Windsor's Whisky Excellence Shines with Top Canadian Award
Windsor, Ontario has solidified its reputation as "Whisky City, Canada" after two locally produced spirits claimed major honors at the 2026 Canadian Whisky Awards. The standout winner was J.P. Wiser’s 24-Year-Old, which earned the prestigious title of Canadian Whisky of the Year. This recognition highlights the exceptional craftsmanship emerging from the historic Hiram Walker & Sons distillery on Windsor's riverfront.
Master Distiller Reveals Exciting Future Releases
Don Livermore, the master distiller at Hiram Walker & Sons and one of the few individuals globally with a PhD in brewing and distilling, shared insights into upcoming projects. He confirmed that several new releases are scheduled throughout 2026, with products expected around Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and during the fall "whisky season."
"I have years and years planned ahead," Livermore stated. "To make Canadian whisky it’s a minimum of three years, but the ones I’m referring to are much older than that. There are certain things in the pipeline. I know there will be several releases with Wiser’s and the brand Lot 40 coming this year, which I’m really excited about."
Additional Award Winners from Windsor's Distillery
Beyond the top award, the Pike Creek 22-Year-Old PX Cask also achieved significant recognition, winning both Best Limited Expression and Best Aged Whisky Over 15 Years. These whiskies, along with numerous others under parent company Pernod Ricard, are produced at the Windsor facility, which has seen substantial investment in recent years.
Livermore emphasized the local impact, noting, "I think we have the most talented and skilled whisky makers in Canada, and it just shines every time we do awards. And it’s very important to the local economy."
Judging Process and Industry Recognition
The awards involved a rigorous evaluation by a dozen judges who assessed approximately 200 whiskies. The J.P. Wiser’s 24-Year-Old, part of Hiram Walker’s Decades series that includes older variants like a 28-Year-Old and a 42-Year-Old, was barreled in 2000 and stood out for its quality.
"J.P. Wiser’s 24-Year came to the top, which is great news for the distillery," Livermore commented. "It was certainly one of my favorite whiskies that we’ve developed here. It was good to see for our employees and for our staff here at Hiram Walker. It’s a great team that makes great whisky. And I think it really proves the point of what we can do here in Windsor, Ontario."
In addition to the top awards, several other Windsor whiskies received bronze, silver, and gold medals for meeting various scoring standards, further cementing the region's status as a hub for premium spirit production.
