The Best Whiskies According To The Whisky Explorer Awards

The Best Whiskies According To The Whisky Explorer Awards 

The Whisky Explorer Awards represents Canada's newest addition to the international spirit competition scene. Spearheaded by Canadian whisky advocate Mike Brisebois, this competition focuses exclusively on whiskies available at Canadian retail outlets. Embracing a wide range of categories, from Scotch whisky to Canadian whisky, Irish whiskey, American whiskey, Asian whisky, and world whisky, the awards celebrate excellence and diversity in the global whisky landscape.

Best Scotch Whisky: The GlenAllachie 10 YO Cask Strength, Batch 8, 58.6% ABV

The GlenAllachie 10 Year Old Cask Strength achieved top honors as the Best Whisky in Canada at the Whisky Explorer Awards. Additionally, it secured accolades for Best Cask Strength Whisky in Canada, Best Single Malt Whisky in Canada, and Best Scottish Whisky in Canada, further affirming its exceptional quality and appeal among whisky enthusiasts. Buy it now!

Best Blended Whisky MacNair's Lum Reek Blended Malt 10 YO, Scotch Whisky, 55.8% ABV

The MacNair's Lum Reek Blended Malt 10 YO also won Best Whisky 10 Years and Under in Canada.The GlenAllachie Distillery produces MacNair's Lum Reek Blended Malt 10 YO Whisky under the deft hand of Master Distiller Billy Walker. This expression is a blended malt Scotch whisky rather than a blended Scotch whisky. That means it is a blend of different single malts and does not include any grain alcohol. Buy it now!

Best 100% Rye Whisky: Ezra Brooks 7-Year Rye

Ezra Brooks is crafted with the utmost attention to quality, using only the finest ingredients. It undergoes traditional aging methods, allowing it to develop rich flavors and complexity over time. Through charcoal filtration, it achieves a remarkably smooth and mellow flavor profile, culminating in a satisfyingly smooth finish. Buy it now!

Best Whisky 11-15 Years: Benromach 15 Year Old

Rest assured, whether our Benromach arrives in old or new packaging, the exceptional liquid inside remains unchanged. At our family-owned distillery, we adhere to traditional methods, relying on the expertise of our experienced distillers to craft a Speyside whisky imbued with the subtle smoky character distinctive to Benromach. Matured exclusively in the finest oak casks, our 15 Year Old single malt whisky reveals a palate of cracked pepper, charred oak, succulent apples, dark chocolate, and forest fruits, complemented by rich sherry undertones and a subtle hint of smoke. Buy it now!

Best Whisky 15 Years Old Or Over: Glenlivet 18 Year Old

This aged scotch delivers precisely what one would anticipate from a whisky of its caliber. Its creamy, nutty, toffee-smooth texture intertwines with dark floral undertones, culminating in a rich sherry finish that is delicately accented by a subtle hint of peat smoke. Each sip evokes a sense of romance akin to a clandestine dance with a long-lost flame. Buy it now!

Best Finished Whiskey: Rabbit Hole Dareringer Straight Bourbon Finished in PX Sherry Casks

In a tale as old as time itself, a love story unfolds between a man who adores Scotch and a woman who favors Bourbon, leading to the creation of Rabbit Hole, a Louisville-based distillery. Founded by Kaveh Zamanian and Heather, Rabbit Hole embodies their shared passion, beauty, and elegance, with a simple yet ambitious mission: to add an extra layer of sophistication to the Bourbon renaissance. Building on their initial success with a mind-blowing Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Rabbit Hole decided to elevate their craft even further by aging it in American oak barrels with an intense alligator char, followed by finishing it in ex-PX Sherry casks. The result? A decadent, snazzy, and downright unbelievable whiskey experience that invites you to take a dive into the rabbit hole. Buy it now!

Best Whisky No Aged Statement in Canada – Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky Release No. 38

Founded in 2009 in Canada's rugged Yukon territory, Two Brewers is a distillery known for its innovative approach to crafting single malt whisky. Their expression boasts a robust oak spice foundation, complemented by enticing aromas of peat smoke, green walnuts, and candied ginger. On the palate, tropical fruit flavors mingle with rich tobacco smoke, creating a complex and satisfying whisky experience. Buy it now!

Best Irish Whiskey in Canada – Dunville's 1808 Irish Whiskey

Dunville's 1808 is a contemporary blended Irish whiskey that brings together grain, malt, and pot still components to create a bold and flavorful profile. The nose reveals inviting aromas of creamy vanilla, crisp apples, pears, lemon curd, and malt, accompanied by hints of buttery cereals and freshly-baked biscuits. On the palate, notes of ripe oranges, lemon meringue pie, charred oak, and white pepper unfold, with subtle wisps of smoke lingering in the finish. This whiskey offers a delightful combination of fruity sweetness, spicy complexity, and elegant oak influence. Buy it now!

Best Canadian Whisky in Canada – Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky Release No. 38

Founded in 2009 in Canada's rugged Yukon territory, Two Brewers is a distillery known for its innovative approach to crafting single malt whisky. Their expression boasts a robust oak spice foundation, complemented by enticing aromas of peat smoke, green walnuts, and candied ginger. On the palate, tropical fruit flavors mingle with rich tobacco smoke, creating a complex and satisfying whisky experience. Buy it now!

Best World Whisky in Canada – Indri Single Malt Indian Whisky

Indri Single Malt whiskey is crafted from Classic Six Row Indian Barley, a heritage grain cultivated in Rajasthan, India, for centuries. The barley is meticulously harvested and hand-selected for malting, ensuring the highest quality. This attention to detail has earned Indri Single Malt the distinction of being ranked as the #17 whiskey of the year by Whiskey Advocate. Buy it now!