September 4, 2025 - Toronto, ON: As the end of patio season nears, new research from technology company Square found that the “buy Canadian” movement remains stronger than ever, and has grown beyond the grocery store to restaurants, bars, and breweries. According to a survey commissioned by Square, 65% of respondents say they have prioritized homegrown spirits, beer, and wine over U.S. brands when enjoying a drink this patio season.

“Whether it’s due to national pride, support for local producers, or backlash over shifting trade dynamics, it’s clear that Canadians are increasingly choosing domestic alcohol over U.S. imports,” said Ming-Tai Huh, Head of Food and Beverage at Square. “Canada has some incredible wine, beer, and spirits, and consumers see buying local as both a way to get premium products and to keep more of their spending within local communities.”

Canadians Tip Big After Hours

The later into the night, the bigger the tip: Square’s nighttime economy data confirms Canadians are most generous at 3:00 a.m., leaving an average bar gratuity of 17.8% across seven of its largest cities. And Winnipegers lead the pack; at the peak hour, their tips jump to 19.7%, making them English Canada’s most generous nighttime tippers.

Bar tips also consistently outpaced those in Canadian cafés and restaurants. Between 2020 and 2025, bar tips were notably higher than in other types of Food & Beverage businesses, routinely averaging 14–15%.

Overall, in July 2025, tips in every Food & Beverage category were stable or slightly down compared to pandemic peaks. For example, bar tips averaged 14.4% across cities, while tip percentages at cafés were 12.7% on average during the month.

Canada’s New “Party City” Power Duo

For the second year in a row, Calgary has tied for the title of Canada’s “Top Party City,” but this year it has a new partner at the top: Edmonton. The two Alberta cities have the nation’s top nighttime economies for 2025 based on the share of transaction volume from businesses using Square’s tools and services across Canada.

Square looked at millions of in-person transactions in some of Canada’s largest cities and found that both Alberta cities have the largest share of nighttime spending (32%) at bars, cafés, and restaurants occurring between 7:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. 

Toronto, which tied with Calgary for the top spot last year, has seen a significant decline in its nighttime economy in 2025, dropping to second to last place with only 21% of transactions occurring at night. Vancouver placed last with a mere 17%.

Toronto isn’t an outlier; overall nighttime spending is down in major cities across the country for the second year in a row, including our Party City co-leader Calgary, whose share of nighttime spending is down from 38% the previous year (Edmonton was not previously ranked). 

“The slowdown we’re seeing in Canada’s nighttime spending is really a sign of changing times,” said Huh. “With rising living costs, Canadians are watching their budgets more closely, and hybrid work may mean fewer after-work get-togethers. But despite the challenges, bars and restaurants have a big opportunity: by creating memorable experiences—whether through great service, unique offerings, or seamless payment options—they can stand out and build loyalty with customers.”

Demand for Mocktails Continues Trending Upwards

Another big story this summer involves the mocktail, which has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity since the pandemic. While not surprisingly, businesses are still earning more from cocktails nationally, in Winnipeg, non-alcoholic beverages outperformed cocktails between November 2024 and February 2025. In Edmonton, sales of mocktails are consistently higher than their alcoholic counterparts. 

“To stay relevant, breweries and manufacturers are investing into zero-proof options, leading to high quality drinks that are virtually indistinguishable from their alcoholic counterparts," said Stuart Wheldon, CEO of Junction Craft Beverage Co. in Toronto, who began producing and offering non-alcoholic alternatives in 2022. "As the 'sober curious' movement continues to gain momentum, this is great news for Canadians who want to cut down on alcohol while still enjoying a night out. It also allows businesses to diversify their menus and appeal to evolving consumer tastes and preferences.”

For more information about how Square’s integrated ecosystem of commerce products can help bars and breweries start, run and grow, visit .

*Methodology: An online survey of n=1,533 Canadians, 18+. Completed between July 25 and July 27, 2025, using Leger’s online panel. No margin of error can be associated with a non-probability sample (i.e., a web panel in this case) For comparative purposes, though, a probability sample of n=1,533 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20. Incidence weighting was completed by gender, age, region, education, and language, based on Statistics Canada data

GRIMSBY, ON, Sept. 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Forty Creek announces the retirement of Master Blender Bill Ashburn, marking the end of a 38-year career with the business during which he redefined whisky in Canada. An icon in the industry and a central figure in Forty Creek's legacy, Ashburn will retire from his role at the end of December.

