The Winners

Each year, the Whisky Explorer Awards honour whiskies, people, and places that stand out for their quality, intention, and overall experience — as evaluated through blind tasting by an expert panel.

What It Means to
Be a Whisky Explorer Awards Winner

Recognition from the Whisky Explorer Awards reflects more than technical excellence. Winners are selected based on how their whisky performs in the glass — considering balance, complexity, craftsmanship, and overall enjoyment.

All winners are chosen through an independent, blind evaluation process, led by Canada’s Whisky Ambassador and founder of The Whisky Explorer, Mike Brisebois, alongside a panel of experienced judges.

Independent recognition celebrating exceptional whisky, craft, and character.

2026 Whisky Explorer Awards — Winners

🏆 Best Whisky in Canada

Best Whisky in Canada —
Deacon Blended Scotch Whisky

The Deacon Blended Scotch Whisky was awarded Best Whisky in Canada at the 2026 Whisky Explorer Awards following blind evaluation by the judging panel.

This bold blended Scotch from Sovereign Brands stood out for its compelling integration of smoke and sweetness, proving that a well-crafted blend can compete at the very highest level. Aromas of gentle peat, citrus, and toasted grain lead into a palate of bright orange, vanilla, and soft spice, finishing long and warming with a beautiful tension between smoke and sweetness.

Judges consistently praised the whisky's layered complexity and exceptional drinkability, noting its ability to deliver richness and personality without losing balance or approachability. The Deacon exemplifies the vision and craftsmanship that define excellence in whisky.

Judges described the whisky as "every bit as moving, complex, and memorable as any revered single malt on the shelf."

Best Canadian Whisky in Canada — Reifel Rye

Best Irish Whiskey in Canada — Redbreast Single Pot Still

Best Scotch Whisky in Canada — The Deacon Blended Scotch Whisky

Best World Whisky in Canada — Indri Single Malt

Best USA Whisky in Canada — Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Best Single Malt Whisky in Canada — Kinglassie Double Matured 8 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Best Blended Whisky in Canada — The Deacon Blended Scotch Whisky

Best Peated Whisky in Canada — Kinglassie Double Matured 8 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky

🥃 CATEGORY WINNERS

👥 People’s Choice & Community Awards

Brand Ambassador of the Year — Ray Daniel
Runner Up: Bry Simpson

Best Whisky Bar in Canada — The Dam Pub
Runner Up: N Sur Mackay

Best Whisky Club in Canada — Québec Whisky
Runner Up: Southern Ontario Sippers

Canada’s Best Place to Buy Whisky (Premier Liquor Store in Canada). — Malt & Grains
Runner Up: Whisky Drop

Canada’s Leading Whisky Authority and Influencer (Influential Whisky Guru in Canada) — Eric Van Hove Passion Whisky Quebec
Runner Up: Sean Kinkaid Dark Cloud Whiskey

The Best Whisky Festival in Canada — NB Spirits Festival
Runner Up: Victoria Whisky Festival

Top Whisky Agency in Canada — PWS Imports
Runner Up: Les Frères Spirit

🇨🇦 Canada

Best Canadian Whisky:
Reifel Rye

Gold – Reifel Rye
Silver – Cotes des Saints Sherry Oloroso Single Cask
Bronze – John Sleeman & Sons High Rye Whisky
Gold – Cotes des Saints Sherry Oloroso Single Cask
Silver – John Sleeman & Sons Single Malt Whisky

Bronze – Shelter Point 12 Year Single Malt
Gold – Reifel Rye
Silver – John Sleeman & Sons High Rye Whisky

Bronze – Patent 5 Red River Four Grain
Gold – Lot 40 No.4 Oloroso Cask
Silver – Baldur’s 8 Year 100% Rye No.2
Bronze – Lot 40 Dark Oak
Gold – Cotes des Saints Sherry Oloroso Single Cask
Silver – Patent 5 Red River Four Grain
Bronze – Cotes des Saints PX Single Cask
Gold – Baldur’s 6 Year Blend No.3
Silver – Baldur’s 8 Year 100% Rye No.2
Bronze – Baldur’s 7 Year 100% Barley Single Malt Whisky
Gold – Shelter Point 12 Year Single Malt
Silver – Canadian Club 12 Year
Bronze – Alberta Distillers No.2
Gold – Reifel Rye
Silver – John Sleeman & Sons High Rye Whisky

Bronze – Tabercorn Berbon Whisky

🇮🇪 Ireland

Best Overall Irish Whiskey in Canada:
RedBreast Single Pot Still PX Edition

Gold – Redbreast Single Pot Still PX Edition
Silver – Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Bronze – Bushmills 12 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Gold – Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Silver – Bushmills 12 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Bronze – Two Stacks Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Gold – Writers’ Tears Double Oak
Silver – Kilbeggan Triple Cask
Bronze – McConnell’s Irish Whiskey

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 SCOTLAND

Best Overall ScotchWhisky in Canada:
The Deacon Blended Scotch Whisky

Gold – The Deacon Blended Scotch Whisky
Silver – Kinglassie Double Matured 8 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bronze – Meikle Toir 5 Year
Gold – Kinglassie Double Matured 8 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Silver – Meikle Toir 5 Year
Bronze – Kilchoman Machir Bay
Gold – The Glenlivet 15 Year
Silver – The Glenallachie 15 Year
Bronze – The Glenlivet 18 Year
Gold – G & M Connoisseurs Choice - Glenrothes 2009
Silver – Glengoyne 10 Year
Bronze – Benromach 10 Year
Gold – Kinglassie Double Matured 8 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Silver – Meikle Toir 5 Year
Bronze – Islay Mist 8 Year
Gold – The Deacon Blended Scotch Whisky
Silver – Kilchoman Machir Bay
Bronze – Glengoyne White Oak
Gold – The Deacon Blended Scotch Whisky
Silver – Islay Mist 8 Year
Bronze – Te Bheag

🇺🇸 USA

Best USA Whiskey in Canada
Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Gold – Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Silver – A Midwinter Night’s Dram
Bronze – Yellowstone Select Bourbon

🌎 World

Best World Whisky in Canada
Indri Single Malt

Gold – Indri Single Malt
Silver – Rampur Asava

Bronze – Old Hunters Selection 4+3

Ready to Submit

Your Whisky?

If your whisky reflects care, intention, and quality, we invite you to submit it for consideration in the 2027 Whisky Explorer Awards. First entry is free.

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