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Canadian Club History
1858
In Walkerville Ontario, nestled along the banks of the serene Detroit River, lies a tale as rich and smooth as the whisky it inspired – the story of Canadian Club®.
It all began in 1858 when Hiram Walker, a successful grain merchant and visionary entrepreneur, set out to create a whisky that would embody the essence of Canadian craftsmanship. Canadian Club’s first distillery was established in Walkerville, Ontario, an area with the finest grains and pristine waters of the region. It is there that Walker embarked on a quest to craft a spirit of unparalleled quality and character.
In those early days, if you wanted whisky, you took your own jug or bottle to the local store and filled it from a generic barrel. Hiram Walker was proud of the whisky he distilled and wanted to give whisky drinkers the option to purchase his whisky by name, so he branded the barrels with our name as a signature of confidence and the reassurance of quality.
With meticulous attention to detail and unwavering dedication, Walker perfected his blend, aging it in white oak barrels to achieve a harmony of flavors unlike any other creating a whisky that was different, smooth and easy to drink, a whisky that consumers could order by name.
1880’s
Canadians soon took a liking to our whisky, and came to love it as one of their own. In America, it was considered special, because it was sold exclusively in the finer gentlemen’s clubs of the era. Soon, the whisky came to be known by the name of “Club Whisky.”
It wasn’t long before Club Whisky began to cultivate popularity around the world. Eventually, its popularity began to affect the sale of American Bourbon in the United States. This forced the U.S. Government to require all Canadian distillers to put the country of origin on their label. And so, in 1882 Club Whisky became Canadian Club® and a legacy was launched.
Hiram Walker’s commitment to excellence soon earned him recognition and acclaim, and Canadian Club Whisky quickly became the toast of connoisseurs across the globe. In 1891 Canadian Club became the first North American spirit to receive a royal decree from Queen Victoria.
1920’s
On January 16th, 1920, the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution took effect, prohibiting the production, the transportation and sale of alcohol in the United States.
The Liquor Control Act in Ontario forbade public or hotel drinking but did not prohibit the manufacturing and exportation of liquor. For boarder cities like Windsor, Ontario, this loophole would set the course for a wild decade never seen before and never seen since.
Prohibition led to the rise of bootleggers and gangsters like Al Capone. Soon, the waterways between the United States and Canada became a smugglers paradise, carrying 75% of the liquor supplied to the U.S. during Prohibition. It wasn’t long before Canadian Club® became the #1 smuggled whisky in the U.S.
They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, but during Prohibition, knockoff distillers, using names similar to Canadian Club®, tried to peddle low-grade alcohols to the unsuspecting. Canadian Club® distributors helped protect the brand by urging patrons to request Canadian Club® by name so they were sure to get the real whisky.
1940-60’s
As the years passed, Canadian Club continued to evolve, adapting to the changing trends of each era while staying true to its heritage of quality and craftsmanship. By 1940, Canadian Club® was now sold and enjoyed in 90 countries around the world. In 1952, all the lights in Times Square were shut off for the lighting of the large Canadian Club Neon sign, that remained in that same spot for 21 years. Canadian Club was introduced to readers of spy fiction worldwide when James Bond's drink of choice became CC and soda, notably featured in Ian Fleming's 1958 novel Dr. No.
2024
Beyond Canadian Club’s impeccable taste and smooth finish, Canadian Club carries with it a legacy of innovation and ingenuity. From pioneering the use of blended whisky to introducing the world to the concept of barrel aging, Canadian Club has continually pushed the boundaries of what whisky can be, inspiring generations of distillers and aficionados alike.
Today, as it has for over a century, Canadian Club Whisky stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and craftsmanship. With each sip, it invites you to journey through time and taste the history of a nation, all encapsulated within a single glass. Cheers to the legacy of Canadian Club – a whisky as bold and timeless as the land from which it hails.