"For me the pleasure of making whisky is in trying to push the boundaries, trying to do things differently and trying to find new flavours and expressions. I've been fortunate enough to do that with the team at Forty Creek," said Ashburn. "Whisky will always be a passion of mine, but I'm excited to begin a new chapter focused on family and my work as a breeder and trainer of wire fox terriers."

Ashburn began his career in the wine industry over four decades ago, before moving to Reider Distillery in 1987, the location that would later become Forty Creek. Throughout his tenure, his relentless curiosity and pursuit of excellence pushed the bounds of what Canadian whisky could be, establishing Forty Creek as one of Canada's most celebrated whisky brands. A pioneer in the industry, Ashburn's unique approach to grain specific blending and barrel aging trailblazed a new path for the industry.

In 2000, Forty Creek's inaugural whisky Barrel Select, launched under Ashburn's direction, quickly becoming a best-selling product and setting a new benchmark for quality in the industry. Ashburn's portfolio is a testament to his creativity and mastery in the field, from the launch of Barrel Select to annual Limited Time Offerings and ground-breaking innovations like Confederation Oak. Other limited-edition blends like Double Barrel proved so popular they became permanent offerings. His work has been celebrated on the national and international stage including Canadian Master Blender of the Year and Whisky Maker of the Decade.

"Bill's legacy is woven into every bottle we produce," said Doug Costantini, General Manager, Campari Canada. "His dedication, innovation, and mentorship have left an indelible mark on our team and the Canadian whisky industry at large. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and look forward to carrying on the time-honoured traditions of craftsmanship, quality and innovation that he established within our walls."

Ashburn's final release as Master Blender will be unveiled later this year, acting as a tribute to his historic career and capturing the essence of his decades-long body of work.

As Forty Creek ushers in a new era, the distillery remains steadfast in continuing Ashburn's legacy, reiterating Campari Group's commitment to the Grimsby plant and proudly producing Forty Creek in Ontario. Mentored personally by Ashburn, the innovation team will continue to push boundaries with bold, complex blends that reflect the brand's commitment to creativity and excellence. Meanwhile the blending and quality teams will ensure that every bottle of Barrel Select tastes the same as when Bill first crafted it in 2000.

Canadians hoping to bid farewell to Ashburn before his retirement are encouraged to visit the Forty Creek Distillery located at 297 South Service Road in Grimsby during Whisky Weekend September 20 and 21, 2025.

ROTHES, Scotland, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Glen Grant introduces Exploration No. 1, the first release in a limited-edition series of single malt Scotch whiskies to be released every other year celebrating the distillery's explorative heritage. Finished in rum casks, Exploration No.1 is a sumptuous whisky with a depth of sweetness and the vibrancy of tropical fruits from the selected cask finish. This meticulously crafted Speyside single malt Scotch whisky paves the way for the next expressions in the Exploration Series. Each new release will explore the unique flavours imparted from different cask finishes sourced from around the world, offering a fresh perspective on The Glen Grant's singular character.

The Exploration Series draws inspiration from the visionary spirit of James 'The Major' Grant, the distillery's eccentric and adventurous forefather. Known for his passion for discovery, 'The Major' travelled far and wide in his worldly quest to uncover flavours that would inspire the singular character for The Glen Grant. Elevating the vibrancy of the Glen Grant's delicately aromatic spirit defined by a fruity character, the finishes on these limited-release whiskies tell a story of rich layers of flavour, influenced by the specific cask selection.

Exploration No. 1

Made and bottled at The Glen Grant in Rothes, Scotland, the process for creating Exploration No. 1 begins with distillation in The Glen Grant's custom-designed stills and purifiers, which results in a unique flavour profile. It is then aged in traditional stone dunnage warehouses using ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in exquisite rum casks for added depth and complexity before being bottled on-site at 48% ABV. Bright amber like the Caribbean sun, the whisky offers aromas defined by the rich fruity sweetness of berries, oranges, and ripe banana.  With warming spices on the palate, the taste is guided by vanilla vibrancy and tropical notes whilst the finish is long, creamy with a hint of fresh pineapple.

"To this day at The Glen Grant, we strive to evoke these same characteristics in the making of our scotch just as The Major was explorative in his travels and visionary with his whiskies," said Greig Stables, Master Distiller. "Each release in the Exploration Series has been an opportunity for us to experiment with distillation, finishes and flavour profiles. I'm very excited to launch the series with Exploration No. 1, a vivid expression that is best enjoyed neat or with a splash of water."

