Whisky: J.P. Wiser’s Legacy
Producer: Pernod Ricard
Distillery: Hiram Walker & Sons
Whisky Type: Canadian Rye Blend
Mash Bill: Rye and malted barley
Region: Windsor, Ontario
Age: NAS
ABV: 45%
Aged in Cask: Toasted and White Oak
Price Range: $$

J.P. Wiser’s Legacy is a brand of Canadian Whisky produced at Hiram Walker distillery in Windsor, Ontario made in honor of John Philip Wiser.

John was a Canadian Distiller born on October 4th, 1825 in Oneida County New York. In 1857 he started working as a manager at his uncle’s distillery in Prescott Ontario and became the sole owner of the Charles Payne distillery after acquiring it from his uncle and a business partner.

J.P. Wiser was the first Canadian distiller to use the term “Canadian Whisky” and had a reputation for quality.

The distillery prospered during the American Civil War (1861-1865), exporting Canadian Whisky south of the border when southern distilleries in the U.S. did not allow distilling to preserve corn to feed the Confederate troops.

A series of mergers and acquisitions that occurred in the 1900s shaped the Canadian Whisky industry and ownership of the J.P. Wiser’s brand. Some of the most important events were:

• In 1917 Wiser’s heirs sold the distillery to Corby Distillery Company with Wiser’s recipe and brand.
• In the 1920s Corby Distillery was sold to The Canadian Industrial Alcohol Company Limited, and company operations moved from Prescott to Corbyville.
• In 1935 Hiram Walker-Gooderham & Worts acquired 51% interest in the Corby Distillery Ltd. Production moved again from Corbyville to Windsor at the Hiram Walker distillery in Walkerville.
• In 1987 French Beverage company Allied Lyons PLC acquired 51% of Hiram Walker-Gooderham & Worts Ltd. and became Corby’s majority owner.
• In 1989 the Corbyville distillery closed. All aging whisky was transferred to the Hiram Walker distiller in Windsor, Ontario.
• In 2005 French beverage conglomerate Pernod Ricard launched a takeover bid of Allied Domecq (previously named Allied Lyons) and acquired ownership of J.P. Wiser’s brand.
• In 2013 Corby changed its name to Corby Spirit and Wine Limited, which operates the Hiram Walker distillery today and keeps ownership of the J.P. Wiser’s brand, which launched in 2010.

J.P. Wiser’s Legacy is a Canadian rye blend made from malted rye, unmalted rye, and malted barley, distilled in Copper Pot Stills, aged in toasted (not charred) oak and white oak, and bottled at 45% ABV. The toasted and white oak barrels might imply a good influence of oak spices and vanilla, but let’s try and see.

You can check my review on the J.P. Wiser Experience at Hiram Walker & Sons here.

Tasting Notes for J.P. Wiser’s Legacy

Nose: Sweet aromas of apples, vanilla, honey, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, and spices.

Palate: A full-bodied, rich, and sweet arrival of brown sugar, apples, ginger, vanilla, and cinnamon, with a touch of black pepper and clove. The clean palate is full of apples. The transition from sweet to spicy rye and oak flavors is almost perfect. Complexity is the appropriate word here.

Finish: Medium to long. Baking spices and oak gracefully linger in the background and provide complexity and power to the blend.

Conclusion: An impressive Canadian Blend. Flavors are well integrated and deliver and delicious and complex experience. A real treat you want to save when in good company. Unfortunately, Hiram Walker has discontinued its production. However, my hope is that there is still some inventory in the U.S. available due to most people overlooking the brand in favor of bourbon. A highly recommended Canadian Whisky and a legit benchmark for the entire Canadian Rye category. Cheers!

If you’re interested in visiting J.P. Wiser’s Distillery, check how to visit the distillery here. Don’t forget to follow.

Score: 4.5/5 ⭐

Legend
$50 or less $
$51-$100 $$
$101-$150 $$$
$151 or more $$$$