orlando Florida.
> Introducing Wiser’s Whiskey For Austin Texas
Wiser’s DeLuxe Canadian Whiskey – Yes, McCormick Distilling Company is bringing the Canadian Whiskey legend to Texas.
> Kinclaith Distillery Profile
It’s safe to say there was no pagoda atop the Kinclaith Distillery, no quaint dunnage warehouses with earthen floors and blackened, low, stone walls. Kinclaith was part of a big, ugly, industrial complex. Yet in its 17 short years some much-sought-after Scotch malts were put to cask.
> Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off
According to The Fake AP Handbook you don’t spell whisky, you savour it. However, millions of know it alls would smugly disagree.
> Malt Maniacs, Canadian Food Blog Awards, & Happy 2011
Canadian Whisky has been nominated for a 2010 Canadian Food Blog Award in the Wine & Spirits category. So have Billy’s Best Bottles, Cellar Door, Vin Arts Enterprises, and The Jolly Inebriate. The winner is announced, January 31!
> Malt Whisky Yearbook 2012
The 2012 Malt Whisky Yearbook is rich in the latest single malt whisky information and is beautifully illustrated with more than 500 new colour photos of all of malt whiskydom.
> Malt Whisky Yearbook 2013
All in all – the most updated malt whisky book on the market!
> My Whisky Bookshelf
Since Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert was published people ask me more about writing than about whisky. My book blossomed after Dave Broom included me in his World Atlas of Whisky, and Dominic Roskrow in his two books, 1001 Whiskies to Taste Before You Die, and The Whisky Opus.
> Proof Whisky (42% alc./vol) – Canadian Whisky Preview
Introducing Proof Whisky, a new Canadian whisky from Toronto’s Proof Brands, that has been showing up quietly on LCBO shelves for the past couple of weeks.
> Return of the Chicken Cock
The new Chicken Cock whisky bears little resemblance to the original, but the name is so eye-catching it was only a matter of waiting until someone revived it.
> Rum War Threatens Small Caribbean Producers
Government-subsidized rum war threatens small Caribbean rum producers.
> Rye Whisky – A Genuine Canadian Cultural Product
Conservative James Bezan, MP for Selkirk-Interlake, today introduced a private member’s bill to reduce federal excise duties on spirits by $1.00 per litre of absolute alcohol. ★★★★★
> Sazerac Canadian Whiskies for Father’s Day
Sazerac encourages gift givers to go Canadian for Father’s Day 2012 with Royal Canadian Small Batch and Caribou Crossing Canadian whisky.
> Sazerac Introduces R&R Reserve Canadian Whisky
Sazerac Introduces R&R Reserve To Fast-Growing Rich and Rare Line Up –
The Way Great Canadian Whisky Used to Taste
> Seagram’s Museum Tasting Event January 29, 2013
The former Seagram museum in Waterloo, Ontario, will step back in time on January 29 to celebrate the home-coming of Seagram’s New Zealand whisky, a long-lost child of Canada’s former distilling empire.
> Shelter Point Cask Offer
Shelter Point Distillery is making history by releasing its inaugural Canadian Whisky Cask Offer to the public. Shelter Point makes traditional Scottish-style single malt on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
> Silver Medals for Hood River Distillers
Hood River Distillers, Inc. Scores Two Silver Medals in the Canadian Whisky Awards
1910 Rye Whisky and SinFire™ Cinnamon Whisky Earn Industry Acclaim
> Single Minded 2013 – The Book
Eight years ago, Johanna Ngoh founded the popular Spirit of Toronto whisky show, held each May at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. In 2002 she began publishing a whisky fanzine called Single Minded™. Single Minded™ is now back as Johanna’s full-colour, annual guide to really good whisky. Just $15.00.
> Still Waters Distillery
Long-time chums, Barry Bernstein and Barry Stein are making single malt Canadian whisky at their Still Waters distillery in Concord, Ontario. And now they have opened a shop at the distillery.
> Still Waters releases Stalk & Barrel Single Malt
Still Waters Distillery has released it’s first mature single malt whisky. Stalk & Barrel was drawn from the first few casks of whisky made at the distillery in 2009 and is bottled at natural cask strength.
> Still Waters Single Malt Vodka Wins Gold
What? Vodka on a whisky site? Yes, this is Still Waters Single Malt Vodka – it’s vodka made from the same spirit that is slowly maturing into Still Waters Single Malt Whisky. We thought you should know. ★★★★★
> The Essence of Canadian Rye
Follow canadianwhisky.org as it Goes on the Road to Find the Essence of Canadian Rye Whisky Tasting Old Crown Royal, WhistlePig, Lot 40, and Wiser’s Legacy.
> The Trouble With Tradition
Whisky making traditions have changed radically over the years. Take your pick and you can prove just about anything is traditional (or isn’t.)
> The Twelve Whiskies of Christmas
Thirteen favourite Canadian Whiskies to make Christmas 2011 just that much more special: Canadian Club, Collingwood, Crown Royal, Royal Canadian Small Batch, White Owl, Pendleton, Danfield’s Alberta Premium, Wiser’s, Masterson’s, Forty Creek, Gibson’s, & Glen Breton.
> Twitter Tasting & Book Review Week 3 #DavinTT
Join whisky fans from around the globe on Twitter this Sunday, May 19, at 3:00 Eastern time as they discuss Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert, and raise a dram of Canadian whisky. Go to #DavinTT on Twitter at 3:00 Eastern time this Sunday to take part.
