On May 5, this year at the historic Hotel de Wereld in Wageningen, Pax44 will proudly unveil the Liberation Day Edition— a limited release of a Canadian whisky crafted to commemorate 80 years of freedom in the Netherlands. This poignant launch takes place at the very site where, on May 5, 1945, German forces formally surrendered to Canadian General Charles Foulkes and his team including Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, marking a new era of peace.
ThePax44 Liberation Day Edition is a Canadian whisky delicately flavoured with Dutch chocolate, symbolizing the enduring bond between Canada and the Netherlands.
“Pax44 is a message from the past inspiring hope,” said Owen James, founder of Pax44. “This launch marks a victory for all those who have successfully calibrated the moral compass and upheld the warrior code. It acknowledges the unbreakable bond between the Netherlands and Canada.”
Crafted from a single cask of 18-year-old Canadian rye whisky — personally selected and gifted to Pax44 by one of the world’s leading shippers — the Liberation Day Edition offers a bold, earthy aroma layered with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a signature spicy rye finish. Subtle traces of Dutch cocoa enrich the experience, gently appearing on the nose and lingering through the finish.
Only a limited number of specially boxed bottles of the Liberation Day Edition have been produced for ceremonial presentations this year. These collector’s items are not available for sale, emphasizing the commemorative nature of the release. The unique cask will continue to mature, with a wider public release planned for Liberation Day 2026.
Visitors to Hotel de Wereld are invited to try Pax44 and explore the story behind its creation — a powerful reminder of sacrifice, friendship, and the moral compass that guides nations toward peace.
As Prime Minister Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy declared in 1945: “We remember those we lost. We honour those who fought. And we look ahead to rebuilding a peaceful and democratic Netherlands. “Today, that spirit endures with Pax44.