Exploring Whisky: Canadian Whisky, Scotch, Bourbon & Rye

Understanding Different Types of Whisky

Walk through a whisky section and you’ll quickly notice that there are many different styles.

Canadian whisky, Scotch, bourbon and rye can differ because of ingredients, production methods, ageing requirements and where they are produced.

Here’s a simple introduction.

Canadian Whisky

Canada has a long whisky-making tradition.

Canadian whisky can use different grain combinations and production methods, resulting in styles ranging from relatively light to richer and more complex.

Scotch Whisky

Scotch whisky is produced in Scotland according to specific production requirements.

Different Scottish regions and production styles can produce noticeably different characteristics.

Some bottles may be light and delicate, while others can have richer, smoky or earthy characteristics.

Bourbon

Bourbon is an American whiskey style with legal production requirements, including specific rules surrounding its grain composition and ageing process.

It is often associated with flavours such as vanilla, oak, caramel and baking spices, although every producer is different.

Rye

The word “rye” can mean slightly different things depending on the country and applicable production standards.

Whiskies made with significant rye content are often associated with spicy or grain-forward characteristics.

Read the Label

Bottle labels can provide useful information such as:

• Country or region
• Whisky style
• Alcohol percentage
• Age statement, when applicable
• Producer
• Bottle size

This information can help customers understand the differences between products before choosing one.

Explore Whisky at Avalon Liquor

Avalon Liquor’s Saskatoon selection includes whisky and other spirit categories.

Availability may change as new products and weekly selections arrive.

Customers of legal purchasing age can explore available products and compare different styles based on their preferences and budget.

Please enjoy responsibly. Alcohol is intended only for people who meet legal-age requirements.