Canadian Spirits

Big and Bold as the Canadian Frontier…

The long history of Canada’s distilled spirits industry dates back to 1769 with the establishment of the first distillery of record in Quebec City. By the 1840’s, over 200 distilleries were in operation, and Canada earned a reputation as a producer of a distinctive high quality whisky.

The modern Canadian distilling industry produces a variety of spirits, including whisky, rum, vodka, gin, liqueurs and brandy. But domestically and internationally, Canada is still famous for its distinctive rye-flavored, high quality whisky.

Canadian whisky is distilled from cereal grains (rye and corn primarily), then aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 3 years before bottling. Canadian whisky is the only Canadian distilled spirits product which is “appellation protected,” which means that, by law, it can only be produced in Canada.

Sazerac is proud to be a leading distiller in Canada with operations at Schenley Distilleries in Valleyfield, Quebec and The Black Velvet Distilling Co. in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Built in 1945 on an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, Schenley Distilleries remains the only operating distillery in the province of Quebec. Take a tour through the distillery and you will see whisky made the old fashioned way in wide, open topped fermenters. French-Canadian culture and traditional production methods combine to make some of the finest Canadian whisky available today.

The Black Velvet Distilling Company is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just south of Calgary in Lethbridge, Alberta. Local farmers and the Oldman River provide the premium grain and fresh mountain water used to create the unique smooth velvet flavor of Black Velvet Canadian Whisky. To keep up with worldwide demand for Black Velvet this facility operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.