Black Velvet first came out of the barrel in 1951. The brand was initially known as “Black Label,” but after Jack Napier, the original distiller, sampled the first batch, he changed the name to Black Velvet to reflect its uncommon velvety taste and smoothness. It’s sold in over 55 countries around the world. Using crystal clear Canadian water, plus the finest rye, grains, and corn, the whisky is painstakingly distilled, Blended at Birth™, and put up in premium oak barrels to gently mature. Black Velvet Reserve was started in 1991 and has steadily grown in popularity due to its smooth taste from longer aging.