Learn about Canadian Whisky - 40 Creek at Whisky Live
Julie: Hi, welcome to LeGourmet.TV and welcome to Whiskey Live here in Toronto. These types of events are really great for exploring a new type of beverage, if it’s something that you never had before. They’re also really great if it’s something you already enjoy. You can try different brands and really explore. I’ve got my glass. I’ve got my tickets. And I’m ready to go.
So I’m here with John Hall of Whisky Maker which is a wonderful distillery located at Grimsby, Ontario. What makes it Canadian whisky?
John: Well, Julie, actually what makes it Canadian whisky is first of all, the whisky’s got to be made in Canada, and it has to be made with Canadian grown grain. That’s the initial. And it has to age for a minimum of three years in small oak barrels. But that’s a simple definition of a Canadian whisky is. The real definition is much more broader than that because Canadian whiskies are one of the most popular whiskies in the world and it’s known throughout the world.
Julie: One of my favorites.
John: In Canada, it outsells all of the Scotch and Irish and German whiskies combined. And the same thing in the US too, Canadian whiskies are the largest selling whiskies. I think what really, what Canadian whisky is, is something that you can drink straight, or on the rocks by itself, and it’s also very mixable for whisky cocktail, to make cocktails with. So it’s a very versatile whisky. And that’s one of the reasons why I think Canadian whisky’s so popular because it’s very versatile.
Julie: But what gives it that distinct flavor, different from, let’s say a Scotch whisky or an Irish whisky?
John: Well in the old days, for Canadian whisky, most Canadian whiskies were made from rye, that’s why you hear a lot of Canadian saying “I’ll have a rye whisky.” What they really mean is they want a Canadian-made whisky. And the reason why Canadian whiskies are made out of rye was because that’s what grew plentiful in our country. Whereas in Kentucky, there are lots of corns so they make their whisky called Bourbon out of corn. So we made rye whisky. Well, today, a lot of the Canadian whisky makers use other grains, other than, just rye. And most of them will use corn, sometimes for cost purposes. In the case of 40 Creek, I use all three grains. I use rye. I use malted barley and I use corn. The reason why I do that is because I want to develop the complexity in the flavors that we want to achieve in 40 Creek and that’s one of the reasons why I use three different
Julie: Very nice, very nice. Well, I certainly enjoyed 40 Creek. It’s good to see you again. And we’re going to continue our exploration of whisky here at the Whisky Live Show.
John: Cheers Julie.
Julie: Thanks very much.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services