When a whisky is known all around the world, it can create quite the impact.
Home to Alberta Premium, which is one of the bestselling 100 per cent rye whiskies in the world, Alberta Distillers Limited has been owned and operated by Suntory Global Spirits (previously known as Beam Suntory) for the last decade.
One of the oldest distilleries in Canada, Alberta Distillers started in 1946 in Calgary, Alta., where three entrepreneurs came together to create history. Max Bell, a rancher, Frank McMahon, a Canadian oilman and George Reifel, a distiller, built the Alberta Distillers brand to be grounded in western Canadian values. They wanted to give back to the community by making affordable and high-quality products.
Starting out on 23 acres, the distillery is now in the heart of Calgary on 42 acres of land. The site has two rail spurs on-site that can ship and receive by rail, ISO tankers and tanker trailers, keeping the history of its story close to its heart. The site itself sits over 3,000 feet above sea level, with exceptionally dry air that has lasting impacts on Alberta Distillers’ sought-after taste profile. With its unique location, the distillery can create exceptional whiskies, such as its Canadian Club, and other products, including Alberta Premium, Alberta Pure Vodka, Reifel Rye and Northern Keep Vodka.
None of the products that make it to the shelf or into customers’ glasses would be possible without Craig Dryburgh, the plant general manager, Deepti Gurkar, the national marketing director, Bernard Sous, the senior distillery manager and Maria Palafox, who is in charge of quality control. Together, the Alberta Distillers team creates products that have received attention not only in Canada, but around the world.
As a long-standing distillery, Gurkar says it’s when people try a product, or they get the opportunity to visit the distillery to see what’s next, that people realize how much effort, knowledge, heritage and innovation goes into Alberta Distillers’ products.
Using a hammer mill and their three enzyme reactors to create their own enzymes over six to 10 days, their products go through three mash cookers, with each cycle taking about four hours. Alberta Distillers has 20 different fermenters. The whisky spirits are aged in three different types of wood barrels, including new white oak and once-used bourbon barrels. Alberta Distillers is one of the few sites in Canada that can age barrels in both rack-style and pallet-style warehouses.
The turnaround for the vodka is quite quick, while the process for whisky is always blended with at least the minimum requirements for aging (with some of their whisky having been aged over 20 years to be integrated into their blends). The first stage of the process is grain receiving, cleaning and milling. The second stage sees mashing liquefaction and saccharification, which takes eight hours and leads into stage three: fermentation after addition of the yeast, which takes about four days. During the fourth stage, the first distillation occurs using their beer still column, which produces a high wine that is a continuous process.
Lastly, the fifth stage is the redistillation of the spirit for either a vodka specification or whisky specification, depending on the product. The whisky is aged for at least three years in barrels, depending on the age requirement for that product.
Many of Alberta Distillers’ products can be found on shelves across Canada. Currently, they are not distributed in Quebec, but some of their Alberta Premium can be found throughout the U.S., while Canadian Club can be found globally. Alberta Premium also has limited distribution in Japan.
“We do a few things very uniquely. All of our grains come from local farmers in Alberta with a little bit from Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Sourcing grains from local farmers is important,” said Gurkar. “We love everyone that works within our facility. Their attention to detail is important – the quality is met year after year. We enjoy using the best ingredients, having the best people working with our products, putting it through the rigour of the facility in its unique location, then coming up with a liquid to make all of Canada proud, especially when we win international awards.”
Alberta Distillers won Distillery of the Decade in 2020 at the Canadian Whisky Awards, and many of their products are endowed with a variety of awards. Northern Keep Vodka won Double Gold at the SIP Awards in 2023. Alberta Pure Vodka won Double Gold at the International Spirits Challenge in 2023 and Double Gold at the SIP Awards in 2024. The Alberta Premium Cask Strength received Gold at both the Canadian Whisky Awards and the SIP Awards in 2023, and received Silver at the International Spirits Challenge in 2024. Alberta Distillers won not only a Gold medal, but was also titled the Category Winner for their Canadian Club 100% Rye. Additionally, Reifel Rye, named after one of the founders, was well recognized last year, receiving Gold at the International Spirits Challenge, Best New Whisky of the Year at the Canadian Whisky Awards in 2023 and a Silver medal at the 2024 International Spirits Challenge.
Focusing on the future, Alberta Distillers is looking forward to incorporating more sustainability into their day-to-day practices.
“We’re committed to aligning with Suntory Global Spirits’ goals by 2030,” said Gurkar. “Upgrading the boilers, installing water management systems, water seals and pumps to up our efficiency. Vapour compressors are being installed [as well].”
Additionally, Gurkar says Alberta Distillers has an ongoing partnership with the University of Alberta, working with the recovery of rainwater and treating liquid waste streams. They are participating in ongoing studies to ensure that environmental consciousness is in the forefront of their production decisions, working toward more sustainability in their actions, not just their words.
“We love everyone that works within our facility. Their attention to detail is important – the quality is met year after year. We enjoy using the best ingredients, having the best people working with our products, putting it through the rigour of the facility in its unique location, then coming up with a liquid to make all of Canada proud, especially when we win international awards.”
Deepti Gurkar, Alberta Distillers Limited
“Canadian whisky can be so broad and is often referred to as rye even without any rye, so we’ve been on a mission [to educate people on] what a 100 per cent rye whisky is,” said Gurkar. “You can visit ryewhiskyacademy.com and you can learn about the difference of high rye whiskies. Rye is very well loved in Canada. I don’t think we always understand what skill it takes to make a great rye whisky.”
Keep an eye out because there’s more coming from Alberta Premium this year, and Alberta Distillers is continuing to grow some of their craft brands like Reifel Rye and Northern Keep Vodka.
As a long-standing distillery, Gurkar says it’s when people try a product, or they get the opportunity to visit the distillery to see what’s next, that people realize how much effort, knowledge, heritage and innovation goes into Alberta Distillers’ products.
Looking to the future, Alberta Distillers is focused on continuing to create quality products that bring people together.
