Held annually to coincide with the Victoria Whisky Festival, the Canadian Whisky Awards brings the best Canadian whiskies together, then awards top honors from 10 judges in blind tastings. The first and only competition dedicated solely to Canadian whisky, the awards showcase the best Canadian whiskies enjoyed by producers, distributors, retailers, and fans.
This year, amidst nearly 200 entries representing the surge in quality and variety stemming from Canada’s craft distillery boom over the last two decades, Highwood Distillers stood out.
Our whiskies secured top three positions in several categories, a testament to our commitment to crafting superior-quality spirits. David Walker, co-owner of Highwood Distillers, expressed his gratitude, emphasizing the meticulous blend of exceptional local ingredients and the dedication to the art of whisky making that underpins our award-winning products.
“We truly have some of the best-tasting whisky around, and we’re thrilled that the judges at the 2024 Canadian Whisky Awards agreed. Blending exceptional local ingredients, we take our craft seriously. To have so many of our products recognized as best in class reinforces our unwavering commitment and dedication to producing the finest whiskies in the world,” said David Walker, Co-Owner of Highwood Distillers.
SUSTAINABLE EXCELLENCE
Highwood Distillers proudly received the Award of Excellence in Sustainability for our ecoTOTE, a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
This recognition, a first for us in partnership with ecoSPIRITS, highlights our efforts to maintain a sustainable and harmonious relationship with our environment.
David Walker, co-owner of Highwood Distillers, spoke on the importance of the recognition, highlighting our commitment to the environment. “As we approach five decades in the industry, our shift to eco-conscious packaging with the ecoTOTE initiative marks a significant step in our journey. It embodies our dedication to reducing waste and our carbon footprint. At Highwood Distillers, each product is not just about exceptional quality but also reflects our efforts towards a more sustainable and responsible future,” Walker explained, underscoring the balance between tradition and environmental responsibility.
AWARD-WINNING SPIRITS
Our Ninety-20-Year-Old whisky, a gold medalist, embodies the pinnacle of our craftsmanship. Aged for two decades in charred oak barrels and finished in sherry barrels, this whisky offers a smooth, rich profile with notes of oak, spice, and light fruitiness—a reflection of the quality water, grain, and dedicated team in High River. The Ninety-20-Year-Old not only won gold this year but also received the distinction of Whisky of the Year for its corn variety in the previous competition, highlighting our consistent excellence in whisky production.
Additional awards include silver for Champlain (Caldera Brand), Century Reserve Beer Cask 8-Year-Old, Century Reserve Beer Cask 10-Year-Old, Sweet Sippin’ Maple Whisky Cream, Wild Cinnamon, and White Owl. Bronze awards were bestowed upon Hurricane 5 (Caldera Brand), Centennial Whisky, and Highwood Whisky.
OUR HERITAGE AND COMMITMENT
Since our inception in 1974, initially, as Sunnyvale, Highwood Distillers has been leveraging the rich natural resources of High River to produce spirits of unmatched quality. Our history is rooted in the abundant local ingredients and the skilled individuals who embody our ethos of pure Canadian craftsmanship.
Beyond our acclaimed Canadian whisky selections, our portfolio spans vodka, rum, gin, and liqueurs, all produced with a focus on small-batch distillation and careful aging. As we continue to innovate and honor traditional methods, we invite enthusiasts to explore our award-winning products and discover the depth of our commitment to excellence.
For more information and to explore our full range of spirits, including the celebrated Ninety 20-Year-Old Whisky, visit our spirits page.