Gibson’s Finest Canadian Whisky
Gibson's Finest Canadian Whisky is a brand of blended Canadian Whisky produced at 40% alcohol by volume (80 U.S. proof). The brand is owned by the Scottish family-operated distilling company William Grant & Sons. Gibson's Finest was founded by John Gibson in 1856,[1] and is currently produced in Windsor, Ontario[2] distilling three different variants: Gibson's Finest Sterling, Gibson's Finest Rare 12 Year Old and Gibson's Finest Venerable 18 Year Old. It is the third largest selling whisky in Canada.[3]
History
The Gibson's whisky brand was started by founder and Scotland native, John Gibson, in 1923 as a rye whisky produced at a distillery in Pennsylvania along the Monongahela River.[1] Prohibition in the United States closed the distillery and shortly afterwards the entire Gibson plant and its contents were auctioned off.
As prohibition was ending, Schenley Industries purchased the Gibson's brand and in 1945, a Schenley subsidiary called Schenley Distillers Corporation established a distillery in Valleyfield, Quebec.[4] In 1972—50 years after the auctioning of the Gibson's distillery—Schenley re-introduced the Gibson's name using whisky distilled at Valleyfield.[5] The Gibson name re-surfaced on whisky bottles no longer containing Pennsylvania rye, but rather Canadian whisky.
Today, Gibson's Finest Canadian Whisky brands are owned by family distiller, William Grant & Sons and produced at the Hiram Walker distillery in Windsor, Ontario.[4]
Products
Gibson's Finest comes in three variants, Gibson's Finest Sterling, Gibson's Finest Rare 12 Year Old and Gibson's Finest Venerable 18 Years Old.[6]
Awards
Gibson's Finest Sterling, Rare 12 Year Old and Venerable 18 Year Old have all won awards at major whisky competitions including Gold for the Rare 18 Year Old at the 2012 Canadian Whisky Awards[7] and gold and silver respectively for the Rare 18 Year Old and the 12 Year Old at the 2006 San Francisco Spirits Competition.[8]
Canadian Football League (CFL) sponsorship
Gibson's Finest Canadian Whisky has been the official spirit of the Canadian Football League since 2004, sponsoring the weekly and monthly player awards since 2009.[9] Gibson's Finest also sponsors The Toronto Argonauts,[10] Winnipeg Bluebombers,[11] Edmonton Eskimos[12] and Football Reporters of Canada (FRC).
References
- 1 2 Dezin, Don. "From the Monongahela River to the World: John Gibson Sons & Co." (PDF). The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ De Kergommeaux, Davin (2012). Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart Ltd. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-7710-2743-7.
- ↑ "Gibson's Canadian Whisky". Drinks Mixer. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- 1 2 Buxton, Ian (2012). 101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die. London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-7553-6319-3.
- ↑ De Kergommeaux, Davin (2012). Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart Ltd. p. 279. ISBN 978-0-7710-2743-7.
- ↑ De Kergommeaux, Davin (2012). Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart Ltd. pp. 318–319. ISBN 978-0-7710-2743-7.
- ↑ "2012 Canadian Whisky Awards". CanadianWhisky.org. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "2006 Results by Brand" (PDF). San Francisco Spirits Competition. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Gibson's Finest and CFL announce partnership". CFL.ca. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Toronto Argonauts Corporate Sponsors". argonauts.ca. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Winnipeg Bluebombers Corporate Partners". bluebombers.com. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Edmonton Eskimos Corporate Partners". esks.com. Retrieved February 13, 2013.