Gibson's Finest Canadian Whisky: A story of persistent excellence

Oddly enough, the beginnings of Gibson's Finest Canadian Whisky don't even start in Canada. In fact, we need to look south of the border to Pennsylvania and the shores of the Monongahela (Mawn-Nonga-Heelah) River. There, in 1856, John Gibson left his native Scotland and purchased 40 acres of prime land. His aim was simple - craft the best whisky in the Americas.

With his Scottish perseverance, quality local ingredients and a steadfast focus firmly on his goal, by the end of the 19^th century, the Gibson's Distilling Company was indeed the largest and best manufacturer of rye whisky in North America.

A toast to John's success.

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Then came the dark, joyless days of American prohibition. The legal consumption of whisky dried up and so did Gibson's bank account. On a sad day in 1923, every still, every barrel, every bit of grain, and every drop of spirit was auctioned off. The highest bidder was Schenley Industries of New York.

Let's pick up the Gibson's story again in the 1970s. Fifty years after that fateful auction, Schenley Distillery, staying true to John Gibson's passion of producing the finest rye whisky possible, began crafting Gibson's Finest 12 Year Old Canadian Whisky in Valleyfield, Quebec. Using only the best Canadian ingredients and shaped by the unique Canadian climate, the first batch was distinctly Canadian and of such unsurpassed quality it was truly uisque beatha (Gaelic meaning 'water of life').

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Today the Gibson's Finest brand is owned by William Grant & Sons and is produced in Windsor, Ontario. Makers of such famed Scotch whiskies as Grant's Family Reserve, Glenfiddich and The Balvenie, William Grant & Sons are just as dedicated to producing superior quality as was John Gibson himself.

It's good to know that the spirit of John Gibson lives on in every bottle.

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