Product of: Canada

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The leading international brand of Canadian whisky has been produced in Ontario since 1858. The component whiskies, which have high levels of rye and barley malt, are blended before going into charred white oak barrels where they are aged for six years.

Hiram Walker founded his distillery in Detroit but with the Prohibition movement gathering pace decided to move across the Detroit River to Windsor, Ontario. His 'Walker's Whisky' sold well in the late 19th century, particularly in gentlemen's clubs in both America and Canada where it became known as 'Club Whisky'.

Club Whisky became very popular and a group of American distillers petitioned for the inclusion of the word 'Canada' on the bottle to distinguish it from their competing whiskies, obviously believing this would adversely affect sales of Walker's. Instead, it made Club Whisky even more popular so in 1889 Walker added the word 'Canadian' at the top of his whiskies label. In 1890 a further packaging tweak saw the word 'Canadian' incorporated into the brand name.

Walker died in 1899 and the distillery passed to his sons.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 06/04/2015

Appearance:

Clear, pale golden amber.

Aroma:

Subdued and grainy with barley sugar, red apple, light spice, vanilla and a faint aroma akin to the inside of a soft plastic box (in an apealing way).

Taste:

Light, 'easy', vanillered and grainy (almost bready) with a faint hint of honey sweetness and a touch of spice.

Aftertaste:

Short finish with moscavado sugar, delicate spice and vanilla ice-cream.

Overall:

Light bodied with pronounced barley sugar and vanilla.