The results from the twelfth annual Canadian Whisky Awards confirmed that while new players have entered the scene, Crown Royal remained the country’s top dog. Here are some highlight winners from the event.

The biggest winner of the night, Crown Royal Nobel Collection Winter Wheat was named Canada’s best whisky, Canadian Whisky of the Year, Best Blended Whisky and Sippin’ Whisky of the Year. Described by Davin de Kergommeaux, head judge and founder of the awards as a ‘truly stunning whisky” that is “incredibly complex, flavourful and well-balanced” the Nobel Collection Winter Wheat starts sweet, features a peppery spice in the middle, before finishing with a bitterish pith.

The third batch of Shelter Point’s ultra-popular peat influenced whisky took home honours as Best Single Malt Whisky, Best Cask Strength Whisky and Sippin’ Whisky of the Year – Domestic. According to the brand, the smoky single malt is aged in American oak ex-bourbon casks for five years and finished in casks previously used by a famous Islay distillery for over two years.

Corn-based whisky has always had a rich history in North America, so naturally, the stakes were high in this category. Taking out honours this year was BEARFACE’s Triple Oak, a single grain Canadian whisky matured for seven years in ex-bourbon American oak barrels, then aged in French oak red wine casks and air-dried virgin Hungarian oak.

Hailing from Saskatchewan’s first micro-distillery in Lumsden, the Last Mountain Distillery Single Cask 100% Wheat Whisky is a seriously impressive release. Produced from wheat grown at the Brewster Farm in Earl Grey, the Canadian whisky is non-blended, non-chill filtered and bottled at 45%.

After its brother take home a swag of gongs, the Shelter Point Single Cask 6 Rye wasn’t to be outdone. The sixth ever official single cask bottling and second 100% Rye, the rare bottling was limited to just 150 hand-numbered bottles. Sweet, spicy and complex, this unique whisky cops influences of bourbon from the American oak cask and malt whisky from the aromas in our warehouse

What could be more Canadian than Maple Whisky? Odd Society’s new release features malted barley house-smoked with maple wood, prior to being age distilled spirit for a minimum of three years in oak casks that were previously used to age maple syrup. Warm and rich, the whisky scored major points for its robust, albeit slightly smoky aroma.

Taking out the top gong wasn’t enough for Diageo-backed Gimli Distillery. The label best known for producing Crown Royal took home the award for the Best Canadian Distillery of the year, surpassing the multitude of microdistilleries and industry icons. After starting production in Manitoba back in 1968, the Gimli Distillery has become one of the most respected and profitable in the country, particularly after it was taken over by spirit giant Diageo in 2001.

While you could argue that the Canadian whisky market is heavily influenced by its neighbours to the south, the reality is far more ingrained. Whisky rose to popularity after local distillers made the bold decision to increase volumes of rye to their mixes, resulting in a stronger, spicier taste. As a result, Canadian whisky is characterised as being largely corn-based with some rye grain added to the mash bill, so much so that the terms Canadian whisky and Canadian rye can be used essentially interchangeably.

The 2022 Canadian Whisky Awards are judged by nine independent whisky experts, who precise over 150 entrants from across the country. The judging comes down to three tasting notes;

Best Whiskies From Around the World