All Rye Whisky Winners From The Canadian Whisky Awards 2026

Which Canadian distilleries are mastering the art of 100% rye whisky? The 2026 Canadian Whisky Awards reveal the producers setting new standards for this iconic style.
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All Rye Whisky Winners From The Canadian Whisky Awards 2026

The 100% rye whisky winners at the Canadian Whisky Awards 2026 underline just how central rye remains to Canada’s whisky identity. Long associated with structure, spice, and balance, rye continues to be a proving ground for both established producers and newer distilleries refining their approach to flavour-driven Canadian whisky.

This year’s results reflect a broad spectrum of styles, from classic, approachable rye whiskies to more assertive cask strength and barrel-finished expressions. As domestic interest in Canadian whisky grows and international attention continues to build in key markets such as the United States and Europe, rye remains one of Canada’s most recognisable and export-ready whisky styles.

The table below presents the full list of medal-winning 100% rye whiskies from the Canadian Whisky Awards 2026, highlighting the producers setting the standard for Canadian rye today.

Quick whisky question

Single malt is everywhere, but what does it mean? We want to know what the word “single” means to you. Three quick questions, under a minute.

Which stages must take place at the same distillery for a whisky to be called “single malt”?

Tick as many as you like

or

Must the barley in a single malt be grown in the same country the whisky is made in?

How would you describe your whisky knowledge?

You can read all results at canadianwhiskyawards.com.

Whisky Category Medal
Alberta Premium 9 Y/O 100% rye Gold
John Sleeman & Sons Pedro Ximenez Finished 100% Rye Whisky 100% rye Gold
Lot No.40 Dark Oak Canadian Whisky 100% rye Gold
Patent 5 Distillery 100% Rye – Cask Strength 100% rye Gold
Sons of Vancouver Distillery ‘Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze’ Caribbean Cask Rye 100% rye Gold
Sons of Vancouver Distillery Realms of Rye – Release 03 ‘Menthol and Evergreen’ 100% rye Gold
Wild Life Distillery WLD Cask King of the North 100% rye Gold
Alberta Premium Cask Strength 10 Y/O 100% rye Silver
Baldur’s Whisky Baldur’s Release no.002 – Straight Rye 100% rye Silver
Durham Distillery Firehouse Spirits – Canadian 100% Rye Whisky – Rum Cask Finish 100% rye Silver
GrainHenge Whisky Arrowwood 100% rye Silver
Odd Society Spirits Rye Whisky 100% rye Silver
Stillhead Distillery Inc. Sherry Cask Rye Whisky 100% rye Silver
Alberta Premium 100% rye Bronze
Alberta Premium Batch 10 100% rye Bronze
Banff Whisky 100% rye Bronze
Canadian Club 100% Rye 100% rye Bronze
John Sleeman & Sons The Cooper’s Rye Whisky 100% rye Bronze
Last Straw Distillery Corp. Blended Rye 100% rye Bronze
Lot No. 40 Single Copper Pot Still Canadian Whisky 100% rye Bronze
Lot No. 40 Oloroso Cask Canadian Whisky 100% rye Bronze
Macaloney’s 100% Rye Whisky, matured in Portuguese red wine barriques 100% rye Bronze
Odd Society Spirits Prospector BC Rye 100% rye Bronze
Pendleton Canadian Whisky Pendleton 1910 Rye 100% rye Bronze
Ropers Hold 20yr Canadian Rye Whisky batch 1 100% rye Bronze
Stillhead Distillery Inc. Garry Oak Rye Whisky 100% rye Bronze
Tumbleweed Spirits Inc Rock Creek Rye 100% rye Bronze

Beth Squires

Beth Squires is the Deputy Editor of The Whiskey Wash with over half a decade of industry experience. She possesses comprehensive knowledge of the global whisky landscape, spanning everything from heritage and production to complex market analysis. A graduate of the OurWhisky Foundation’s Atonia Programme, which champions women in whisky, Beth is a dedicated advocate for diversity and sustainability, focused on highlighting the innovation and storytelling that define the modern whisky industry.

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