Merridale Cidery and Distillery has won a prestigious award for one of their spirits, Whisky Jack’s.
Whisky Jack’s has been awarded gold for Best Small Batch Single Malt whisky at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards.
This spirit was the first whisky ever crafted at Merridale. It was distilled in 2007 and aged for over 15 years to achieve the flavour, aroma and colour it presents today.
This small-batch spirit carries a personal significance for Janet Dochery, owner and chief disruptor at Merridale.
Merridale says it was named in honour of two men—Jack Docherty, father of Merridale owner Janet Docherty, and Jack Pipes, father of former co-founder Rick Pipes.
“This release is deeply sentimental for us at Merridale,” says owner Janet Docherty.
“To now see it recognized on the global stage is incredibly meaningful. This whisky was created in honour of our dads, and we were proud to share it with our customers—we hope they enjoyed it as much as we did.”
She added that the Jack’s love of whisky and their lasting influence on the founders inspired this spirit.
“Their legacy now lives on through this globally recognized whisky.”
The whisky is made from 100% organic BC malt, aged for five years in French oak before finishing for two additional years in a barrel that previously held Merridale’s Cowichan Cider Brandy.
Then, after over a decade of bottle aging, which Merridale says helped it develop its rich character, mouthfeel and distinctive finish.
Whisky Jack’s has now sold out from the distillery and all retailers, but Merridale says that their whisky journey is far from over.
Currently, they have a new small-batch whisky aging that was made using similar methods.
It is now three years into maturation, and will be ready when it is ready.
In the meantime, whisky lovers can be guaranteed a bottle of the next small-batch release coming this November if they join Merridale’s ‘Speakeasy Club’.
This club offers exclusive access to limited editions and first picks of their finest spirits, says Merridale.
“This year’s World Whiskies Awards highlighted just how strong our industry is, with several Canadian producers earning top honours,” said Docherty.
“And with American whiskies becoming harder to find on shelves, there’s never been a better time to explore and appreciate the incredible spirits being made right here at home.”
Of note, Merridale wants to specifically put Master Distiller Laurent Lafuente in the spotlight for his and his team’s efforts in making this whisky so successful.
