Canadian Club whiskey: history, overview of taste and types

1) The history of the brand
2) Features of production
3) Types of Canadian Club

Whiskey from Canada is hardly a frequent guest on the table even among the most ardent fans of malt beverages from the post-Soviet countries. Meanwhile, it not only exists, but is of quite good quality.

Canadian Club is the most famous example among North American premium blends.

The history of the brand

The popular brand of alcohol was founded by grain merchant Hiram Walker. In 1858, he opened his own distillery in the Canadian state of Ontario, in close proximity to the US border.

A working settlement was formed around the large enterprise, which by the end of the XIX century grew into the small town of Walkerville, and later became part of Windsor.

The site for the construction of the plant was not chosen by chance: in addition to its proximity to Detroit, the local land was famous for its excellent grain quality.

Before the appearance of Hiram Walker and Sons in Ontario, whiskey lovers came to the store with their own containers and filled them from an unnamed barrel. A visiting farmer decided to change the established order.

Walker was one of the first to label every barrel that went on sale. The light, smooth, well-balanced drink was to Canadians' taste. Products from Walkerville began to be served in prestigious gentlemen's clubs, which led to the name "Club Whisky" being assigned to it.

Hiram's blend was appreciated not only in Canada. In the United States, "gentleman's whiskey" became so popular that it was able to push out the native bourbon. As a result, the US government obliged producers to indicate the country of origin on the bottles. This is how the Canadian Club brand was born.

During the American Prohibition, the famous whiskey was smuggled into the United States. Al Capone himself was noticed among the gangsters who organized illegal transportation.

Today, Canadian Club is part of the Beam Suntory product portfolio, but it still retains the same taste worthy of true gentlemen and sophisticated whiskey connoisseurs.

Features of production

The secret of the unique bouquet of Canadian whiskey is to preserve the recipe of 1858 and the original production technology. It includes:

Manual selection of grain components (rye, rye and barley malt, corn). The ratio of different types of raw materials is different for each product.
Blending of distillates before aging. This approach provides the drinks with smoothness and a special, recognizable taste.
Maturation in old bourbon barrels made of American white oak wood. Each type of whiskey is aged for a certain period of time.

Types of Canadian Club

Canadian Club 1858

The brand's best-selling product, the flagship that started the history of "club" whiskey.
Produced according to an old recipe, aged for a long time in oak barrels.
Smooth blend of bright gold color has a mild, refreshing aroma with notes of pepper and almonds.
Spicy, savory taste pleases with hints of oak and sweet vanilla.
Aftertaste: clean, dry, slowly opening, with subtle woody notes. Strength: 40%.
Canadian Club 100% RYE

Winner of three gold medals, complex, full-bodied whiskey of golden color.
Aroma: balanced, with accents of toasted grains, delicate woody and sweet vanilla hints.
Taste: harmonious, with spicy rye accents, caramel and warm creamy tones.
Finish: long, clean, with hints of clove, oak and vanilla. Alcohol content: 40%.
Canadian Club Reserve

Restrained, refined, mature drink with a high content of rye, aged for 9 years in white oak barrels.
Color: bronze-golden. Aroma: full, rich, with hints of toffee, toasted oak, cream and vanilla notes.
Taste: rich, soft, with hints of caramel, wood, nutmeg and cloves.
Aftertaste: warm, lingering, sweet. Strength: 40%.
Canadian Club Classic 12

A complex, full-bodied, smooth whiskey with a predominance of barley components, awarded with many awards.
Aged for 12 years in specially treated bourbon barrels.
Color: bronze-gold. Aroma: soft, round, balanced, with a predominance of creamy and fruity notes.
Taste: harmonious, combining delicate spice, creamy vanilla and rich woody honey tones.
Finish: long, dry, with toffee accents. Alcohol content: 40%.
Canadian Club Maple

Sweet and spicy, velvety drink from the "CHAIRMAN'S SELECT" line.
Color: soft, golden. Aroma: sweet, with notes of Canadian maple syrup and toasted oats.
Taste: smooth, with subtle oak and spicy notes. Finish: lingering, toasty and sweet. Alcohol content: 35%.
Canadian Club Dock No.57. Blackberry

A special drink that combines the bright character of classic Canadian whiskey and aromatic spices.
Color: burnt bronze. Aroma: sweet, soft, with vanilla and oak tones. Taste: intense, with accents of spices, cinnamon, caramel, vanilla and pepper.
Finish: long, warming, with hints of rye whiskey. Strength: 40%.