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Dolce proudly attends the second annual Invitation Series hosted by Canadian Club to embrace its origins and enjoy a limited-edition one-time release.

For more than 160 years, two things have defined the exceptional quality of the iconic Canadian whisky brand Canadian Club: its origins and the quality of the rich amber product inside its bottles.

Of course, Canadian Club can boast that it’s an award-winning brand; most recently, it won Gold at the 2024 International Wine & Spirit Competition for its Canadian Club Classic 18-Year-Old High Proof. It can be said without prejudice that it is always the go-to choice for savvy drinkers who are looking for a classic cocktail or simply a great-tasting whisky served neat because of its smooth and easy-to-drink flavour.

What makes the brand truly special, in my view, is its graciousness in offering, with each of its one-time Invitation Series releases, a warm invitation to both newcomers and aficionados to step into its premium whisky world. Dolce was fortunate enough to receive this invitation, and the evening did not disappoint.

This past fall, Canadian Club hosted the elegant celebratory launch event at Woods Restaurant in the heart of downtown Toronto to showcase the exclusive Canadian release of Canadian Club Classic 18-Year-Old High Proof.

The evening upheld its promise of camaraderie, connection, cuisine and whisky craftsmanship from the moment I entered. I was greeted with a Canadian Club Al Capone: two parts Canadian Club Classic 12-Year-Old, one part vermouth and a half-part Italian red bitter liqueur, garnished with an orange zest.

Canadian Club brand ambassador Mike McLean graced the evening with his presence, leading the dinner with his informative, inspiring and immersive guided tasting. Guests indulged in a unique curated Canadian menu that featured Haldimand County prime New York striploin with a whisky jus and chocolate-pecan pie topped with whisky whipped cream. In front of each guest at the table were three sampling glasses containing a Classic 15-Year-Old Sherry Cask, a Classic 12-Year-Old and, the star of the show, the Classic 18-Year-Old High Proof.

But what truly made the evening one to cherish was witnessing the passion with which McLean shared the history and artistry that defines Canadian Club. When asked what he loves most about his job, his answer was immediate and unequivocal: “Everything.” Intrigued, I pressed further, “Everything you do?” He nodded and said, “Yes, everything I do.”

That same palpable enthusiastic energy continued throughout the night as he recounted how the notorious gangster Al Capone was a certified customer of Canadian Club during the height of his bootlegging enterprise during Prohibition. Capone would buy hundreds of cases of Canadian Club at $7 a case, smuggle them back into the United States and then resell each case for $70.

Many of those who didn’t have the resources to smuggle the illegal booze back into the United States by road like Capone had to drive across the ice of the frozen Detroit River from Windsor, Ont., at great risk to their lives. Although the interiors of their cars were stripped down to lighten the weight, the ice beneath them would often still break, and to this day bottles of Canadian Club can be found at the bottom of the Detroit River.

It was truly a special night that was filled with fascinating conversations and the heady caramel and toffee aromas and nuanced flavours of the Canadian Club Classic 18-Year-Old High Proof. For more than 160 years, Canadian Club has welcomed everyone unreservedly to enjoy its product, forge deeper relationships and create new memories worth cherishing. By the end of the night, I truly felt like I was a part of the “Club.”
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