Hand-dipped. One at a time. Every time.
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Our Story
The Founder's Dream
1946, Western Canada. A time of optimism, and new beginnings. And a land of opportunity. Two industrialists, Frank McMahon and Max Bell,with fortunes made in mineral mining, have an ambition.
To distill world class Canadian spirits. And - with legendary master distiller George Reifel - they opened the doors of Alberta Distillers. The first distillery of Western Canada.
The Finest Ingredients
Spirits are the alchemy of water and grain. We source our grains from local prairie grains from farmers in Alberta, SK and MB. This elevation contributes to a generally drier climate throughout the year. These harsh weather conditions influence and affect the soil and the grain itself and essentially add “stress” to the growing conditions, resulting in a more “hard-working” and resilient variety of rye. This specific rye grain ultimately gives that spicy flavor profile.
Proudly Canadian
The only thing better than the taste of our incredibly smooth and delicious spirits is the fact that they’re made with locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients. Every batch is carefully crafted alongside local farmers, telling the story of Alberta’s robust flavours and agricultural history. Supporting our communities and farmers is a part of our provenance, and continues to be at the heart and soul of every one of our products.
Origins
Since day one, three things above all have mattered to Alberta Distillers Limited - Community, Craftmanship and the Natural World. And they have never been more important to us as they are today. We are local community, using local ingredients - grains from the prairies and glacial water from the rocky mountains. And then we aren't outside, we are here, working hard making the finest Canadian spirits. Doing things the right way : patiently and meticulously crafting to exacting standards. Never cutting corners. And never compromising on quality. This is what makes Alberta Distillers Limited, and is why our spirits have been celebrated, globally, as the pinnacle of Honest Canadian Craft since 1946.
OUR PROCESS
01 Preparation
Unmalted grain of different types and varieties from the Canadian Prairies is received and stored. Grain is ground into meal (fine flour) before it is transferred to a mash cooker.
OUR PROCESS
02 Mashing
Meal is mixed with water to make a “mash” and heated to a cooking temperature that promotes the enzymatic breakdown of starch into simple sugar.
OUR PROCESS
03 Fermentation
Cooled mash is transferred to a fermentation vessel. Yeast convert simple sugars into CO2 and alcohol. At the end of 3-4 days, the final alcohol % of the distiller’s beer is approximately 9-12% ABV.
OUR PROCESS
04 Distillation
Beer is converted into High Wine in the Beer Still. High Wine is converted into new spirit in one of three distillation trains: Continuous, Batch or Kettle.
Our vodka brands are at least triple distilled. Our whisky brands are double distilled which are then transported to the barreling stage.
OUR PROCESS
05 Barreling
The place where spirit meets wood. New charred white oak barrels, once used Bourbon barrels and re-used barrels are filled depending on spirit type. 400 - 600 barrels move through the hall on a daily basis. At the dump trough, the bung is removed and a breather is inserted before the barrel is turned and the precious liquid is collected for a blend. Alberta Distillers Ltd. is the last Canadian distillery to dumb barrels this way.
OUR PROCESS
06 Aging
Our warehouses are located over 3000 feet above sea level. There are a total of 23 warehouses (a combination of pallet and rack) on site containing a maximum of 500,000 barrels.
OUR PROCESS
07 Quality Control
Spirit is analyzed at every step in the process to ensure a final product of the highest quality. Physical and sensory analysis is performed on every sample that enters the laboratory.
ALBERTA DISTILLERS LIMITED
Our Products
Alberta Distillers continually pushes the boundaries of what Canadian spirits can be, distinguished quality at an affordable price. With the heart of our products being rich prairie grains, grown by farmers who have worked with us for decades, we're proud to be made local. Experience the luscious, signature flavours that can only be found in an award-winning collection.
