🥃 Canadian Club
A brand of Canadian blended whisky from Walkerville (Ontario): made since 1858, founder Hiram Walker; base version 40% ABV; owned by Suntory Global Spirits.
Canadian Club, or CC, is a brand of Canadian blended whisky created by Hiram Walker. Production in Ontario dates back to 1858, and the base version is 40% ABV. The brand is now owned by Suntory Global Spirits, and the whisky is made in Walkerville on the Detroit River.
History. Hiram Walker moved his business from Detroit to the Canadian side, and the company town of Walkerville grew up. According to Difford's Guide, the whisky was first called Club Whisky; the word "Canadian" was added to the label in 1889 and to the brand name in 1890. Walker died in 1899, and his sons inherited the business. The company later became part of Hiram Walker-Gooderham & Worts, and in recent years the brand has belonged to Japan's Suntory.
How it is made. According to Difford's Guide, components with a high share of rye and malted barley are blended before ageing, then aged in charred white oak barrels. The base version carries no age statement, although the guide gives six years; Reserve, according to the producer, is aged 9 years and Classic 12. The 100% Canadian Rye version is made in Alberta, a rye-growing province.
Range. Besides the classic there are 1858 Blended, Reserve, Classic 12 Year Old and ready-to-drink cocktails at 5% ABV.
Why this matters to you. Canadian whisky must spend at least three years in wooden barrels and be at least 40% ABV. The word "Rye" on a bottle does not guarantee a predominantly rye taste, and the age counts only the time in barrels. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| Year founded | 1858, Hiram Walker, Walkerville (Ontario); "Canadian Club" as a name — 1890 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Canadian Food Compositional Standards, vol. 2, item 2.1.3 (Canadian Whisky) |
| Raw material | grain with a high share of rye and malted barley |
| Cask type | charred white oak barrels |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in wooden barrels up to 700 L under the standard; the base version has no age statement |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV (base version); other versions 41.3% and 50% |
What it includes
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Canadian Club → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Suntory Global Spirits
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Canadian whisky, 🥃 Whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 North America
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Crown Royal, 🥃 Jack Daniel's, 🥃 Bunnahabhain, 🥃 Bunnahabhain, 🥃 Dewar's, 🥃 Dewar's
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Canadian Club is a rye whisky?
Not necessarily. Under the Canadian standard, the names Canadian Whisky and Rye Whisky have the same requirements, and no share of rye is set. Canadian Club also has a separate 100% Canadian Rye version.
Why does the label say "Club"?
According to Difford's Guide, the whisky was originally called Club Whisky. "Canadian" was added to the label in 1889 and to the brand name in 1890.
Who owns Canadian Club?
According to Difford's Guide, Suntory Global Spirits. The producer is listed as Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd.
How old is the base Canadian Club?
It carries no age statement; Difford's Guide gives six years of ageing. Reserve, according to the producer, is 9 years and Classic is 12.
Where is Canadian Club made?
In Walkerville, Ontario, on the Detroit River; the 100% Canadian Rye version, according to the producer, is made in rye-growing Alberta.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🌍 North America — US and Canada: 9.5 million US cows gave 232 billion lb of milk (2025); Wisconsin makes a quarter of US cheese; Canada runs on dairy quotas.
- 🥃 Jack Daniel's — Tennessee whiskey from Lynchburg (USA): before aging, the spirit is filtered through a three-metre layer of sugar maple charcoal.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Crown Royal · 🥃 Seagram's Seven Crown · 🥃 Baker's · 🥃 Old Crow · 🥃 Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey · 🥃 Blanton's
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Difford's Guide: Canadian Club Canadian Blended Whisky (Hiram Walker & Sons; 40 %; high rye and barley malt; charred white oak; owner Suntory Global Spirits)
- Canadian Club (producer): brand story (distillery opened 1858, Walkerville, Ontario; range and ages)
- Canadian Food Compositional Standards, Volume 2 – Alcoholic Beverages, 2.0.1 and 2.1.3 (CFIA; Canadian Whisky: min. 3 years in small wood, min. 40 % ABV)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)