Forty Creek Canadian Whiskey: Review, Owner & Price Guide

There’s a corner of Ontario wine country where something unexpected happens — whisky gets made. Forty Creek distills its spirits in Grimsby, a town better known for wineries, and the result has quietly built a cult following among Canadian whisky fans. Whether you’ve spotted a bottle at the LCBO and wondered what all the fuss is about, or you’re already a Barrel Select devotee curious about the broader range, this guide walks through what the brand actually offers, who owns it, and how it stacks up against both competitors and critics’ rankings.

Distillery Location: Grimsby, Ontario, Canada · Owner: Campari Group · Type: Canadian whisky · Avg Price (750ml): $20 ex-tax · Top Review Source: Reddit r/whiskey

Core details about Forty Creek whiskies at a glance.

Is 40 Creek whiskey made in Canada?

Yes — Forty Creek whiskies are distilled and bottled in Grimsby, Ontario, Canada. The distillery sits in the Niagara Peninsula wine region, which means the spirits benefit from the same climate and terroir that have made Ontario’s wine industry famous.

Distillery location

Grimsby is a small town about an hour west of Niagara Falls, historically known for fruit farming and more recently for its vineyards. Forty Creek’s decision to set up shop here, rather than in traditional whisky-producing regions, has helped shape a distinctive flavour profile that reviewers consistently note as different from mainstream Canadian blends.

Production details

The LCBO lists the Barrel Select as crafted from a blend of grain whiskies finished in ex-bourbon and new American oak barrels. All Forty Creek expressions carry 40% alcohol by volume according to official product listings.

Who owns Forty Creek whiskey?

Campari Group, the Italian beverage giant behind the red vermouth aperitif, assumed control of the Forty Creek brand around 2014. Bill Ashburn, who co-created the Barrel Select with founder John Hall, has remained as Master Blender under the new ownership.

Current ownership

Campari Group is headquartered in Milan and owns a portfolio of spirits brands worldwide, including Wild Turkey and Appleton Estate rums. The company has been expanding its Canadian whisky presence, and Forty Creek fits into its premium-craft strategy.

History of acquisitions

John Hall founded Forty Creek in the late 1990s, launching the Barrel Select in 2000. The brand gained a devoted following for its unconventional approach to Canadian whisky before Campari’s acquisition brought international distribution resources.

How is Canadian whisky made?

Canadian whisky laws allow considerable flexibility compared to counterparts in Scotland or Ireland. Distillers can use multiple grain types, employ column and pot stills, and most distinctively, legally add significant quantities of flavouring whisky — often rye-based — to a base spirit.

Forty Creek process

The Barrel Select follows the Canadian tradition of blending multiple aged grain whiskies. The LCBO describes it as a blend finished in ex-bourbon and new American oak. Reviewers note aromas of corn, butterscotch, almond, vanilla, and orange peel. The distillery is transparent about using Ontario’s water sources and local grain where possible.

Unique blending

Forty Creek has experimented with secondary maturation in unusual casks. A 2012 review from Whiskey-Reviews.com noted a dark hazelnut colour and flavours of fig, date, and plum that some attributed to Cognac cask finishing, though this specific production detail isn’t listed on current LCBO pages. The Copper Bold Reserve, which scored 89 points at Tastings.com, is recommended for cocktails like the Flip, Toronto, and Manhattan — suggesting a heavier, richer base suited for mixing.

What is considered the best Canadian whiskey?

Rankings vary wildly depending on who you ask and what criteria they use. Crown Royal, Canadian Club, and Forty Creek frequently appear on “best of” lists, with Forty Creek often praised as a step above mass-market blends.

Rankings

Forty Creek has accumulated multiple gold medals at international competitions including the World Whisky Awards. The Copper Bold Reserve earned a Silver Medal and 89-point score from Tastings.com (tasting dated July 15, 2024) — respectable territory for a blended Canadian whisky priced under $50.

Forty Creek position

On enthusiast forums like Reddit’s r/whiskey and the Toronto Whisky Society, Forty Creek frequently comes up as a craft alternative to Crown Royal and Canadian Club. Users describe it as easy-drinking, smooth, and offering better value per dollar than the big-name brands. Total Wine’s listing calls it “a very good Canadian whiskey with superb flavouring, works neat or mixed.”

What is the difference between Canadian and Irish whiskey?

The distinction comes down to law, climate, and tradition — and it’s more significant than most casual drinkers realize.

Flavour profiles

Irish whiskey tends toward lighter, fruitier spirits — think apple, pear, and floral notes — thanks to unmalted barley and triple distillation. Canadian whisky leans darker and sweeter, with rye providing spice and grain whiskies adding vanilla and caramel depth. Forty Creek’s profile skews heavily toward the latter, with butterscotch and maple notes that reviewers consistently highlight.

Production rules

Irish whiskey must be distilled and aged in Ireland for at least three years in wooden casks. Canadian whisky requires aging of at least three years in Canada but allows more flexibility in mash bill composition. The result is that Canadian distillers can experiment more aggressively with flavoured whisky bases, which is where Forty Creek’s distinctive sweetness comes from.

Five key variants — size and price tell their own story across LCBO listings.

Three core specs define what each bottle brings to the table.

Clarity on claims

A quick round-up of what’s verified and what remains rumour.

What people are saying

Professional reviewers and everyday drinkers offer contrasting but consistently positive perspectives on Forty Creek’s flavour and value.

“Forty Creek is not your typical Canadian whisky… It’s different and quite tasty.”

— Whiskey-Reviews.com reviewer

“A rich and maple-y Canadian Whisky sipper; use this in a stirred after dinner drink and take advantage of its coffee notes.”

— Tastings.com tasting panel, 2024

“To start with I like Forty Creek Barrel Select — it is an easy-drinking and smooth Canadian whiskey.”

— Distiller.com user

For Ontario buyers who want a whisky that punches above its price point, Forty Creek is a reliable pick at the LCBO. The Barrel Select at $32.95 handles both neat sipping and cocktail duty, while the Honey Spiced expression at $32.85 offers a gentler entry point for those new to brown spirits. The Double Barrel Reserve at $39.95 on sale is worth grabbing if you prefer a richer profile — the promotion ends January 4, 2026.

For readers outside Ontario, the picture is murkier. BC has stock check availability for the Double Barrel Reserve, but other provinces have spotty listings. The Campari Group ownership theoretically opens doors for wider distribution, but Forty Creek hasn’t yet achieved the shelf ubiquity of Crown Royal or Canadian Club.

Buyers on a budget should focus on the Barrel Select as the best value-per-dollar option, while those seeking a special-occasion pour can justify the Confederation Oak Reserve at $74.10 — it occupies a different tier entirely from the flagship.

Related reading: Range Rover Price in Canada

Fans of Forty Creek often compare its smooth profile to premium Irish counterparts, including the acclaimed Midleton Very Rare 2024, for nuanced flavor explorations.

Frequently asked questions