Field Trip Report – Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd - J.P. Wiser Experience Center

Field Trip Report – Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd - J.P. Wiser Experience Center
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April 8, 2023
The Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd - J.P. Wiser experience center is a popular tourist destination at 2072 Riverside Drive East in Windsor, Ontario. This historic distillery is the birthplace of Canadian Club whiskey and has been in operation for over 160 years. The center offers visitors an immersive experience of the history and production of whiskey in Canada. In this report, I will share my experience visiting the Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd - J.P. Wiser Experience Center, where I took part in a guided production tour and a whisky analysis and tasting exercise. The origins of the distillery business started as early as the middle 1800s, when Hiram Walker moved from Boston to Detroit and started his store, wholesale grain trading, and made moonshine to make blended whiskeys.
Additionally, during this time, JP Walker bought a distillery, started importing corn, and then started building these facilities, which were used to start the distillery business. During the tour, we learned about the various steps of Canadian whisky production, from grain receiving and processing to distillation and aging. I was amazed to learn how similar whisky production is to culinary practices and how different ingredients impact the final product's flavor. During the whisky analysis and tasting exercise, we tasted and compared different types of Canadian whisky, learned about the theory and concepts behind whisky analysis, and explored how different factors like aging times and blending techniques contribute to the final flavor profile. Overall, it was an eye-opening and enjoyable experience, and I cannot wait to explore the world of whisky further.
Section 1 - Production Tour
The Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd - J.P. Wiser Experience Center offers a guided production tour that takes visitors through the various steps of Canadian whisky production. The tour is an immersive experience that provides a glimpse into the art and science of whisky-making. Throughout the tour, visitors learn about the different areas of the distillery and the processes that take place in each area. This was one of the things I liked with the tour.
Grain Receiving and Processing
During the tour, visitors explore the grain receiving and processing area, the first stage in whisky production. This area involves processing grains like corn, wheat, and rye before they are moved to the fermentation area. Different grains require varying treatments based on their characteristics, which can influence the final flavor profile of the whisky. For instance, corn is cooked longer and used in larger quantities than other grains like rye or wheat. However, this distillery uses cereal grain, mashed, distilled, and aged in Canada. Accordingly, this included using wooden barrels for at least three (3) years and achieving at least a 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) level before being accepted for the next step of the process. On our tour, the visitors can witness the equipment used in the grain processing area, such as the hammer mills, roller mills, and sifters.
Fermentation Area
Another exciting area that visitors get to explore d...