White Owl Whisky: The Clear Alternative from Highwood Distillers

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed)
Oct 22nd 2010 at 4:02PM

White or clear whiskies aren't entirely new to the market. American distillers have been producing them for years. Explaining their lack of color is simple enough: "fresh make spirit" – that is, whisk(e)y straight from the still – comes out clear. The amber color we're used to in our whiskies is imparted by the years spent aging in wooden barrels. American clear whiskey simply skips that step, giving customers a clear spirit that can be used in cocktails just a you would vodka or gin, just with a different flavor – while skipping the time-intensive aging processs.

White Owl Whisky takes a different approach. Unlike in the United States where regulations don't mandate that a whisky needs to be aged, Canadian rules are closer to those in Scotland: a whisky must be aged for at least three years in wooden barrels to be called whisky. White Owl does even better, with some of the spirits contained therein having been aged for ten years. Its makers Highwood Distillers of Alberta have filtered it extensively through charcoal until the color is gone, but the flavor stays.

The result can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks like any other whisky, or mixed into cocktails for a fresh take on the Bloody Caesar – a Canadian version of the Bloody Mary that adds clam juice and which Highwood calls the Clam WOW (White Owl Whisky) – or the Night Owl, an intriguing alternative to the usual Vodka/Red Bull.

Tags: canadian whisky, clear whiskey, clear whisky, highwood, highwood distillers, rye whiskey, rye whisky, whisky, white owl whisky

Filed under: Spirits

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Amanda Garnham Oct 26th 2010 11:18AM

Dear Noah
I was very interested to read about the new white whisky and inspired to tell you about the AOC Blanche d'Armagnac, a 'white', (crystal clear) version of France's oldest spirit that achieved AOC status in 2005.

As you know, Armagnac is made from the distillation of white grapes (Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Baco and the historical variety of Folle Blanche) which gives Blanche a very fruity and aromatic taste. It is perfect chilled with caviar or smoked fish for example on its own or an excellent base for cocktails.

Several of the Armagnac producers make the Blanche and many are available in the US through their importers such as Heavenly Spirits www.heavenlyspirits.info and Baron Francois in NYC.

Please do get in touch should you wish to know more.