Maverick Barnburner Union Bourbon Whisky Blend Review Canada: Tasting Notes, Value & Alternatives (2026)
We were really excited to try Barnburner Union Bourbon Whisky Blend because the concept immediately caught our attention.
Made with 75% smooth Canadian whisky and 25% bold Kentucky bourbon, Union brings together two different whisky styles in one bottle.
We've really enjoyed other Maverick Barnburner products we've tried, so we were curious to see how this blend would come together.
For us, though, Union was a little lighter and more subtle than we were expecting. It wasn't a bad whisky by any means, but we didn't find quite enough flavour or bourbon character for our palate.
It's another interesting Canadian whisky from the company, but for us, it's not our favourite product from the lineup.
Highlights
Unique Blend — Combines 75% Canadian whisky with 25% Kentucky bourbon.
Light & Easy Drinking — A lighter whisky that should appeal to drinkers who prefer a softer profile.
Interesting Concept — Brings Canadian whisky and Kentucky bourbon together in one bottle.
Quick Review Summary
Rating: 70/100
Best For: Lighter whisky drinkers, Canadian whisky fans, curious bourbon drinkers
Price in Canada: $44.95 CAD
Proof: 86 (43% ABV)
Would We Buy Again? No (just too many other good options in their lineup)
If you like this, try:
Barnburner Prohibition Bourbon
Russell's Reserve 10 Year
Maker's Mark 46
Maverick Barnburner Union Bourbon Whisky Blend Actually Is
Barnburner Union is a Canadian and Kentucky whisky blend created by Maverick Distillery.
The blend combines 75% Canadian whisky with 25% Kentucky bourbon, bringing together a smoother Canadian whisky base with bourbon character from Kentucky.
We were especially interested in this combination because we've enjoyed other Barnburner products and were excited to see how the two whisky styles would work together.
Specs at a Glance
Details | Info |
Distillery | Maverick Distillery |
Location | Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
Mash Bill | 75% Canadian Whisky / 25% Kentucky Bourbon |
Aged | Not publicly stated |
ABV | 43% |
Proof | 86 |
Style | Canadian & Kentucky Whisky Blend |
Price (Canada) | $44.95 |
Tasting Notes (Our Experience)
We were super excited to try Barnburner Union. The idea of combining 75% smooth Canadian whisky with 25% bold Kentucky bourbon sounded like a combination that could work really well, especially considering how much we've enjoyed some of their other products we've tried.
For our palate, though, Union is definitely on the lighter side.
We found some noticeable burn, and overall, there just wasn't enough flavour coming through for us.
We also didn't find it nearly as close to bourbon as some of the other Barnburner products we've tried.
That's probably the biggest thing that surprised us. We expected more of that bourbon character to come through, but the Canadian whisky side was much more noticeable in our experience.
The blend is certainly interesting, and it's not a bad whisky. It just didn't mesh quite as well as we would have liked.
For us, it was a little underwhelming compared with some of the other barnburner bottles we've enjoyed.
Who We Think This Whiskey Is For
Maverick Barnburner Union Bourbon Whisky Blend works best if you:
Enjoy lighter whisky
Prefer smooth Canadian whisky
Like experimenting with whisky blends
Want to try Canadian and Kentucky whisky together
Prefer approachable 86-proof whisky
Enjoy exploring Canadian craft whisky
Want something different from traditional bourbon
Look elsewhere if you:
Want a strong bourbon profile
Prefer rich, flavour-forward whisky
Want a high-proof experience
Prefer bold caramel, vanilla, oak, and spice
Are looking for a close bourbon alternative
Prefer more intense whisky
Is Maverick Barnburner Union Bourbon Whisky Blend Worth It in Canada?
At around $45 CAD for a 750 mL bottle, we think Barnburner Union is fairly priced.
For us, the price isn't really the issue. We just didn't enjoy the whisky as much as we were hoping to.
We found it lighter than expected, with some burn and not quite enough flavour overall. It also wasn't nearly as close to bourbon as some of the other Barnburner products we've tried, such as Maverick Barnburner Cask 7YO.
That said, we still think the blend is an interesting concept, and the price makes it a relatively affordable bottle to try if you're curious about Canadian and Kentucky whisky together.
