Wiser's whisky
Encyclopedia
Wiser's Whisky Distillery was established in Prescott, Ontario
in 1857. In the early 1900s, Wiser's was the third largest distillery in Canada, producing high-quality whisky
that supplied markets in Canada and the United States, China and the Philippine Islands. In 1911, the company employed over 100 workers in the distillery operation. But with the death of J.P. Wiser the company struggled and was sold to Corby Distilleries
and production was moved to the Belleville
area in 1932. Since at least the 1980s, Wiser's Canadian Whisky has been distilled and bottled at the Hiram Walker
& Sons distillery in Windsor
(now owned by the French firm Pernod Ricard
), and aged in the Pike Creek area of Lakeshore
.
They are:
competitions have generally garnered good, if unspectacular results. The Very Old whisky has performed the best, winning a gold medal at the 2005 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and earning a score of 90 from the Beverage Testing Institute. The Reserve and the Deluxe each has won a silver medal from the San Francisco Competition and a score of 87 from the Beverage Testing Institute.
Prescott, Ontario
Prescott is a town of approximately 4,180 people on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Leeds and Grenville United Counties, Ontario, Canada. The Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge, 5 km east of Prescott in Johnstown, connects it with Ogdensburg, New York...
in 1857. In the early 1900s, Wiser's was the third largest distillery in Canada, producing high-quality whisky
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
that supplied markets in Canada and the United States, China and the Philippine Islands. In 1911, the company employed over 100 workers in the distillery operation. But with the death of J.P. Wiser the company struggled and was sold to Corby Distilleries
Corby Distilleries
Corby Distilleries Limited is an alcohol manufacturing and distribution company in Canada.It was founded in 1859 in Corbyville, Ontario. As of 2008, the company is 46% owned by Pernod Ricard SA. The company distills several Canadian specialities, as well as marketing Pernod Ricard's products in...
and production was moved to the Belleville
Belleville, Ontario
Belleville is a city located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in Southern Ontario, Canada, in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. It is the seat of Hastings County, but is politically independent of it. and the centre of the Bay of Quinte Region...
area in 1932. Since at least the 1980s, Wiser's Canadian Whisky has been distilled and bottled at the Hiram Walker
Hiram Walker
Hiram Walker was an American grocer and distiller, and the eponym of the famous distillery in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Walker was born in East Douglas, Massachusetts, and moved to Detroit in the mid-1830s...
& Sons distillery in Windsor
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
(now owned by the French firm Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is a French company that produces distilled beverages. The company's eponymous products, Pernod Anise and Ricard Pastis, are both anise-flavoured liqueurs and are often referred to simply as Pernod or Ricard...
), and aged in the Pike Creek area of Lakeshore
Lakeshore, Ontario
Lakeshore is a town in southwestern Ontario, Canada, on Lake St. Clair. Its nearest city is Windsor, located in Essex County. The town was incorporated in 1999 by amalgamating the Town of Belle River with the townships of Maidstone, Rochester, Tilbury North, and Tilbury West.Lakeshore has a...
.
Whiskies
Currently, the following products are being sold under the Wiser's label.They are:
- Wiser's DeluxeWiser's DeluxeWiser's Deluxe is a Canadian whisky made in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.*Colour: Rich amber.*Nose: Full, rich fragrance of dried fruits, caramel and vanilla.*Body: Full and round....
- Wiser's Very OldWiser's Very OldWiser's Very Old is the 18 year old Canadian whisky made in Windsor Ontario, Canada*Colour: Deep amber.*Nose: Oak, autumn florals, and pine.*Body: Full and robust.*Palate: Mature oak with caramel, baked apples, and spice....
- Wiser's Special BlendWiser's Special BlendWiser's Special Blend is a Canadian Rye whiskey made in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.*Colour: Medium amber.*Nose: Fresh wood with hints of spice and vanilla.*Body: Mild.*Palate: Subtle sweetness with mild mellow oak....
- Wiser's ReserveWiser's ReserveWiser's Reserve is a Canadian whisky made in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. This product is currently not in production.*Colour: Deep amber.*Nose: Excellent blend of oak, vanilla chocolate, rich sweet toffee and a hint of steeped tea....
(This is no longer in production.) - Wiser's Small BatchWiser's Small BatchWiser's Reserve is a Canadian whisky made in limited batches by Corby Distillery Limited in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Said to be made from J.P. Wiser's personal recipe, this whisky is notable for having a 43.4% ABV content.*Colour: Deep amber....
- Wiser's Red Letter (An exclusive product for the distillery's 150th anniversary. Winner of Best Canadian Whisky in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2010)
- Wiser's Legacy
Reviews and Reactions
Wiser's submissions to international spirit ratingsSpirit ratings
With a growing number of microdistilleries and an expanding number of offerings from large corporate entities, a number of institutions have arisen to provide professional evaluations of individual spirits...
competitions have generally garnered good, if unspectacular results. The Very Old whisky has performed the best, winning a gold medal at the 2005 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and earning a score of 90 from the Beverage Testing Institute. The Reserve and the Deluxe each has won a silver medal from the San Francisco Competition and a score of 87 from the Beverage Testing Institute.