As the landscape of world whisky continues to expand, Canada has once again proved its aptitude and versatility when it comes to Canadian whisky. Today, as part of my Best Whiskies series, I will be taking a closer look at the Gold Medal-winning Canadian whiskies at the 2024 International Spirits Challenge (ISC). As we head into 2025, keep an eye on these award-winning producers.
The International Spirits Challenge, one of the most authoritative spirits competitions globally, has awarded gold medals to several Canadian whiskies in its 2024 judging. Leading the winners is Alberta Premium, which holds the distinction of being the world’s best-selling 100% rye whisky, alongside five other gold medal recipients that showcase Canada’s diverse whisky-making traditions. Let’s get into it.
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Alberta Premium Canadian Rye Whisky
Medal: Gold
Category: American/Canadian Whiskey – Canadian Rye Whiskey
Tasting Notes: Banana, toffee, light spice, mellow, smoky vanilla
BUY NOW: $28
Alberta Premium is, according to the brand website, “The No.1 selling 100% rye whisky in the world.” Distilled from a 100% rye mash bill and bottled at 40% ABV, Alberta Premium is perhaps the most famous rye to come out of Canada.
The whisky, aged for a minimum of 5 years, is a multi-award-winning expression from Alberta Distillers. Established in 1946, Alberta Distillers is known as ‘The Home of Canadian Whisky’.
Notably, the brand focuses entirely on rye whisky, which is unusual for any brand. Though the brand primarily serves the Canadian market, its products have become sought after globally, with its flagship Alberta Premium expression having fans around the world.
Alberta Premium Batch 10 Legacy Reserve
Medal: Gold
Category: American/Canadian Whiskey – Canadian Rye Whiskey
Tasting Notes: Dark chocolate, oak, dried prunes, pear, banana, espresso, toffee
BUY NOW: Currently only available in Canada
Alberta Distillers is proud of its rye whisky legacy, believing that the rye whiskies distilled by the company during its early years are a testament to the quality of Canadian rye. This is embodied in the Alberta Premium Batch 10 Legacy Reserve.
This whisky contains hand-selected, aged rye that was laid down in 2001 and blended each year by the blenders at Alberta Distillers. The bottle contains whisky from 10 different warehouses across the company’s 42-acre site.
From my research, it seems as if this expression is only available in Canada as an exclusive, one-time release.
Upon the product’s launch, Deepti Gurkar, National Marketing Director & Global Canadian Whisky at Suntory Global Spirits, said: “Batch 10 Legacy Reserve is a true testament to the patience, persistence, and rye expertise Alberta Distillers is known for. Alberta Distillers spirits have been celebrated globally as the pinnacle of honest Canadian craft for over 75 years, often celebrated as the gold standard. Batch 10 showcases the best of the best of a decade, holding true to exacting standards for unparalleled craftsmanship and quality.”
Black Velvet Reserve
Medal: Gold
Category: American/Canadian Whiskey – Canadian Blended Whiskey
Tasting Notes: Nutty, malty, spice, mellow grain, wood
BUY NOW: $8.99
Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, owned by Heaven Hill, was first introduced in 1951. Originally, the brand was named ‘Black Label’. However, according to Heaven Hill “Jack Napier, the original distiller, sampled the first batch, he changed the name to Black Velvet to reflect its uncommon velvety taste and smoothness.” It is also worth noting, though, that Johnnie Walker Black Label was already an established expression at this point in time.
The whisky is a blend of rye, grains, and corn, blended at birth and aged in oak. This particular expression is aged for 8 years before bottling. This expression constitutes a step up from the brand’s incredibly popular 3 Year Old expression.
Canadian Club Classic 15 Year Old Sherry Cask
Medal: Gold
Category: American/Canadian Whiskey – Canadian Blended Whiskey
Tasting Notes: Toffee, spice, subtle sweetness, mellow wood
BUY NOW: N/A
Canadian Club is an extremely popular Canadian whisky brand across the world. This expression is part of the Invitation Series. The blended whisky was a one-time release intended to build upon the profile of the Canadian Club Classic 12 Year Old with extra maturation in Oloroso sherry casks.
The Invitation Series, launched in 2023, offers unique expressions designed to entice whisky enthusiasts to explore Canadian Club’s rich heritage. This is release no.1 in the series, with no.2 being an 18 Year Old High Proof expression.
Canadian Club is a historic whisky brand established in 1858 by Hiram Walker in Windsor, Ontario. Known for its smooth, light profile, it quickly gained international recognition, especially during Prohibition when it was smuggled into the U.S. Its signature blend of corn, rye, and barley malt is aged in white oak barrels, resulting in a balanced and approachable flavor.
Gibsons Bold 8 Year Old
Medal: Gold
Category: American/Canadian Whiskey – Canadian Blended Whiskey
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, spiced apple, oak, rich rye
BUY NOW: $31.99
Gibson’s Finest Bold 8 Year Old is a Canadian whisky introduced in 2016 by William Grant & Sons. Crafted by Master Blender Brian Kinsman, it is designed to stand out in mixed drinks, particularly with cola. It promises to deliver “Canada’s boldest rye & cola,” according to PMA Canada.
The whisky is a blend of corn-based base whisky and rye and malted barley flavoring whiskies, aged for eight years in a combination of used bourbon barrels and virgin oak casks before bottling at 46% ABV.
William Grant & Sons is a family-owned scotch whisky distiller founded in 1887 in Dufftown, Scotland. Known for brands like Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, and Hendrick’s Gin, the company combines tradition with innovation. It remains one of the largest independent whisky producers, exporting premium spirits globally while maintaining its family-led ethos.
Pendleton 1910 Canadian Rye Whisky
Medal: Gold
Category: American/Canadian Whiskey – Canadian Rye Whiskey
Tasting Notes: Nutmeg, cloves, dried pineapple, apples, dried cherries, nutty toffee, tart cherry
BUY NOW: $35
Back to a 100% rye expression, we have this 12 Year Old from Pendleton Whisky. Distilled from Canadian-grown rye grains and matured in oak for 12 years, this expression is renowned for its sweet notes and fiery kick. It is bottled at 40% ABV, and joins Pendleton 1910 Bourbon in the brand’s core range.
Pendleton Whisky was established in 2003 to honor the American cowboy. The name “1910” honors the inaugural year of the Pendleton Round-Up. It is presented in a distinctive 750ml bottle adorned with intricate embossed details, evoking the craftsmanship of saddle tooling, and prominently showcasing the iconic Pendleton Round-Up bucking horse.
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*NOTE: Please note that the spelling of “whiskey” in the ‘Category’ section of each winner is spelled as written by the International Spirits Challenge. Canadian whisky is usually spelled without the ‘e’.
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