"In the past several years I've developed a real love and admiration for aged rums, and an understanding of just how deep and rich the flavours of rum can be," says Greig Stables, Master Distiller at the Glen Grant.  "This experience inspired us to explore the impact of a rum finish on the distinctive fruity character of The Glen Grant.  What we found was the amplification of the flavours, bringing a vibrant topicality to the fruity foundations of our spirit."

He continues, "At The Glen Grant, we strive to honour 'The Major's' legacy, by embracing his spirit of exploration in the making of our whisky and in our innovation philosophy. Like Exploration No. 1, each release in the upcoming series will be an opportunity for us to experiment with distillation, finishes and flavour profiles. I'm very excited to share these new expressions with our community."

Availability

The Glen Grant Exploration No. 1 launches globally in retail channels in select markets this month following an initial release in global travel retail destinations across Asia-Pacific at an RSP of $120 USD.

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NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bruichladdich Distillery has today, September 2^nd, launched its highly anticipated annual Octomore series. Octomore is a ground-breaking Islay single malt brand which continues to confound the whisky industry year upon year. The 16^th series is a powerful lineup featuring sky-high PPMs, traceable barley and a unique selection of fine casks from all over the globe.

Considered by the distillery to be "The Impossible Equation," Octomore is designed to push the boundaries of whisky-making, challenging consumer's ideas about age, peating levels and near cask-strength ABV.

"Octomore exists to provoke and challenge," says Bruichladdich Distillery Master Blender, Adam Hannett, "something that is on paper so polarising, it shouldn't really work – it's too young, too strong and too peaty - hence 'The Impossible Equation.' But with each new Octomore expression, the spirit continues to surprise and delight with its depth, its campfire smoke and its incredible flavour profile."

There are three expressions in Series 16, each layered, complex and ever-changing – evolving further when left to breathe or through adding a drop of water.

The start of the Octomore journey, 16.1 provides the reference point for this series' unorthodox experimentation. 16.1 is crafted using 100% Scottish Mainland Concerto Barley, malted to 101.4 PPM and aged in cask for five years, with an ABV of 59.3%. This elegant liquid is matured in first fill bourbon barrels, bringing intense peat smoke with surprising delicacy. Salted caramel, honeyed melon and apricot are followed by chocolate and coconut, accompanied by a soft wave of earthy minerality and lingering smoke. Octomore 16.1 is priced at $204.99.

Octomore 16.2 invites you further on the journey, providing an irresistible comparison to 16.1. This expression uses the same distillate as the 16.1, has been aged in cask for five years and bottled at 58.1% ABV. The 16.2 has been housed in a fine selection of Oloroso and Bordeaux casks before being finished in Madeira and Portuguese Moscatel for a rich and complex flavour.  Caramelized sugar, roasted nuts, and dried fruits abound, enveloped in sweet smoke. This is the first time this combination of casks has been used in an Octomore expression, demonstrating Adam's ability to constantly innovate: "We have an unparallelled selection of casks available to us and it's important to continue to experiment and push boundaries." Octomore 16.2 is priced at $244.99.

Octomore 16.3 is a showcase of single farm, single field and whisky-making. The archetypal Octomore liquid is produced in its entirety from barley from Octomore Farm.  Continuing the Series 16 odyssey, this ultrahigh-provenance single malt whisky explores the influence of barley grown exclusively in Church Field on Octomore Farm, Islay. A symphony of honeyed malt, toasted grain and a distinctive earthiness meets delicate threads of smoke and salinity. 16.3 has been aged five years full term in Bourbon, Sauternes and Pedro Ximénez casks with the Islay barley malted to 189.5 PPM and bottled at 61.6% ABV. Octomore 16.3 is priced at $279.99. "The locally grown and harvested Islay barley takes the spirit in another direction," continues Hannett. "For me, whisky should evoke a sense of place, and the earthy, cereal-forward notes of Octomore 16.3 speak of its island origins."

Each Octomore single malt Scotch whisky has been conceived, distilled, matured, and bottled on Islay. The spirit is un-chill filtered, contains no added color and has been brought to strength using Octomore Spring water from Islay.

Octomore Series 16, including 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3, is available to purchase online at and in specialist whisky retailers as of September 2, 2025. Prices for the Octomore Series 16 start from $204.99.

For more information visit