Best Canadian whisky of 2018 is JP Wiser's 35

VICTORIA, Jan. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - The verdict is in. As the popularity of Canadian whisky continues its meteoric ascent, a jury of ten independent whisky experts has named Wiser's 35-year-old the very best of the best.

The whisky was proclaimed Whisky of the Year in Victoria B.C. on Thursday, January 18, at the eighth annual Canadian Whisky Awards gala. Distillers, brand ambassadors, and fans alike came together to celebrate and raise a glass to the passion and craftsmanship of Canadian whisky.

Chairman of the judges, Davin de Kergommeaux, described Wiser's 35-year-old as: "An elegant and complex beauty with depth of flavour and no rough edges."

Other top accolades went to whiskies from Caribou Crossing, Crown Royal, Collingwood, Forty Creek, Gibson's Finest, and Highwood Rye.

"Canada's whisky makers have responded to skyrocketing interest in Canadian whisky with a wealth of new high-end releases," said de Kergommeaux as he revealed the winners. "Canadian Club released a 40-year-old whisky and Corby Distillers bottled a cask strength version of connoisseur's favourite, Lot No. 40."

As the country's preeminent Canadian whisky competition, the independent and blind judging panel, served up some surprise honours to relative newcomers such as Saskatchewan's Last Mountain distillery and Yukon's Two Brewers which took home top spot as Microdistiller of the Year.

Canadian distillers released more small-batch and luxury whiskies in 2017, than ever before. Corby Distillers, for instance introduced four new limited release whiskies, Forty Creek went back to first principles with a whisky named Heritage, and Collingwood released Double Barrel, a Canadian whisky made in an American style.

If this year's record setting submissions are an indication, Canadian whisky fans have an extremely exciting 2018 to look forward to.

The list of all the winners is now available at http://www.canadianwhisky.org

Note to editors:
About the Canadian Whisky Awards
The Canadian Whisky Awards, held annually in conjunction with the Victoria Whisky Festival, recognize the very best Canadian whiskies and encourage distillers to maintain the highest quality standards. To qualify, the whisky must be distilled and matured in Canada. An independent panel of whisky experts selects the winners after tasting each whisky blind. Operated on a not-for-profit basis, the Canadian Whisky Awards are fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry.

SOURCE Canadian Whisky Awards