Canadian whisky sits at a historic crossroads.
A much-publicized feud between the Donald Trump administration and Canadian officials has positioned exports like maple syrup, crude oil and liquor as unlikely pawns in a geopolitical game.
Though the threat of tariffs has taken a brief hiatus thanks to a 30-day pause, the potential for disaster still rumbles like thunder through the air. The U.S. accounted for 77% of Canada's goods exports in 2023 alone — equivalent to roughly $414 billion. The country's businesses are now left with little to do but hold their breath and wait until Trump's next late-night Truth Social post.
But some of the damage has already been done. Last week, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario followed through on its promise to remove all American alcohol from its shelves. The LCBO is responsible for distributing alcohol to nearly 40% of Canada's population, pulling in a gross revenue of $7.4 billion in 2023. When customers arrive at its stores, they now find red-and-white signs that declare, "Buy Canadian Instead." It's a defiant message against an existential threat. Were tariffs to be placed on Canadian goods, it would be the most substantial blow to the country's liquor industry since Congress passed the National Prohibition Act in 1919.
In light of troublesome times, we figured we'd answer the question. Which Canadian brands should you buy instead?
Found North
(Photo: Found North)
If you've got a few bucks to spare, Found North is hands down the best Canadian whisky money can buy. This recent addition to the market was launched by brothers Nick and Zach Taylor in 2021. The duo envisioned a brand that could appeal to bourbon drinkers and Canadian whisky fans alike, one that could incorporate the best blends of corn and rye alongside unique cask finishes rarely seen in the Great White North. In just a few short years, the Taylors have accomplished these goals and then some.
Rather than focus on a flagship product, Found North releases a handful of numbered batches each year that flirt with various age statements and blisteringly high ABVs. A recent favorite of ours was Batch #008, a blend of 18- and 26-year whiskies aged in an intricate combination of Madeira, new Amercian, ex-bourbon and Hungarian oak barrels. The end result, bottled a few notches above hazmat-proof, oozed rich and viscous flavors of raspberry, buttercream, baking spice and caramel alongside a brûlée finish. Batch #007 was equally excellent, trading the sweetness of its successor for punchy flavors of clove, Hungarian oak and currants.
We've tried nearly all the brand's batches to date and have yet to find one that disappoints. These preeminent blenders of Canadian whisky have narrowed in on a winning, additive-free formula well worth inclusion in any discerning drinker's collection.
Crown Royal
[caption id="attachment_70665" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Crown Royal)[/caption]
At this point in its life cycle, Crown Royal is less a whisky than it is an all-encompassing franchise. The legacy brand has spawned countless flavored expressions, decades-old whiskies, pre-mixed cocktails, a surprise foray into the single malt category and even a Super Bowl ad starring Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl. Crown Royal is to Canada what Jack Daniel's is to Tennessee; a ubiquitous name that won't stop dominating the market anytime soon.
Slightly less known is its origin story. The whisky was introduced in 1939 by Samuel Bronfman, president of Seagram, as a gift to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their royal tour of Canada. So the story goes, the royal train was gifted 10 cases of the newly minted whisky for gifts and receptions across the country. Each bottle was parceled inside a gold-and-purple bag paying homage to the royal colors, the same bag that many of the brand's whiskies are still sold in to this day.
Over the decades, Crown Royal has become especially synonymous with its flavored whiskies, particularly fruit-centric expressions like its Blackberry, Apple and Peach. Though the brand has never disclosed the exact breakdown of its portfolio, a lion's share of the nine million cases it sells per year are almost certainly filled with these decadently sweet cult favorites. They're the kinds of whiskies that fans will spend thousands of dollars on to complete their collection. Take a peek on Reddit and you'll see just how deep the Crown Royal rabbit hole goes.
If flavored whiskies aren't you're thing (we don't blame you), check out more conventional selections like the brand's Reserve and Northern Harvest Rye.
Pendleton
[caption id="attachment_33635" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: Pendleton)[/caption]
Though ostensibly as American as could be, Pendleton is a blended Canadian whisky bottled by Hood River Distillers in Oregon.
The brand derives its name from the eponymous Pendleton Round-Up, an annual rodeo held in the northeastern city of Pendleton, Oregon each year since 1910. The rodeo — itself named after 1864 Vice Presidential candidate George H. Pendleton — attracts nearly 50,000 people to the city during the second week of September every year. In its honor, you'll find a crimson-red cowboy logo stamped onto each bottle of the brand's liquor.
Sifting through its catalog, there are a few Pendleton expressions that stand out from the pack. For a more affordable option, we'd go with the brand's 1910 12-Year Canadian Rye. Noted by critics for its subtle spice and sweetened hints of brown sugar, butterscotch and cola, the whisky currently holds a Raided Score® of 86. For something on the opposite end of the price spectrum, check out Pendleton 20-Year Director's Reserve. In keeping with its Canadian roots, the whisky is awash with aromas and flavors of maple, eventually giving way to a distinct balance of pipe tobacco, fig and apple butter. Check out our review here.
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(Photo: Crown Royal)[/caption]
At this point in its life cycle, Crown Royal is less a whisky than it is an all-encompassing franchise. The legacy brand has spawned countless flavored expressions, decades-old whiskies, pre-mixed cocktails, a surprise foray into the single malt category and even a Super Bowl ad starring Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl. Crown Royal is to Canada what Jack Daniel's is to Tennessee; a ubiquitous name that won't stop dominating the market anytime soon.
Slightly less known is its origin story. The whisky was introduced in 1939 by Samuel Bronfman, president of Seagram, as a gift to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their royal tour of Canada. So the story goes, the royal train was gifted 10 cases of the newly minted whisky for gifts and receptions across the country. Each bottle was parceled inside a gold-and-purple bag paying homage to the royal colors, the same bag that many of the brand's whiskies are still sold in to this day.
Over the decades, Crown Royal has become especially synonymous with its flavored whiskies, particularly fruit-centric expressions like its Blackberry, Apple and Peach. Though the brand has never disclosed the exact breakdown of its portfolio, a lion's share of the nine million cases it sells per year are almost certainly filled with these decadently sweet cult favorites. They're the kinds of whiskies that fans will spend thousands of dollars on to complete their collection. Take a peek on Reddit and you'll see just how deep the Crown Royal rabbit hole goes.
If flavored whiskies aren't you're thing (we don't blame you), check out more conventional selections like the brand's Reserve and Northern Harvest Rye.
(Photo: Pendleton)[/caption]
Though ostensibly as American as could be, Pendleton is a blended Canadian whisky bottled by Hood River Distillers in Oregon.
The brand derives its name from the eponymous Pendleton Round-Up, an annual rodeo held in the northeastern city of Pendleton, Oregon each year since 1910. The rodeo — itself named after 1864 Vice Presidential candidate George H. Pendleton — attracts nearly 50,000 people to the city during the second week of September every year. In its honor, you'll find a crimson-red cowboy logo stamped onto each bottle of the brand's liquor.
Sifting through its catalog, there are a few Pendleton expressions that stand out from the pack. For a more affordable option, we'd go with the brand's 1910 12-Year Canadian Rye. Noted by critics for its subtle spice and sweetened hints of brown sugar, butterscotch and cola, the whisky currently holds a Raided Score® of 86. For something on the opposite end of the price spectrum, check out Pendleton 20-Year Director's Reserve. In keeping with its Canadian roots, the whisky is awash with aromas and flavors of maple, eventually giving way to a distinct balance of pipe tobacco, fig and apple butter. Check out our review here.
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