> Twitter Tasting & Book Review Week Two
Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert, book review and Canadian whisky tasting on Twitter at 3:00 Eastern time, Sunday. May 12, 2013. Join us on Twitter at #DavinTT
> What would Sir John A. MacDonald Drink?
There was plenty of good whisky around in his time. So what was Sir John A.’s tipple? What was his drink of choice? Rye? Champagne? Gin? Read on.
> Whisky Whisdom from Canadian Club
Whimsical “whisdom” from Canadian Club: Never send beer to do a whisky’s job; Everything in moderation. Except bacon; Drafts are best suited for fantasy football – order a Canadian Club Whisky.
> WhistlePig 10 year old Straight 100% Rye Whiskey
Dave Pickerell is a true icon of the American whisky industry so when he declares Canada as the source of the world’s very best rye whisky, that’s news to be shouted from the rooftops.
> WhistlePig Farms Is Not A Distillery
There are two kinds of distillers: Those who make whisky, and those who pretend to make whisky. Why do the people who bottle WhistlePig insist on pretending it’s American straight rye?
> Wills & Kate’s Honeymoon Cocktail
To mark the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey today, William Grant & Sons mixologist, Charlotte Voisey, has created a honeymoon cocktail featuring Gibson’s Finest Canadian Whisky.
> Wiser’s Legacy ultra premium rye – press release
Expertly crafted, blended to perfection and made in Canada – an ideal gift for the whisky enthusiast. Available in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia in time for Christmas.
> Wiser’s Legacy Canadian Rye Whisky (45% alc./vol.)
John Philip Wiser, distiller. Born October 4, 1825, Trenton, New York; died April 30, 1911, Prescott, Ontario. Legacy: Wiser’s family of great Canadian whiskeys and now a brand new one.
> Wiser’s Legacy wins in World Whiskies Awards
Wiser’s Legacy has won Canadian Whisky of the Year in Whisky Magazine’s fifth annual World Whiskies Awards.
Looking for over 5 yrs+ for your Gold Tassel in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Il. Is there some store around me. Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove. e-mail gqr-rich@sbcglobal.net
Hi Richard,
Sorry, that is an old bottle. Silk Tassel is still in production but Gold Tassel has been discontinued for some time. They still show up on e-Bay every now and then and are not too expensive.
I have a bottle of Old Canada Canadian Whisky (8 years) from McGuinnes. 1966 Bottle, still unopened. Is that worth anything???
I paid about $40 for a bottle last year. You might get a little bit more if you find the right purchaser, but Old Canadian whisky does not really go up that much in value.
I have a bottle of 1978 6 year old silk tassel, my question is will it still be good if I open it and want to drink it.
If the level is good and the bottle is still sealed it should be fine. The value has not gone up very much so go ahead and enjoy it.
Have a bottle of 1965 Mcguiness Commemoration Canadian Whisky special edition sealed 1 of 250 made to celebrate 1million case sale.Presented to employees in 1973, Personalized and signed by both President and Chairman. Could you give value please
This is a nice keepsake for the employees but there is no market for these old bottles so the value is very low. You might get $100 if you can find a buyer Most likely much less. Your best bet is to crack it open and share it with friends or family on a special occasion.
A friend has a 1964 Bottle of Unopened Silk Tassel and says an auction house told her it’s worth $13,000. She said only 21 bottles were made and only 17 were sold to commemorate the McGuinesses grand-daughters 21st birthday.
I heard whisky doesn’t go up drastically in price, but if there were only a few made, is there any truth to it?
Thanks in advance for your reply
People only collect VERY well known high-end brands. A very rare old Crown Royal might go for $250. McGuinness is not well known and not high end. The bottle is worth less than $100 so if she has someone who will auction it for $13,000 she should jump at the opportunity but not be surprised if there are no bidders. Old Scotch may sell for a lot more money because there is a broad collector base and it is a very well known quantity. Canadian whisky, not so much. The expensive bottles have a very well-known provenance and someone usually generates a lot of pre-sale publicity for them. Some people believe that companies buy these themselves just to keep their up image as an exclusive brand. Old Canadian whisky is wonderful to find and to drink but people should not get their hopes up of making a windfall. It just does not happen.
Even if there were only 21 bottles made?
Thanks again
Hi, I am not an expert in valuing old whisky. I base my assessments on prices I have seen over the years. Sad to say, Canadian whisky is not collectable so does not command high prices. If there is an auctioneer willing to set a $13,000 reserve, make haste and go for it. The real value is established by a willing buyer and a willing seller and if your auctioneer can find buyers with deep pockets to bid on it, then your friend should do us all a favour and set the new market price. If it goes for more than $100 I would be very grateful if you’d let me know.
Thanks for your opinion Davin. You may not be an expert but you sound like you know what you’re taking about and are more aware of the prices than I am. I believed it a nice keepsake, but I suspected it wasn’t worth much.
I will post here if anything comes of it.
You’ve been very helpful.
My pleasure, Neeta, and yes, please do let me know if it ends up being worth more.
I’ve been buying Orange Brandy..the liquor store told me ..it’s obsolete now..Is that true. It’s my favorite drink
Sorry, I have no idea. Why not try a few other stores?