What is the difference between Canadian whisky and bourbon?

Canadian whisky must be made, distilled and matured in Canada, at least three years in small wood, and contain at least 40 percent alcohol at bottling.

Canadian regulations define small wood as wooden casks or barrels of no more than 700 litres. Maturation in a larger tank therefore does not count towards those three years.

For years the substantive standard was in section B.02.020 of the Food and Drug Regulations. Since amendment SOR/2024-244 it has been in the Canadian Food Compositional Standards, the document to which the regulations refer. The provisions on age statements remained in section B.02.020 itself.

The standard further stipulates that the whisky must possess the characteristics attributed to Canadian whisky, and that caramel and flavourings may be added.

Bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash with at least 51 percent corn, distilled to at most 160 proof, in other words 80 percent alcohol.

The distillate then goes into new oak barrels that are charred on the inside, at no more than 125 proof, equal to 62.5 percent alcohol. A barrel may be used for bourbon only once, and not again after that.

Bottling is allowed from 80 proof, equal to 40 percent alcohol. Article 5,143 of title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations lays down all these limits, together with the requirement that production takes place in the United States.

Bourbon has no legal minimum maturation. Only straight bourbon must have lain at least two years in new charred oak casks.

Canadian whisky does have that lower limit. Every bottle that carries the name has spent at least three years in small wooden casks.

If a bottle you buy in the Netherlands has an age on the label, then according to article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787 that number refers to the youngest alcoholic component. A blend with a year statement therefore contains no younger distillate than that number indicates.

The Canadian standard permits caramel and flavourings, whereas the American rules exclude colouring, flavouring and blending agents for bourbon.

The table in 27 CFR 5,143 expressly lists that exception for bourbon. The same prohibition applies to straight bourbon, and neutral alcohol is not permitted for either.

The Canadian rules also allow a small share of other distilled spirit to be blended in. We do not give a percentage for this, because that figure does not appear in the regulatory texts we have consulted.

Another difference lies in the grain. Bourbon has a prescribed mixture of at least 51 percent corn, whereas the Canadian standard prescribes no type of grain or proportion.

No, the names Bourbon Whiskey and Canadian Whisky are mutually recognised as country-specific products in the trade agreements between the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Annex 3-C of that agreement stipulates that Canada and Mexico may not allow any product to be sold as Bourbon Whiskey or Tennessee Whiskey unless it has been made in the United States according to American rules. For Canadian Whisky the reverse arrangement applies towards Mexico and the United States.

Within the European Union, Regulation (EU) 2019/787 additionally lays down what may be offered under the sales denomination whisky.

In Bathmen there are 20 Canadian whiskies from 10 brands alongside 163 whiskies from the United States, out of a total of 3,883 whiskies.

Both groups are placed together under North American whisky. Anyone reading the label can tell at once from the legal designation which system of rules lies behind it.

Wilt u weten welke fles bij uw voorkeur past, loop dan binnen aan de Brink 2 in Bathmen of bel 0570 541 278. Wij verkopen alcohol vanaf 18 jaar, zoals artikel 20 van de Alcoholwet voorschrijft, NIX18.