The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of Canadian Whisky 1970–2025

Canada has been making whisky since the early 1800s, with distillation records dating back over two centuries.

In the early 1970s, Canadian whisky was at its peak. With 22 distilleries producing household names like Canadian Club and Crown Royal, the spirit was exported to over 160 countries and made up 85% of whisky sales in Canada. Its smooth, mixable character suited the highballs and simple cocktails of the era, securing its place as the default whisky across North America and beyond.

But by the 1980s, tastes had shifted. Vodka, tequila, and sweet liqueurs captured attention, pushing brown spirits to the margins. Canadian distillers responded by making lighter whiskies and promoting their smoothness, but this led to a decline in prestige. Many distilleries closed or merged, and Canadian whisky became seen as bland—a reliable mixer, but rarely a spirit to savor.

The Spark of Revival

In the 1990s, a quiet revolution began. Ontario winemaker John K. Hall founded Forty Creek and reintroduced bold, oak-aged rye and barley whiskies that challenged the “smooth and forgettable” stereotype. Enthusiasts and collectors started taking notice. Limited releases like Confederation Oak and Port Wood Reserve caught attention for their flavour and rarity, reviving interest in Canadian whisky as a serious spirit.

Collectors began scouring auctions and online forums for vintage Canadian bottlings—from 1970s Seagram’s VO to dusty Crown Royals. The idea that Canadian whisky could be collectible was taking root.

A Craft Movement and Premium Turn

The 2000s brought a Canadian craft distilling boom from coast to coast. New names like Still Waters, Shelter Point, and Glenora Distillery offered small-batch, often single-cask whiskies aged in sherry, port, or virgin oak. These weren’t just whiskies—they were stories in a bottle, appealing to collectors with their limited editions, regional grain choices, and transparency.

At the same time, heritage brands stepped up. Canadian Club’s Chronicles series (featuring whiskies aged up to 45 years) and Crown Royal’s XR editions pushed into premium territory, aimed squarely at connoisseurs. Canadian whisky was being rebranded—not just for cocktails, but for display cases and tasting flights.

Cultural Reappraisal and Recognition

The 2010s cemented Canadian whisky’s comeback. The Canadian Whisky Awards, founded in 2010, highlighted excellence and gave visibility to craft and legacy distillers alike. International awards soon followed. In 2024, Paradigm Spirits’ 19-year-old Heritage Collection—a 100% corn whisky aged in new oak and finished in sherry—won top honours, instantly becoming a sought-after collector’s item.

Whisky media embraced the resurgence. Bars from Vancouver to Montreal proudly poured Canadian drams. Age statements, cask strength releases, and specialty finishes became more common, reflecting both market demand and a growing culture of whisky appreciation.

The Collector’s Era

With this cultural shift came a collector’s renaissance. Enthusiasts chased down old bottlings from the 1950s to 1990s, early craft releases, and rare editions from legacy brands and boutique distilleries. The transparency, rarity, and narrative offered by Canadian whiskies began to rival Scotch and bourbon in collector appeal.

A key player in this landscape has been Waddington’s Auction House, which has become a premium conduit for acquiring hard-to-find and vintage Canadian whiskies. Its dedicated spirits auctions have helped elevate the visibility and legitimacy of Canadian whisky collecting, providing a trusted platform for buyers and sellers alike.

By 2025, Canadian whisky is now firmly re-established. Approximately 17.5 million cases are sold annually worldwide, making it the second best-selling whisky in the U.S. With over 300 distilleries operating today, the country’s whisky scene is more diverse than ever.

Serious collectors can now find everything from dusty late 30s Seagram’s, Shenley’s, 1970s era Crown Royal to Nova Scotia single-cask ryes finished in oloroso sherry. Canadian whisky, once overlooked, now holds a proud place on the shelves of collectors and enthusiasts across the globe.

In complexity, flavours, and story, Canadian whisky has found its way back into the hearts—and collections—of a new generation of Canadians.

Notable Canadian Whiskies in our upcoming Fine Spirit Auction

Waddington’s Fine Spirits Auction opens for bidding May 26, 2025 and closes June 3, 2025.

Canadian Club 40-Year-Old (750 ml)
A limited edition released by Hiram Walker & Sons Limited, bottled in 2001. 

Gooderham’s Canadian Centennial Rare Old Whisky 15 Years (25 oz.)
A rare bottling from Gooderham & Worts, Toronto, Ontario.

Crown Royal XR Extra Rare Canadian Whisky (750 ml) 

A special release from the Crown Royal Distilling Company, Waterloo, Ontario.

Note: Crown Royal (Tax Stamp 1939) 750 ml, sold for $3,000+ a bottle.
Rare first bottling presented with the purple cap.

Auction information

Our spring Fine Spirits Auction highlights the essence of uniqueness, tradition, and skill. Whether you are bidding on a special bottle to mark an occasion, or to commemorate a significant birthday, or delving into the delicate nuances of Japanese whisky, or enhancing your bourbon assortment with a key addition, or even acquiring a scarce Scotch, Waddington’s presents an opportunity to obtain exceptional spirits that appeal to both connoisseurs and investors. Don’t miss this curated selection of world-class spirits!

Browse the online gallery.

Bidding opens Monday, May 26 at 9 am.
Bidding starts to close Tuesday, June 3 at 4 pm.

You must be registered to bid in this auction. Please register here.

For more information please contact [email protected]