J.P. Wiser’s 24 Year Old Canadian Whisky of the Year 2026

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J.P. Wiser’s 24 Year Old Canadian Whisky is the 2026 CANADIAN WHISKY
OF THE YEAR at CANADIAN WHISKY AWARDS

In all, 47 Canadian whisky producers were honoured at the prestigious 16th annual event

J.P. Wiser’s has won Canadian Whisky of the Year honours for its 24 Year Old Canadian Whisky at the 2026 Canadian Whisky Awards held on Thursday, January 15 in Victoria, B.C. This blended whisky received the top overall score from a panel of 13 judges who tasted around 200 competing whiskies in blind tastings.

Part of J.P. Wiser’s Decades Series, this ultra-premium whisky was distilled in 2000 and aged for 24 years. Judges noted that the whisky shows fine oak spice and leather with butterscotch toffee and nougat.

Davin de Kergommeaux, chair of the judging panel and author of Canadian Whisky: The Essential Portable Expert stated “This solid old-timer brings the delicacy and refinement of long-aged whisky to the depth and nuance of a masterfully blended dram. Among so many brilliant whiskies in competition, it was a clear winner.”

Canadian Whisky of the Year was just one of more than two dozen awards presented at this year’s 16th annual edition of the Canadian Whisky Awards. A selection of the honours includes:

  • Blended Whisky of the Year – Wayne Gretzky Distillery – Maple Cask Whisky
  • Corn Whisky of the Year – BEARFACE – Triple Oak
  • Rye Whisky of the Year – Wild Life Distillery – WLD Cask King of the North
  • Single Malt Whisky of the Year – Macaloney’s Distillery – The Peat Project: Harvest Coast
  • Canadian Whisky Producer of the Year – Sons of Vancouver Distillery
  • Best Barrel Finished Whisky – Bridgeland Distillery – Glenbow Single Malt, Porta-Rossa Cask Finish
  • Best Cask Strength Whisky  – Sons of Vancouver Distillery – ‘The First Crack of a Creme Brulee’ Cask-Strength Wheated Rye
  • Best Limited Expression – Pike Creek 22 Year Old PX Cask Finish Canadian Whisky
  • Best Single Barrel Release – John Sleeman & Sons Spring Mill Distillery – Wine Cask Aged Single Malt
  • Award of Excellence in Product Innovation – Macaloney’s Distillery – The Peat Project
  • Best Whisky & Spirits Writer – Reece Sims
  • Canadian Whisky Lifetime Achievement Award – Bill Ashburn – Forty Creek

Held annually since 2010 during Victoria Whisky Festival, the Canadian Whisky Awards recognizes the very best Canadian whiskies. An independent panel of experts scores each whisky in blind tastings, based on ranking criteria that reflect the industry’s highest standards.

The Canadian Whisky Awards is fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry. Only whiskies that were distilled and matured in Canada are eligible to compete. The Canadian Whisky Awards Gala in Victoria is grateful to this year’s presenting sponsor, Spirits Canada.

For more information and the full results of the 2026 Canadian Whisky Awards, visit canadianwhiskyawards.com.

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