Maverick Distillery Is Building Canada’s Bourbon House, One Barrel at a Time
From cask-strength Kentucky Bourbon to Indiana Ryes, the Oakville distillery’s extensive BARNBURNER lineup gives Ontario whisky drinkers the real thing, bottled by Canadians.
TORONTO, Oct. 13, 2026 /CNW/ — Maverick Distillery, an independent, Canadian-owned distillery in Oakville, Ontario, is bringing bourbon country home. Its BARNBURNER lineup now includes seven bourbons, ryes, and whiskies, from cask-strength Kentucky bourbon to two brand-new Indiana ryes, all hand-selected, finished, and bottled by Maverick’s team in Ontario.
Where to buy: BARNBURNER Small Batch Canadian Whisky is available now at select LCBO locations, and you can buy the full lineup online at MaverickDirect.ca, with free shipping across Ontario on orders over $150.
Prefer to shop in person? Explore the full BARNBURNER lineup at the Maverick Distillery Oakville Outlet Store, located at 2140 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, Ontario.
Ask Canadian whisky drinkers what’s missing from the shelf lately, and most will say bourbon. With the Canada-U.S. trade war making many American spirits hard to find, Maverick Distillery went straight to the source, scavenged the best barrels and brought them home, keeping more of the work, and the jobs, in Canada.
“Bourbon is born in Kentucky. That’s the rule, and we respect it,” said Craig Peters, founder of Maverick Distillery. “So we went and found great barrels and brought them home. Everything after the border is Canadian: the blending, finishing, bottling and jobs. Canadians shouldn’t have to give up great bourbon because of politics.”
Peters founded Maverick Distillery in 2009 with TAG No.5 Vodka, Ontario’s best-priced vodka. BARNBURNER began as a 100% Ontario whisky before growing into a full family of bourbon and rye. With a knack for spotting an opportunity and a healthy disregard for doing things the usual way, Peters continues to bring plenty of personality to the spirits world.
“Great whisky can come from anywhere,” Peters added. “No politics, no borders. Our job is to find it, bring the barrels home and keep the value in Ontario.”
THE BARNBURNER LINEUP
- BARNBURNER Ontario Whisky ($35.95): The one that started it all. Corn and rye whiskies aged three years, then again in bourbon barrels. 100% Ontario-crafted.
- BARNBURNER Union Bourbon Whisky Blend ($44.95): 75% Canadian whisky, 25% Kentucky bourbon. When the two finally agree on something, they call it Union.
- BARNBURNER Prohibition Bourbon, 5 Year Old ($52.95): Aged in Bardstown, Kentucky, the bourbon capital of the world, and hand-bottled in Oakville.
- BARNBURNER Cask Bourbon, 5 Year Old ($69.95): Bardstown bourbon at full barrel proof (60% ABV). Brown sugar, toasted oak and butterscotch.
- BARNBURNER Cask Bourbon, 7 Year Old ($89.95): Seven years in Bardstown, uncut, non-chill filtered and hand-numbered to its barrel. The one they almost didn’t let cross the border.
- NEW: BARNBURNER Indiana Rye Whisky ($55.95): A five-year, 95% rye whisky from Lawrenceburg, Indiana, finished in bourbon barrels for bold spice.
- NEW: BARNBURNER 21% Rye Bourbon ($49.95): A four-year high-rye bourbon from Lawrenceburg with a
ABOUT MAVERICK DISTILLERY
Founded in Oakville, Ontario in 2009, Maverick Distillery is an independent, proudly Canadian-owned spirits company. Its portfolio includes TAG No.5 Vodka, GINSLINGER Ontario Craft Gin, LUNÁTICO Tequila, CARGO Rum and the BARNBURNER Whisky lineup, including bourbon and rye. Learn more at MaverickDirect.ca.
Must be of legal drinking age to purchase. Please enjoy responsibly.
SOURCE Maverick Distillery Limited
