If you've walked into an Ontario liquor store lately and noticed the bourbon shelf looking a little bare, you're not imagining it. The effective ban on American spirits across much of Canada has created a gap that many Ontario whisky lovers are feeling — but for Craig Peters, owner of Maverick Distillery in Oakville, Ontario, it opened the door to something extraordinary.

The Story Behind Maverick Distillery

Maverick Distillery has always been a little different. Based in Oakville, Ontario, Craig Peters built his brand around the art of blending — combining the best of Kentucky bourbon with the character of Canadian whisky to create something uniquely his own. His Barnburner line of whiskies quickly earned a following among Ontario whisky drinkers who appreciated bold, well-crafted blends with real Kentucky heritage at their core.

At the heart of that lineup is Barnburner Union Whisky, a blend of authentic Kentucky bourbon and Canadian whisky that delivers the rich, full-bodied flavour bourbon lovers crave — made accessible and proudly sold right here in Ontario.

When Prohibition Came Knocking Again

When American spirits were effectively pulled from shelves across Canada, most bourbon fans were left scrambling. But Craig had a plan — and the inventory to back it up.

He had 400 barrels of Kentucky bourbon stowed away south of the border. Rather than leave them sitting, he made the bold decision to ship every one of those barrels to Canada. The result? Barnburner Prohibition Kentucky Whiskey — a limited, 100% Kentucky-sourced bourbon now bottled right here in Ontario.

"There's effectively a prohibition on bourbon now in Ontario and in most of Canada," Craig explained. "We kind of picked up on that whole prohibition play. It's effectively U.S. bourbon we're bottling in Ontario."

It's a fitting name. Just like the original Prohibition era created a black market for prized American spirits, today's trade-driven bourbon drought has made authentic Kentucky whiskey harder to find than ever — and Maverick is one of the only places in Ontario where you can still get it.

What Makes Barnburner Prohibition Special

Barnburner Prohibition isn't a Canadian whisky trying to taste like bourbon. It is Kentucky whiskey — distilled in Kentucky, aged in virgin oak barrels according to strict American bourbon standards, and now available to Ontario consumers who refuse to compromise on flavour.

Whether you're a longtime bourbon fan mourning the empty shelves or a curious whisky drinker looking to try something with real provenance, Barnburner Prohibition delivers the genuine article. And the fact that it's bottled locally in Oakville means you're also supporting an Ontario craft distillery with every pour.

Craft Distilling, Ontario Proud

At Maverick Distillery, the passion for whisky goes beyond any single product. Craig Peters represents a new generation of Ontario craft distillers who are creative, resourceful, and deeply knowledgeable about what makes great whisky. Whether blending Kentucky bourbon with Canadian whisky or shipping barrels across the border to fill a market gap, Maverick consistently delivers products that are worth seeking out.

For Ontario whisky enthusiasts, this is the kind of local story worth raising a glass to.

Find Barnburner Prohibition and the full Maverick Distillery lineup at maverickdistillery.ca — and taste what it means to make the most of every opportunity.