Canada has a rich whiskey making tradition, as does Scotland and America. Canadian whiskey is typically light and smooth. It is usually made with corn and rye, among other ingredients. For something to qualify as an authentic Canadian whiskey, it must be made in Canada, aged in a wood barrel for at least 3 years, and have an alcohol content of at least 40%.
The most widely available Canadian whiskey is Canadian Club. It is something of a standard barer when it comes to Canadian whiskey. It is light, smooth, and a bit smoky. It has a less grainy taste than most other whiskeys. Canadian Club is good for cocktails because its taste does not overpower that of other ingredients; and under $20 a bottle is a good deal.
Crown Royal is a Canadian scotch whiskey that has a bit more body and is designed to be sipped. It is exceptionally smooth and has a bit less bite than other scotch whiskey brands. For a Canadian scotch whiskey with a stronger flavor, try the Crown Royal Special Reserve, Black, or Cask varieties. The Black and Cask especially have a smooth Canadian flavor but are substantive enough for sipping.
Pendleton and McAdams are also popular Canadian brands that fall on the cheaper end of the cost spectrum. If you like Crown Royal and Canadian Club, make sure to give them a try.
