The 2024 Canadian Whisky Awards, held in Victoria, B.C., celebrated Paradigm Spirits from London, Ontario, as it clinched the Canadian Whisky of the Year title with its 2022 Heritage Collection.
This 19-year-old blended whisky, distinguished for its maturity and flavour, stood out among nearly 200 entries in a rigorous blind tasting by a panel of 10 judges.
“This is remarkable whisky,” said Davin de Kergommeaux, chair of the judging panel and author of Canadian Whisky: The Essential Portable Expert, in a news release.
“Long maturation in oak imbues it with sublime complexity and elegance, while meticulous blending animates its fresh, fruity top notes.”
The Canadian Whisky Awards, now in their 14th year, recognize excellence in various categories.
Corby Spirit and Wine Snags Multiple Wins at the Canadian Whisky Awards (CNW Group/Corby Spirit and Wine Communications)
Other notable winners included J.P. Wiser’s 18 Year Old for Corn Whisky of the Year, LMD Whisky’s Release no.0005-Straight Wheat for Wheat Whisky of the Year, and GrainHenge Arrowwood for both Rye Whisky and Best New Whisky of the Year. Single Malt Whisky of the Year went to Two Brewers Release 41, while Wayne Gretzky Distillery’s No.99 Maple Cask Whisky was honoured as the Blended Whisky of the Year.
Additionally, awards were given for Best Barrel Finished, Cask Strength, Line Extension, Limited Expression, Single Barrel Release, and whiskies aged across various years. The event also celebrated whiskies in specialized categories like Mixed Mash, Whisky Spirit, Alternative Grain, Flavoured, and Cream Whisky of the Year.
The awards serve not only as a benchmark for quality but also highlight the diversity and innovation within the Canadian whisky industry. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals were awarded across a wide range of distilleries, showcasing the growing excellence and variety in Canadian whisky.
Whiskies of the Year
- Canadian Whisky of the Year – Paradigm Spirits 2022 Heritage Collection
- Corn Whisky of the Year – J.P. Wiser’s 18 Year Old
- Wheat Whisky of the Year – LMD Whisky Release no.0005-Straight Wheat
- Rye Whisky of the Year – GrainHenge Arrowwood
- Single Malt Whisky of the Year – Two Brewers Release 41
- Blended Whisky of the Year – Wayne Gretzky Distillery No.99 Maple Cask Whisky
- Mixed Mash Whisky of the Year – Crown Royal Aged 30 Years
- Whisky Spirit of the Year – DEVINE Distillery Ancient Grains ‘Young Whisky’
- Alternative Grain Whisky of the Year – Last Straw Distillery Rice Whisky
- Flavoured Whisky of the Year – Crown Royal Golden Apple Aged 23 Years
- Cream Whisky of the Year – Forty Creek Original Cream
Category Best Whiskies
- Best Barrel Finished Whisky – Wayne Gretzky Distillery No.99 Maple Cask Whisky
- Best Cask Strength Whisky – Stillhead Distillery Rye Whisky – PX Cask Finish
- Best Line Extension – Canadian Club 15 Year Old Invitation Series
- Best New Whisky – GrainHenge Arrowwood
- Best Limited Expression – J.P. Wiser’s Wood Series 13 Year Old Hickory
- Best Single Barrel Release – Stillhead Distillery Rye Whisky – PX Cask Finish
- Best Whisky Aged 8 Years or Under – GrainHenge Arrowwood
- Best Whisky Aged 9-15 Years – Pendleton 1910
- Best Whisky Aged Over 15 Years – Crown Royal Aged 30 Years
- Best Whisky No Age Statement – Wayne Gretzky Distillery No.99 Maple Cask Whisky
For winners in Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories, Canadian Whisky Awards website.