Canada has a long tradition of distilling from iconic rye whisky producers to a growing network of craft distilleries making innovative gins, vodkas, rums, and speciality spirits. Many of these companies emphasise using Canadian-grown grains, local botanicals, small-batch production, and responsible sourcing.
Whether you are looking for a classic Canadian whisky or new craft liquor with inventive flavours, there is a wide range to choose from, including those from the companies featured below.
Canadian Liquor Brands
Crown Royal
Manufacturing Location: Gimli, Manitoba
Where to Buy: Liquor retailers nationwide
Key Details:
- Famous Canadian whisky
- Distilled and aged in Manitoba
Crown Royal is one of the most recognised Canadian whisky brands. It distils its whisky in Gimli, Manitoba, on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. The distillery blends grain whiskies to create its iconic, slightly sweet, smooth flavour. Crown Royal offers a wide selection from classic Deluxe to rich Northern Harvest Rye and premium Reserve. While Crown Royal is under corporate ownership, its roots are firmly Canadian.
Shelter Point Distillery
Manufacturing Location: Oyster River, British Columbia
Where to Buy: Liquor Stores and online
Key Details:
- Single estate distillery
- Grain grown on-site
Shelter Point Distillery is located in British Columbia on a farmland that overlooks the ocean. The brand grows its own barley and distils and ages its award-winning, artisan alcohol in-house, using a farm-to-glass approach that is now rare within the North American liquor industry. Shelter Point’s liquors include whiskies, vodkas, and speciality releases.
Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers
Manufacturing Location: Beamsville, Ontario
Where to Buy: Ontario & Western Canada retail; online within Ontario
Key Details:
- Craft gin and vodka specialists
- Made with fresh botanicals
Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers is a Canadian drinks brand that focuses on using fresh Canadian ingredients, especially botanicals from the Niagara region. The company distils their spirits in very small batches, and the spirits have quickly become favourites among bartenders thanks to their clean flavours and craftsmanship. Dillon’s drinks portfolio includes whiskies, vodkas, gins, bitters, mixers, and ready-mixed cocktails.
Eau Claire Distillery
Manufacturing Location: Turner Valley, Alberta
Where to Buy: Western Canada liquor stores and online in AB
Key Details:
- Farm-to-glass spirits
- Alberta-grown grain
Eau Claire Distillery makes a range of alcoholic beverages using locally grown grains and traditional distilling methods. The company is committed to a farm-to-glass approach and farms around 20 acres of barley using traditional methods. This combination of home-grown grain and high-elevation prairie climate creates spirits with unique character, notable depth, and structure.
J.P. Wiser’s
Manufacturing Location: Windsor, Ontario
Where to Buy: Liquor retailers nationwide
Key Details:
- One of Canada’s oldest whisky brands
- Historic distilling tradition
J.P. Wiser’s, dating back to the 1850s, is one of the oldest whisky brands in Canada. Today, it is produced at the Hiram Walker distillery in Windsor, Ontario, which is the largest distilling facility in North America. The brand produces a wide range of whiskies, including Wiser’s Deluxe, 15-Year-Old, and Master Blender Edition releases. While it is no longer Canadian-owned, it remains symbolic of domestic distilling history.
Forty Creek Distillery
Manufacturing Location: Grimsby, Ontario
Where to Buy: Liquor stores across Canada; official store and tours
Key Details:
- Craft-inspired whisky
- Independent legacy within a global portfolio
Forty Creek is an award-winning brand, producing whisky in Grimsby, Ontario. Its whiskies have won gold and silver medals at competitions such as the World Whiskies Awards and International Spirits Competition. The Forty Creek distillery draws inspiration from the Niagara region’s wine and barrel-ageing culture and is known for balancing Canadian whisky tradition with innovation.
Canadian Club
Manufacturing Location: Windsor, Ontario
Where to Buy: Liquor stores nationwide
Key Details:
- Iconic Canadian whisky
- Over 160 years of history
Canadian Club is one of Canada’s oldest and most recognised spirit brands. While the brand is now internationally owned, Canadian Club whisky is still distilled and aged in Canada, thus maintaining the brand’s Canadian roots. Known for its very smooth profile, Canadian Club has been a staple ingredient in cocktails and found in whisky bars and restaurants as well as Canadian homes for generations. The brand offers a wide range of whiskies from classics to premiums for whisky connoisseurs.
