About The Whisky
Explorer Awards
Our Standards: How Excellence Is Defined
The Whisky Explorer Awards are rooted in a balanced approach to whisky appreciation — one that respects both craft and character. While awards are ultimately determined through blind evaluation by an expert panel, there are consistent qualities our judges look for across all entries.
1. Craftsmanship
Whiskies should reflect skillful distillation and maturation. This includes perceived harmony between spirit, cask influence, and age, where applicable.
2. Balance & Complexity
Expressions that demonstrate nuance — a thoughtful interplay of aroma, palate, and finish — are prioritized over one-dimensional or overly engineered profiles.
3. Overall Experience
Judges consider the total experience of the whisky: how it feels in the glass, its personality, its narrative, and its ability to invite engagement and enjoyment.
These criteria are deliberately broad because great whisky rarely fits a single formula — but they anchor our evaluations in experience-driven appreciation, not arbitrary scoring.
Past recipients include:
Glen Moray Smoky Classic (Best Whisky in Canada)
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JP Wiser’s 28 Year
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Dunville’s 1808
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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
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Seven Seals Port Wood Finish
Glen Moray Smoky Classic (Best Whisky in Canada) • JP Wiser’s 28 Year • Dunville’s 1808 • Elijah Craig Barrel Proof • Seven Seals Port Wood Finish
Meet the Judges
The Whisky Explorer Awards are led by Canada’s Whisky Ambassador and founder of The Whisky Explorer, Mike Brisebois.
Submissions are evaluated by a panel of experienced and reputable whisky experts from Canada and around the world, bringing diverse perspectives and deep industry knowledge to the judging process.
The panel reflects a range of cultural backgrounds, tasting experience, and whisky expertise — ensuring a thoughtful and balanced approach to evaluation.
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Kyle Revait
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Terri Lam
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Emmett Hossack
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Johanne McInnis
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Kim Tardif
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Patrick Bourassa
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Crystal Coverdale
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Mike Brisebois
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Bryan Vanderkruk
Judging Philosophy
While many awards rely strictly on numerical scoring, the Whisky Explorer Awards emphasize experience first — which means:
Judges assess each expression in blind conditions
The focus is on what the whisky does in the glass, not who made it
Awards are given based on merit and presence, not quotas or marketing
This approach balances rigour with real-world drinker perspective.
How Results
Are Decided
All eligible whiskies undergo blind evaluation. Judges record impressions independently before group calibration. Final decisions reflect both individual assessments and collective consensus where appropriate.
No result is predetermined — assessments are based on how each whisky stands up to our criteria on the day it is tasted.
Submission Details
& Eligibility
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Whiskies must be available for purchase in Canada
International producers are welcome
All submissions must ship from within Canada
Full bottles only (no samples)
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Entries open: August 2025
Entry deadline: September 15, 2025
Deadline to receive products: September 30, 2025
Awards announced: February 2026
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First entry: FREE
Additional entries: $250 CAD per whisky
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One entry: email details to info@thewhiskyexplorer.ca
Multiple entries: complete the submission form
10+ entries: Excel list accepted
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TWE Awards
c/o Mike Brisebois
511 Carina Cres.
Ottawa, ON
Canada K2J 0Z4
Ready to Submit
Your Whisky?
If your whisky reflects care, intention, and quality, we invite you to submit it for consideration in the 2026 Whisky Explorer Awards.