Macaloney’s Island Distillery takes top prize at 15th annual Canadian Whisky Awards
Macaloney’s Island Distillery Peat Project Moscatel Barrique single malt has just been named the Canadian Whisky of the Year, becoming the first peated whisky, the first from the Island and among a very few from Canada’s smaller distillers ever to win the top prize at the prestigious Canadian Whisky Awards.
The recognition was announced January 16 at the 15th annual awards gala, which kicked off the annual Victoria Whisky Festival.
Made with 100 per cent local malted barley and Washington state peat smoked at the distillery, the whisky was then matured in matured in a European Moscatel wine barrique to produce what awards founder Davin de Kergommeaux described as a “remarkably well-balanced whisky …. [with] a tightly woven interplay of sweet malt, discrete fruitiness, brisk peppers and, of course, peat smoke.”
It was just one of dozens of winners at the Canadian Whisky Awards. Among the others were:
- Blended Whisky of the Year: Signal Hill Founders Select Overproof Whisky
- Corn Whisky of the Year: Bearface Triple Oak Canadian Whisky
- Best Barrel Finished Whisky and Limited Expression: Bridgeland Distillery Glenbow, Canadian Single Malt Whisky, Port Finish
- Rye Whisky of the Year: Sons of Vancouver Distillery Realms of Rye – Release No. 01 “Citrus & Botanicals”
- Best Whisky, International Market: Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel
- Best Whisky Aged Nine to 15 Years: Alberta Distillers Rare Batch Issue No.1
- Best Cask Strength Whisky: Two Brewers Release 45
- Brand Ambassador of the Year: Chris Thompson, Forty Creek
- Best Whisky Broadcast, Podcast or Video Series: Mark Gillespie, WhiskyCast
For the full results of the 2025 Canadian Whisky Awards, visit canadianwhiskyawards.com