The International Spirits Challenge (ISC) is one of the most respected competitions in the drinks world. Each year, it evaluates thousands of entries from across the globe, awarding those that exemplify excellence in production and flavor. Canadian whisky has long flown under the radar internationally, but recent ISC winners show that the category is undergoing a quiet renaissance.
Below, we explore the best Canadian whiskies awarded by the ISC, diving into how they’re made, what they taste like, and who’s behind them.
What Is Canadian Whisky?
In Canada, the terms “Canadian whisky” and “rye whisky” have been used interchangeably for over a century, regardless of whether rye grain is actually used. Legally, Canadian whisky doesn’t have to be made from rye to be labeled as such. Most Canadian whiskies are actually blends that contain whiskies distilled from corn, rye, and malted barley.
That said, some producers, such as Alberta Distillers and Spirit of York, do create whiskies made from 100% rye grain. Others, like Collingwood, use a multi-grain mash bill dominated by corn.
Canada’s flexible regulations have also allowed for innovation, including finishing in unusual woods like maple. The result is a category that ranges from mellow and approachable to bold and complex.
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Collingwood Blended Canadian Whisky Toasted Maplewood Finished
Category: Canadian Whisky
Sub Category: Canadian Whisky
Produced in Collingwood, Ontario, at the Canadian Mist facility, this whisky brand is known for its maplewood finishing, something that this particular expression showcases.
Collingwood Blended Canadian Whisky Toasted Maplewood Finished uses a mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley, which is triple distilled. Once the mature whiskies have been aged in oak and blended, the whisky is then left in a vat containing maple staves for finishing.
Aromas of graham cracker, vanilla, and rose lead into a palate of marzipan, cereal grain, and soft baking spices. The finish is long, floral, and lightly malty.
In 2020, former owners Brown-Forman sold both the Collingwood brand and the Canadian Mist Distillery to Sazerac.
Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old
Category: Canadian Whisky
Sub Category: Rye
Award: Silver
This one bit of a mystery whisky, this Alberta Premium Golden Rye 9 Year Old is not listed on the brand’s website. However, it has been awarded accolades at both the International Spirits Challenge and the International Wine & Spirits Competition.
According to the IWSC website, the whisky is bottled at 45% ABV. I think it is safe to assume that it is also a 100% rye whisky, as it is these whiskies that Alberta Distillers has become known for.
The IWSC judges, who awarded this whisky 92 points and a silver medal, described the tasting notes as follows: “Aromas of creamy vanilla fudge, and bitter cherry intertwine with green herbs. Sumptuously textured and satisfying, it combines apricot jam with a delightful finish of honeycomb and peppery spice.”
Produced by Alberta Distillers in Calgary, a company renowned for its dedication to 100% rye whisky. Owned by Beam Suntory, the distillery has earned accolades including “Distillery of the Decade” at the Canadian Whisky Awards in 2020.
Alberta Premium Rye (Standard Edition)
Category: Canadian Whisky
Sub Category: Rye
Award: Silver
Also made from 100% rye grain, the standard Alberta Premium Rye is distilled using column and pot stills. It is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon, once-used bourbon, and charred American white oak barrels and bottled at 40% ABV.
Expect floral rye spice and orchard fruit on the nose, followed by vanilla, caramel, and a touch of white pepper on the palate. The finish is smooth and clean, with a light rye-driven dryness.
A mainstay in Canada for decades, Alberta Premium is often cited as the most widely recognized 100% rye whisky globally, and even claims to be one of the first distilleries in the world to produce a 100% rye whisky. The standard edition is approachable yet distinctly grain-forward.
Canadian Club 100% Rye
Category: Canadian Whisky
Sub Category: Rye
Award: Silver
Another Canadian whisky icon, in part thanks to Don Draper from AMC’s Mad Men, Canadian Club is a quintessential Canadian whisky and has seen incredible popularity in the USA.
According to the brand, Canadian Club 100% rye is “a whisky made for those who love rye.”
The nose features toasted grain and vanilla with soft spice. The palate offers creamy caramel, oak, and clove. The finish is long and clean, with gentle warmth and lingering vanilla.
Canadian Club was founded in 1858 and is one of the most historic whisky brands in the world. The 100% Rye expression represents a modern, rye-forward direction for the legacy brand.
Sortilège Canadian Rye Whisky (Maple Wood Finished)
Category: Canadian Whisky
Sub Category: Rye
Award: Silver
Produced by Les Spiritueux Ungava in Quebec, Sortilège is best known for its maple-infused spirits. This whisky (the first full-strength whisky for the brand) showcases their ability to bridge tradition and innovation without overwhelming sweetness.
Crafted with a high-rye mash bill that includes corn and barley, this whisky is aged for at least three years in custom oak barrels before being finished with toasted maplewood staves, not to be confused with the brand’s maple syrup liqueurs.
On the nose, you’ll find vanilla, maple sugar, and dried fruit. The palate balances fruitcake spice, cocoa, and a light bitterness. The finish is slightly smoky, with lingering spice and dry wood.
Spirit of York Distillery Co. Rye Whisky
Category: Canadian Whisky
Sub Category: Rye
Award: Silver
Made from 100% Ontario-grown rye, this whisky is a bold expression of Canadian craft distilling. Spirit of York mills, mashes, ferments, and distills everything on-site using a traditional copper pot still, allowing for greater control over flavor development and texture. The whisky is matured in new charred oak barrels and is bottled at 46% ABV.
The nose is layered with baked apple, freshly ground rye spice, and warm toffee. On the palate, it unfolds with a creamy texture, offering notes of caramel, dried apricot, clove, and a subtle grainy sweetness. The finish is long and warming, with lingering pepper, a touch of herbal dryness, and a faint echo of oak tannin.
Based in Toronto’s historic Distillery District, Spirit of York is a grain-to-glass microdistillery dedicated to transparency, locality, and traditional methods. Its commitment to using Ontario-grown grain and its small-batch approach reflect a broader resurgence of hands-on whisky-making in Canada.
Collingwood Double Barrel (Town Collection)
Category: Canadian Whisky
Sub Category: Canadian Whisky
Award: Gold
Also hailing from Collingwood, this limited release is made exclusively from rye-forward flavoring whisky. Initially aged in used oak, the whisky is then re-barreled into heavily charred new oak for additional structure and intensity. A final finish with toasted maplewood staves adds sweetness and smoothness. It is bottled at 45% ABV.
The nose is bold and layered, with blood orange zest, cedar, and dusty rye grain. The palate is dry and nutty, offering caramel, spice, and hints of bitter chocolate. The finish is long and peppery, with a touch of oak char and lingering citrus.
Collingwood Double Barrel launched as the first expression in the brand’s Town Collection: a series focused on innovation and small-batch craftsmanship. Designed for whisky enthusiasts, it blends boldness with refinement and was named Best Canadian Blended Whisky at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards.
What Will Be Your Next Canadian Whisky?
Canadian whisky is a broad church, encompassing everything from corn-based blends to pure rye grain expressions, and from silky smooth drams to robust, oak-driven bottles. The ISC’s top-rated whiskies reflect this diversity, and underline that Canadian producers are not just keeping pace with global trends, but setting some of their own.
So, do you agree with the judges at the ISC? Are there some whiskies missing from this list that you would give a Gold Medal to every time? Let us know in the comments below.
