Popular brands: Canadian Mist, Black Velvet, Rich & Rare
Popular brands: Canadian Mist, Black Velvet, Rich & Rare.
Canadian whisky is distilled from a fermented mash of wheat, corn, rye, and/or barley. Each ingredient accounts for less than 50% of the whisky’s formula. It is a common misconception that all Canadian whisky is straight rye whiskey. Canadian whiskies are blended. While they are made from a combination of grains, more corn is usually used than any other grain. Each distiller has their own recipe and proportions.
Most Canadian whiskies are light-bodied, slightly pale, and mellow. They have traditionally been popular because they are easy to mix. Most are bottled at eighty proof. According to United States regulations, Canadian whisky must be produced in Canada, must be aged at least three years in oak barrels, and must be a blend.
After aging, the product is dumped into large blending vats. Distillers blend whiskies of different batches and ages with grain spirits—twenty or more whiskies may go into one Canadian whisky. A blended whisky’s age is determined by the age of the youngest whiskey in the blend. After blending, the product is often returned to the barrel so the mixture can fully combine.
Some Canadian whiskies are bottled in Canada and then shipped to the U.S.; these tend to be more expensive and are often aged four years or more. Over half of the Canadian whisky consumed in the U.S. is shipped here in bulk (in barrels) and bottled domestically.