TORONTO, Jan. 20,
2022 /CNW/ - Two premium Canadian whiskies from
the Corby Spirit and Wine J.P. Wiser's brand have been selected as
Connoisseur Whisky of the Year at the 2022 Canadian Whisky
Awards.
J.P. Wiser's Smaller Hero took home the Export Connoisseur
Whisky of the Year and the Award of Excellence – Canadian Whisky
Profile, while the exclusive J.P. Wiser's Red Letter 15 Year Old
was named the Domestic Connoisseur Whisky of the Year. The Red
Letter whisky, only available for purchase at the Hiram Walker and
Sons distillery in Windsor, Ont.
or online, was also granted the Award of Excellence – Line
Extension.
"The results of this year's Canadian Whisky Awards underscore
the quality of the premium Canadian whiskies Hiram Walker is
distilling in Windsor," says Dr.
Don Livermore, Master Blender at the
Hiram Walker and Sons distillery. "Corby has worked hard to develop
a strong portfolio of Canadian whisky across several brands. What
you are getting in each bottle is reflective of the passion and
innovation that goes into the entire distilling process."
Red Letter and Smaller Hero were also given Gold Medals, along
with two other Canadian whiskies from Corby Spirit and Wine:
- Lot No. 40 18 Year Old Cask Strength
- Pike Creek 22 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
J.P. Wiser's Red Letter 15 Year Old
Finished in new oak barrels as J.P. Wiser would have done all
those years ago, this 15-year-old whisky has characteristic notes
of green apple, vanilla and toffee along with dried fruit and
clove. The new oak finish imparts elements of wood spice and
toasted oak, making this a complex yet sippable whisky perfect for
sharing special moments with others. Make this whisky extra special
with personalized engraving on the bottle for only $10.
Red Letter is only available to purchase at the Hiram Walker and
Sons distillery and on the J.P. Wiser's website.
J.P. Wiser's Smaller Hero
Every year, France's La Maison
du Whisky celebrates its "Creations Project": carefully selected
single casks of single malt whiskies. J.P. Wiser's Smaller Hero – a
22-year-old cask strength whisky with an array of flavours and
aromas whose classicism battles it out with its incredibly
energetic eclecticism – is represented this year in the Ex Libris
Collection. The name Smaller Hero was inspired by the Canadian
literature classic Son of a Smaller Hero by Mordecai Richler
– a relatable story of a Canadian who has come here from another
country, and their subsequent trials and tribulations in a new
land. The name also represents Canada's oft-comparison with our neighbours to
the south; though we may be smaller in size, we're no less mighty
and a hero in our own right – and so is Canadian whisky.
While Smaller Hero is not sold in Canada, it can be purchased in France through www.whisky.fr.
Lot No. 40 18 Year Old Cask Strength
The oldest and most exclusive expression of Lot No. 40 ever
produced, this 18-year-old single-barrel whisky was hand selected
by Dr. Livermore. It is a limited-edition cask strength whisky.
Because of the length of age in a seasoned oak cask, the tasting
notes of Lot No. 40 18 Year Old Cask Strength impart distinctive
sweet, blackberries, ripe Bartlett pears, walnuts and rye spices.
This release is limited to fewer than 150 bottles in total. A
random draw for the opportunity to purchase this whisky will happen
in February, available only to members of the Drop Collective. To
enter, sign up at www.thedropcollective.ca.
Pike Creek 22 Year Old Predo Ximenez Cask Finish
The backbone of this 22-year-old limited release is
characteristically Canadian-made from corn – for creaminess,
texture and sweetness – and a hint of rye for spiciness and depth.
Dr. Livermore has continued his exploration of sherry styles with a
finish in sweet Pedro Ximénez (PX) casks. This limited-edition
whisky combines rich dark fruit flavours from the cask with green
apple and vanilla notes from the whisky for a truly decadent
experience. It is available at the LCBO.
About the Canadian Whisky Awards
Held annually in conjunction with the Victoria Whisky Festival,
the Canadian Whisky Awards recognize the best Canadian whiskies and
encourage distillers to maintain the highest quality standards. To
qualify, a whisky must be distilled and matured in Canada. Winners are selected by an independent
panel of whisky experts in blind taste testing.
This year's event was conducted virtually. For a full list of
2022 winners, please visit canadianwhiskyawards.com.
About Corby Spirit and Wine
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a leading Canadian manufacturer,
marketer and distributor of spirits and wines. Corby's portfolio of
owned-brands includes some of the most renowned brands in
Canada, including J.P.
Wiser's®, Lot 40®, and Pike Creek®
Canadian whiskies, Lamb's® rum, Polar Ice®
vodka, McGuinness® liqueurs, Ungava® gin,
Cabot Trail® maple-based liqueurs and Chic
Choc® Spiced rum, and Foreign Affair® wines.
Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard S.A., a global leader in
the spirits and wine industry, Corby also represents leading
international brands such as ABSOLUT® vodka,
Chivas Regal®, The
Glenlivet® and Ballantine's® Scotch whiskies,
Jameson® Irish whiskey, Beefeater® gin,
Malibu® rum, Kahlúa® liqueur,
Mumm® champagne, and Jacob's Creek®, Wyndham
Estate®, Stoneleigh®, Campo Viejo®, and Kenwood®
wines. Corby is a publicly traded company based in Toronto, Ontario, and listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the trading symbols CSW.A and CSW.B. For
further information, please visit our website or follow us on
LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter.
SOURCE Corby Spirit and Wine Communications