Alberta Premium

Alberta Premium is a brand of Canadian whisky produced by Alberta Distillers Ltd, located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The brand is recognized for its high rye content and has gained international acclaim for its quality.

History

Alberta Distillers Ltd was established in 1946 by Frank McMahon and Max Bell. The distillery was built in the province of Alberta due to the abundance of high-quality grain, particularly rye, grown in the region. The Alberta Premium brand was introduced in the 1950s and has since become a staple in the Canadian whisky market.

Production

Alberta Premium is made from 100% rye grain, a rarity among whiskies, which typically blend rye with other grains. The rye is sourced from farms in the Canadian Prairies. The whisky is distilled in copper pot stills and aged in white oak barrels for a minimum of five years. The use of rye gives Alberta Premium a distinctive spicy and fruity flavor profile.

Products

Alberta Premium offers several products within its range. The core product is the Alberta Premium Canadian whisky, a five-year-old rye whisky. The brand also produces Alberta Premium Dark Horse (also known as Alberta Rye Dark Batch in the US), a blend of rye whisky and bourbon, and Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye, a high-proof version of their standard rye whisky.

Awards and recognition

Alberta Premium has received numerous awards and accolades for its whiskies. Notably, the Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye was named "World Whisky of the Year" in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021, marking the first time a Canadian whisky received this honor.

See also

• Canadian whisky
• Rye whisky
• Alberta Distillers Ltd