History was made earlier this year when Canadian whisky was distilled in downtown Montreal for the first time in decades at the Sazerac Company’s Old Montreal Distillery. For more than a year Sazerac has been putting the elements in place, installing grain mills and a 4,000 gallon mash cooker, converting existing equipment and hooking up fermenters.  Recently a key piece, ...

By Father John Rayls Rating: A- There are many opinions about Orphan Barrel whiskeys, ranging from love and devotion to cynicism and avoidance. For myself, having found several sourced whiskies that I thoroughly enjoy, I remain open-minded concerning the Diageo’s Orphan Barrel releases.  While I’m skeptical about the stories of suddenly rediscovering barrels that are 12 to 25 years old ...

Diageo has added to its Orphan Barrel line of very aged and ultra aged whiskies with an entry that reaches into new ground: Canada. The new release, dubbed Entrapment, is essentially a 25 Year Old Crown Royal, made and aged at the brand’s giant plant in Gimli, Manitoba. Entrapment was distilled in 1992 from a mashbill of 97% corn and ...

J.P. Wiser’s has changed its recipe to up the rye and wheat content. Now with 60% rye, J.P. Wiser’s Rye continues to be crafted with the highest quality rye, grown in cool northern climates, with a unique triple barrel production process that gives it a smooth, bold taste. J.P. Wiser’s Rye is set apart from other whiskies with a unique ...

By Father John Rayls Crown Royal is the top-selling Canadian whisky in the U.S. and second best in the world, while ranking as the eight biggest world whiskey brand overall. Yet you would never guess this from looking at the map. The Crown Royal Distillery is located about 1 1/2 hours north of beautiful Winnipeg in Gimli, Manitoba near the ...