Corby's Lot No. 40 awarded Canadian Whisky of the Year

Three Corby Brands Recognized at Canadian Whisky Awards with Top Industry Nods

TORONTO, Jan. 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Corby Spirit and Wine has been recognized with three prestigious honours at the sixth annual Canadian Whisky Awards, including 2015's Canadian Whisky of the Year for Lot No. 40. Corby's Gooderham & Worts and J.P. Wiser's Hopped Canadian whiskies were also recognized with the Award of Excellence – Best New Whisky and the Award of Excellence—Innovation, respectively.

"Over the past year, Corby has focused on innovation to really push the boundaries of our capabilities, to stay on the forefront of ever-changing market trends, and to ensure we're providing consumers with the spirits they desire," says Patrick O'Driscoll, President and CEO of Corby Spirit and Wine. "2015 was truly the year for Canadian whisky and we couldn't be prouder that a number of our brands received top recognition. The Canadian whisky industry is founded on innovation and it's an industry that we're honoured to have helped found, right back to our roots with J.P. Wiser, Gooderham & Worts, Hiram Walker and of course, Henry Corby."

Canadian Whisky of the Year winner Lot No. 40 is expertly distilled in small batches using only the finest locally sourced ingredients, showcasing the true essence of Canadian rye. Distilling in a single copper pot still results in a whisky with enhanced rye spices. After aging in virgin oak barrels, it becomes full bodied and complex with a velvety vanilla oak finish. Lot No. 40 has been named Whisky of the Year winner twice in the past three years, but this year's win is extra-special given that the awards received more small-batch whiskies than ever before.

"Having Lot No. 40 recognized as Canadian Whisky of the Year is like winning the Stanley Cup of whisky," says Dr. Don Livermore, Master Blender. "The fact that Lot No. 40 was the top pick among a panel of judges from all over Canada is particularly rewarding. The success of our family of Canadian whiskies is absolutely a testament to the passion and dedication of the 350 individuals at our Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario, who are the men and women behind the whisky."

Select list of awards:
Lot No. 40 – Canadian Whisky of the Year ($40)
Gooderham & Worts – Best New Canadian Whisky ($45)
J.P. Wiser's Hopped – Best Canadian Whisky Innovation ($29)
For a full list of winners, please visit: www.canadianwhisky.org

About The Canadian Whisky Awards
The Canadian Whisky Awards recognize the very best Canadian whiskies and encourage distillers to maintain the highest standards for making whisky. To qualify, the whisky must be distilled and matured in Canada. An independent panel of whisky writers, bloggers, and journalists selects the winners after tasting each whisky blind. Operated on a not-for-profit basis, the Canadian Whisky Awards are fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry.

About Corby
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a leading Canadian marketer and distributor of spirits and imported wines. Corby's portfolio of owned-brands includes some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including J.P. Wiser's®, Lot No. 40®, Pike Creek®, and Gooderham & Worts® Canadian whiskies as well as Lamb's® rum, Polar Ice® vodka and McGuinness® and Criollo® liqueurs, produced by its sister company, Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd., based in Windsor, Ontario. Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard S.A., a global leader in the spirits and wine industry, Corby also represents leading international brands such as ABSOLUT® vodka, Chivas Regal®, The Glenlivet® and Ballantine's® Scotch whiskies, Jameson® Irish whiskey, Beefeater® gin, Malibu® rum, Kahlúa® liqueur, Mumm® champagne, and Jacob's Creek®, Wyndham Estate®, Stoneleigh®, Campo Viejo®, Graffigna® and Kenwood® wines. In 2015, Corby was named one of the 50 Best Workplaces in Canada by The Great Place to Work® Institute Canada for the fourth consecutive year, and was also listed for the second time among Greater Toronto's Top 100 Employers. Corby is a publicly traded company based in Toronto, Ontario, and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols CSW.A and CSW.B. For further information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter (@CorbySW), and Instagram (@CorbySW).

SOURCE Corby Spirit and Wine Communications

Image with caption: "Dave Mitton, Global Canadian Whisky Ambassador, Corby Spirit and Wine (left) and Dr. Don Livermore, Master Blender, Hiram Walker & Sons (right) accept the Canadian Whisky of the Year award for Lot No. 40 from Davin de Kergommeaux, Chairman of the Judges, Canadian Whisky Awards (centre). (CNW Group/Corby Spirit and Wine Communications)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160120_C5335_PHOTO_EN_602519.jpg

Image with caption: "Corby Spirit and Wine has been recognized with three prestigious honours at the sixth annual Canadian Whisky Awards, including 2015’'s Canadian Whisky of the Year for Lot No. 40. Corby’'s Gooderham & Worts and J.P. Wiser'’s Hopped Canadian whiskies were also recognized with the Award of Excellence– - Best New Whisky and the Award of Excellence - —Innovation, respectively. (CNW Group/Corby Spirit and Wine Communications)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160120_C5335_PHOTO_EN_602521.jpg

Amandine Robin, Director, Communications, Public Relations and CSR, Corby Spirit and Wine, Email: [email protected], Telephone: [phone]; Laura Bruce, Senior Brand Manager, Canadian Whisky, Corby Spirit and Wine, Email: [email protected], Telephone: [phone]