Canadian Club: Hiram Walker's Whisky from Windsor, Ontario
Updated: 15 hours ago
Canadian Club, known to many as CC, is one of the best-known names in Canadian whisky. Its story starts with a grocer who learned to distil and ends with cases of whisky hidden around the world.
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Canadian Club at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | Canadian Club |
Country and region | Ontario, Canada |
Ownership / operator | Suntory Global Spirits |
History | According to Wikipedia, Hiram Walker founded his distillery in Detroit in 1858 and later moved it across the river to Windsor, Ontario, where he developed the model community of… |
Whisky identity | Canadian blended whisky with historical links to Hiram Walker's Windsor operation. |
Visiting | Check the producer's latest official tour and opening information before travelling. |
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Hiram Walker and the move to Windsor
Wikipedia says Hiram Walker founded his distillery in 1858 in Detroit. He had learned to distil cider vinegar in his grocery store in the 1830s and produced his first whisky barrels in 1854. With the temperance movement growing and Michigan becoming dry, Walker moved the distillery across the Detroit River to Windsor, Ontario.
He financed Walkerville, a model community that housed and served his employees. The Canadian government recognised Walkerville as a legal town in 1890, and it was incorporated into Windsor in 1935.
From Club Whisky to Canadian Club
The whisky was popular in the gentlemen's clubs of the United States and Canada, so it became known as Club Whisky. American distillers petitioned for the word Canada to appear on the bottle to set it apart. That backfired and made it more exclusive.
In 1889 Walker added the word Canadian to the top of the label. In 1890 the word was moved into the name of the whisky itself. Walker died in 1899 and the distillery passed to his sons.
Prohibition and royal warrants
During Prohibition, one of the distillery's most important clients was the Chicago gangster Al Capone, who smuggled thousands of cases of Canadian Club from Windsor to Detroit, according to Wikipedia.
Canadian Club has held the royal warrants of Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI and Elizabeth II. Hiram Walker and Sons is said to be the only North American distiller ever granted a royal warrant.
The Hide A Case campaign
In 1967 the brand launched Hide A Case, hiding 22 cases of Canadian Club in remote places including Mount Kilimanjaro, Angel Falls and the Swiss Alps, and releasing clues in its advertising until 1981. As of 2024, 16 of the 22 cases had been found. The six still missing are said to be in the Yukon, Loch Ness, Robinson Crusoe Island, Tanzania, the North Pole and Lake Placid.
Range and owner
Wikipedia lists Canadian Club 1858 (no age statement), Reserve (9 years), Classic (12 years) and 100% Rye. They are 40% ABV, except 1858 in Australia and New Zealand at 37%. The brand is described as produced by Suntory Global Spirits, and the Windsor distillery remains in production.
History and range
According to Wikipedia, Hiram Walker founded his distillery in Detroit in 1858 and later moved it across the river to Windsor, Ontario, where he developed the model community of Walkerville. The whisky was first known as Club Whisky because of its popularity in gentlemen's clubs. The word Canadian was added to the label in 1889 and became part of the name in 1890.
Ownership: Hiram Walker merged with Gooderham and Worts in 1926. The brand is now produced by Suntory Global Spirits, which bought it in 2011
Royal warrants: held from Queen Victoria through Elizabeth II, and Hiram Walker and Sons is described as the only North American distiller to receive one
Production: the Walker distillery remains in production in Windsor
Range: Canadian Club 1858 has no age statement. Reserve is aged 9 years and Classic 12 years. There is also a 100% Rye
Advertising: the Hide A Case campaign from 1967 hid 22 cases around the world. As of 2024, 16 had been found
Sources and gaps
Sources: Wikipedia (Canadian Club), read 20 October 2026. The official Canadian Club site and Suntory pages were not read.
Conflicts and gaps: Wikipedia says the brand is now part of the Jim Beam portfolio and also refers to a purchase by Suntory Global Spirits in 2011, so the ownership timeline needs checking against an official source. The year of the move to Windsor, current stills and visitor information were not found. Slug and cover image to be set by hand.
Further source read on 21 October 2026: Wikipedia Canadian Club article.
What makes Canadian Club distinctive?
Canadian blended whisky with historical links to Hiram Walker's Windsor operation.
Canadian Club whisky bottles and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Canadian Club Original | NAS / varies | Check label | Canadian blended whisky with historical links to Hiram Walker's Windsor operation. |
Canadian Club Classic 12 Year Old | 12 years | Check label | Canadian blended whisky with historical links to Hiram Walker's Windsor operation. |
Canadian Club 100% Rye | NAS / varies | Check label | Canadian blended whisky with historical links to Hiram Walker's Windsor operation. |
Canadian Club whisky bottle photograph
Canadian Club whisky 1.14 litre bottle, photographed in Canada in March 2026
This table describes documented expressions. It does not guarantee current stock, age statements or strengths. Check producer labels for details.
More distilleries to explore
Frequently asked questions about Canadian Club
Where is Canadian Club based?
Ontario, Canada.
Who operates Canadian Club?
Suntory Global Spirits.
What distinguishes Canadian Club?
Canadian blended whisky with historical links to Hiram Walker's Windsor operation.
Which bottlings are documented?
Canadian Club Original, Canadian Club Classic 12 Year Old, Canadian Club 100% Rye. Some editions may be historical.
Can you visit Canadian Club?
Please check whether tours are currently operating and book through the producer before travelling.
Sources and editorial checks
Original research and historical notes have been retained. Visitor details, owners and bottle ranges may change.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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