In 2010 we began working with a young distiller with a simple goal to make some of the most uncompromising spirits that Canada had ever seen. He’d source local honest ingredients, work with local artisans, proud Ontario grain growers and malters and go to work building onto Canada’s respected but mostly forgotten tradition of fine 100% Canadian Rye Whisky.

First, using his copper pot still, he perfected The White Rye which expressed the great personality and aging potential of local Ontario rye and malt. Then he sourced oak barrels from respected American and Canadian cooperages before finally, over 3 years ago, filling the first oak cask to ready and send it through time.

To be called Canadian Rye Whisky means something. But to be called 100% Canadian Rye Whisky means something more. It means pride. It means at least 3 full years of aging in oak casks. It means 100% of the rye is Canadian – not blended with other grains or corn. It means 100% of the rye saw the full aging – not a blend of some aged and some young. It means liquid truth.

This summer Geoff Dillon @dillonsdistills dusted off the oak time machine he called Cask 2 to reflect on his dream of making a Canadian Rye that the world would recognize as distinctly Canadian. Of making a Canadian Rye that we will all be proud of; as friends and locals and Canadians.

Today Geoff and the gang at @dillonsdistills realized the dream and released this ultra limited cask 2 to a long awaiting crowd of enthusiastic whisky drinkers of which I’m one. Hit it out of the park Mr. Dillon.

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The package design aims to tell the simplistic story of making this rye the right way by sourcing Ontario rye grain and then milling, malting and coopering here in Ontario. The copper bands that adorn the 200ml bottle are used in the Chad Copper Pot Still to increase the rye to copper exposure during the distillation process. Finally the map wrapper tells the stories of all the characters involved in making such a critical product for Canada.