Move Over, Drake: Wayne Gretzky Just Launched His Own Whisky

The Great One hopes to follow the success of Drake’s recent footsteps with a new whisky.

After more than 10 years in the wine business (and years of sipping and swirling at parties), Wayne Gretzky launched his No. 99 Red Cask Whiskey yesterday.

And – as he told reporters at a private event at the LCBO in Maple Leaf Sports – he had no idea that Drake was now a competitor. The Trailer Park boys also recently released a whisky.

“We wanted to do something first class. . . to bring something different and unique to separate ourselves from other whiskies,” he told reporters.

wayne-gretzky

So, what’s so “great” about Gretzky’s?

For a unique spin, the spirit is finished in Gretzky’s winery’s red wine casks, resulting in a pale amber coloured whisky. Furthermore, the grains used to produce the blend are grow in the same soils that produce the grapes for his wine in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The target market seems to be directed to the true whisky lovers and connoisseurs.

Of the recent celeb-produced whiskies, Gretzky’s is the only one that is said to cater to seasoned whisky connoisseurs, according to experts, as the Toronto Star reports.

Priced at $34.95, Gretzky’s whisky retails at $34.95 – halfway between the Trailer Park Boys’ Liquormen’s Ol’ Dirty Canadian Whisky ($29.95) and Drake’s Virginia Black American Whiskey at $39.95.

Image: Getty Images

Image: Getty Images

Is the Gretzky name alone enough to make the whisky drinkers stray from their go-to favourites?

The Great One seems to think so, citing the success of his award-winning wines in collaboration with the Peller family.

If you’re ever in Edmonton, you can sip both the wine and the whisky in Gretzky’s brand-new wine and whisky bar at the Edmonton International Airport, coinciding with Gretzky signing on as partner and vice-chair of the Oilers Entertainment Group last week.

Furthermore, for those who appreciate wine over whisky, The Great One’s new Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake will open a state-of-the-art facility to the public in the spring of 2017.

Meanwhile, the No. 99 whisky is now on LCBO shelves (just waiting to hit the ice).

[ninja_form id=104]

[ad_bb1]