Canadian Club facts for kids
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| Type | Canadian whisky |
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| Manufacturer | Beam Suntory (2011–present)
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| Country of origin | Canada |
| Introduced | 1858 |
| Proof (US) | 80 |
Canadian Club is a well-known brand of Canadian whisky. It is made by a company called Beam Suntory. Many people call it "CC" for short. This brand was first created by Hiram Walker and Sons in the mid-1800s. Over time, the company grew and changed names, eventually becoming part of larger groups.
Contents
History of Canadian Club
How Canadian Club Started
Hiram Walker started his distillery in 1858 in Detroit, USA. He had learned how to make drinks earlier in his grocery store. Because of a movement to stop the sale of alcohol, called Prohibition, Walker decided to move his distillery. He moved it across the Detroit River to Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. From this new location, he could send his whisky to other places. He also helped build a town called Walkerville, Ontario for his employees, providing homes and services.
Becoming "Canadian Club"
Walker's whisky became very popular in the late 1800s, especially in places where adults gathered in the United States and Canada. People started calling it "Club Whisky." Walker wanted his drink to be seen as a high-quality product. He emphasized how smooth and pure it was, and that it was aged for five years in oak barrels.
Because "Club Whisky" was so popular, other American companies asked for the word "Canada" to be put on the bottle. They thought this would make it less popular. But it actually made Walker's whisky seem even more special! So, in 1889, Walker added "Canadian" to the label. By 1890, the word "Canadian" became part of the official name: "Canadian Club."
The Distillery's Growth
After Hiram Walker passed away in 1899, his sons took over the distillery. At one point, almost everyone living in Walkerville worked for the Walkers. The family helped build important things in the town, like police and fire stations. They also brought in running water and put up street lights. In 1890, the Canadian government officially recognized Walkerville as a town. Later, in 1935, it became part of Windsor.
During the time of Prohibition in the United States, when alcohol was illegal, the distillery continued to operate in Canada. Canadian Club is now owned by Jim Beam. It is one of their top-selling drinks.
Royal Recognition
Canadian Club has received special honors from the British Royal Family. These honors are called royal warrants. They show that the product is supplied to the royal household. Canadian Club has received warrants from several monarchs, including Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI, and Elizabeth II. Hiram Walker & Sons is the only company in North America that makes spirits to have received these royal warrants.
Fun Advertising Campaigns
The "Hide A Case" Adventure
In 1967, Hiram Walker & Sons started a famous advertising campaign called "Hide A Case." They hid cases of Canadian Club in exciting places around the world. People were encouraged to search for them. Some of these locations included Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Angel Falls in Venezuela, Mount St. Helens in the USA, and the Swiss Alps. One case on Mount Kilimanjaro was not found until the mid-1970s! A few cases, like one hidden far north in the Arctic Circle, were never found.
The first "Hide A Case" campaign ended in 1971. A second one began in 1975, with cases hidden in places that were easier to reach, such as Death Valley and on top of a skyscraper in New York City. This second campaign finished in 1981. Overall, 22 cases were hidden in both campaigns, and at least 16 were found.
The "Hide A Case" campaign was brought back in 2010. This new contest offered a large grand prize and other awards.
Other Promotions
A print advertisement for Canadian Club even inspired a scene in the 1977 James Bond movie, The Spy Who Loved Me.
In 2007, Canadian Club was a main sponsor for the race car driver Dario Franchitti in the 2007 IndyCar Series. He won the championship that year, including the famous 2007 Indianapolis 500 race.
Canadian Club was also often seen in the TV show Mad Men. It was often the drink chosen by the main character, Don Draper.
Different Kinds of Canadian Club
Current Varieties
Canadian Club whisky comes in several different versions. These are some of the ones you can find today:
- Canadian Club 1858
- This is the main version and is sold in over 150 countries. It is the most popular type of Canadian Club.
- Canadian Club Reserve
- This version is aged for 9 years.
- Canadian Club Classic
- This one is aged for 12 years.
- Canadian Club 100% Rye
- This type is made entirely from a single grain called rye.
- Canadian Club Apple
- This is Canadian Club 1858 with an added apple flavor.
- Canadian Club Dock No. 57
- This is Canadian Club 1858 with an added blackberry flavor.
- Canadian Club Mixed & Ready
- These are pre-mixed drinks that combine Canadian Club with dry ginger ale, cola, or soda and lime. They were first launched in Australia in 2001. An advertising campaign in Australia encouraged people who were "over beer" to try Canadian Club, and it became very successful around the world.
Special and Past Varieties
Over the years, Canadian Club has also released special or limited-edition versions. Some of these include:
- Canadian Club Premium
- Canadian Club Reserve (an older 10-year-aged version)
- Canadian Club Limited Edition (aged 20 years)
- Canadian Club Chronicles 41, 42, 43 and 44 (aged for many years)
- Canadian Club 100 Proof (aged six years)
- Canadian Club Sherry Cask (aged in two different types of barrels, including those used for Sherry wine)
For the whisky's 150th anniversary in 2008, a very special 30-year-old version was released in limited numbers.
See also
In Spanish: Canadian Club para niños
