Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote holds a bottle of Black Fox’s single-grain whisky. The distillery won Worldwide Whisky Producer of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition.Black Fox Farm & Distillery/Supplied
The crop-to-connoisseur approach of Black Fox Farm and Distillery impressed judges at the International Wine and Spirits Competition who named the family-owned Saskatoon operation Worldwide Whisky Producer of the Year. The global producer trophy from the U.K.-based competition recognizes a distillery’s portfolio, innovation and commitment to quality.
Co-owners John Cote and Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote are fifth-generation farmers who expanded their focus from grain farming to distilling in 2015, growing 95 per cent of their own grains and producing a range of small-batch whisky, gins and liqueurs with ingredients harvested on the property. Flavours derived from the site are amplified by aging whisky and select gin barrels outdoors throughout the year exposing the spirits to the elements, including temperature extremes that can swing from 40 degrees C in summer to -40 degrees in winter.
“Canadian whisky has traditionally been led by massive brands, so it’s nice to see a craft element coming through,” Judge Joel Harrison explains in a release from the London-based competition. The awards committee was impressed by Black Fox’s commitment to craft distilling and an extreme soil to still embrace of its location.
Fifth-generation farmers John Cote, right, and Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote started distilling 10 years ago.Black Fox Farm & Distillery/Supplied
Black Fox’s recognition in the whisky category was merited by gold medal awards granted to a limited release Blended Canadian Whisky from 2024 and Single Grain Canadian Whisky, produced from triticosecale, a hybrid of wheat and rye propagated in the 19th century. The distillery also received a near-perfect 99-point score for its Haskap Gin, a result achieved by only three other gins since the competition was founded in 1970.
The founders credit their success achieved over the past decade to patience, purpose and pride in where they come from.
Canadian whisky is good, actually
“It’s nice to have this spotlight on the interesting things happening in this country and our distillery in particular,” says John Cote, who promotes the authenticity of each bottle produced with an individual serial number that can be used online to receive a certificate of provenance outlining production dates and details. The information sheet for Black Fox whisky outlines specifics about grain type as well as fun facts stating minimum and maximum temperatures experienced during barrel aging and the number of days with 20-degree temperature swings.
“It’s important to share that degree of traceability,” he explains.
Cote light-heartedly says the win in London offers his enterprise “a week in the spotlight,” but it’s clear how the couple keys on international and domestic competitions to benchmark their quality against other distilleries. “It is a good news story, but you also get a sense of where Canada fits in on the world stage and what we specifically bring to the table.”