For us personally, we'd choose some of the other Barnburner expressions we've tried and enjoyed more.
Can You Actually Find It in Canada?
Yes.
Barnburner Union whiskey is made by Maverick Distillery in Oakville, Ontario, and is currently available directly through Maverick. The 750 mL bottle is listed at $44.95 CAD.
That makes Union a fairly accessible option for Canadian whisky drinkers who want to try a blend that incorporates Kentucky bourbon.
Barnburner Union Bourbon Whisky Blend vs Barnburner Prohibition Bourbon (Quick Take)
Barnburner Union: Lighter, softer, and less bourbon-forward. The 75% Canadian whisky and 25% Kentucky bourbon blend creates something different, but we didn't find it quite as flavourful as we'd hoped.
Barnburner Prohibition Bourbon: More bourbon-forward, richer, and closer to the traditional bourbon profile we typically enjoy.
For us, Prohibition Bourbon is the better fit.
That's really more about our personal taste than anything else. We know the company makes some great products, and Union simply wasn't the expression that worked best for our palate.
Canadian Alternative We Think Is Worth It
If you're looking for a Canadian whisky that delivers more bourbon character, we'd recommend:
Barnburner Prohibition Bourbon
We've tried this one ourselves and enjoyed it more than Union.
It's a much better fit for what we typically look for in a bourbon-style whisky, with more flavour and a stronger bourbon character.
If you're already interested in Barnburner and want to explore more of the lineup, this is one we'd suggest trying alongside Union.
Best Ways We Drink It
Neat: Our preferred way to try it first. It lets you experience the blend exactly as it is.
With ice: Worth trying if you want to soften the whisky and make the lighter profile even more approachable.
In a cocktail: We could see this working well in cocktails where you want a lighter whisky that doesn't overpower the other ingredients.
Final Thoughts
Barnburner Union Bourbon Whisky Blend is a bottle we really wanted to love.
The idea of combining 75% smooth Canadian whisky with 25% Kentucky bourbon sounded right up our alley, especially because we've had some really enjoyable products from their lineup before.
For us, though, the blend didn't quite come together the way we had hoped.
It's a lighter whisky, there is some noticeable burn, and we just didn't get enough flavour overall. It also wasn't nearly as close to bourbon as we would have liked.
But that doesn't make it a bad whisky.
We actually like what Maverick is trying to do with Union, and we think the Canadian-and-Kentucky blend is a really interesting concept.
At around $45 CAD, it's also fairly priced and gives Canadian whisky drinkers an affordable way to try something a little different.
For us, though, it's just not our favourite Barnburner product.
We've had other bottles from the brand that we've really enjoyed, so we're definitely not writing off BARNBURNER because of this one. If anything, it makes us want to keep trying more of what they make.
Sometimes a bottle simply isn't the right match for your palate.
For us, Union was one of those bottles.
Final Score: 70/100
🥃 Recommended Bottles to Try
Based on this guide, here are some great REAL Bourbon options currently available in Canada:
Okanagan Spirits BLK BRBN Cask Strength – A richer, higher-proof version with deeper caramel, oak, and spice
BlackFox Single Grain Whisky (Triticosecale) - Great Bourbon Alternative that is exceptionally easy-drinking and flavourful
Maverick Barn Burner Prohibition Bourbon - One of the closest Canadian options to American bourbon, distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky using a traditional bourbon-style mash bill and bottled in Ontario
❓ Bourbon & Whiskey FAQs
What is Barnburner Union Bourbon Whisky Blend?
A whisky blend made with 75% Canadian whisky and 25% Kentucky bourbon.
What does Barnburner Union taste like?
For us, it's a lighter whisky with some noticeable burn and less flavour and bourbon character than we expected.
Is Barnburner Union a good bourbon alternative?
It's an interesting option, but it wasn't our favourite bourbon alternative because we found it lighter and less bourbon-forward than other products we've tried from Maverick Distillery.
Is Barnburner Union worth trying?
If you enjoy lighter whisky or are curious about a Canadian and Kentucky bourbon blend, we think it's worth trying at around $45 CAD.
Would we buy Barnburner Union whiskey blend again?
Probably not. We didn't dislike the whisky, but we enjoyed other Barnburner products more.
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