Alberta Premium Cask Strength Whisky

If there was a prize for the most underappreciated distillery in Canada, Alberta Distillers (ADL) would be a clear winner. Regardless of what other rye labels may say, many of the planet’s most celebrated rye whiskies originate in this Calgary distillery, even if bottled by others.

ADL buys over six million dollars worth of rye grain from local farmers each year to keep its stills operating 24/7. The volume of rye whisky they produce from it is one reason why so many other producers seek them out. The most important reason, though, is quality. The late distilling guru, Dave Pickerell often said that ADL makes the best rye whisky in the world and who are we to doubt him?

So, when Alberta Distillers puts its own name on a one-off whisky, it should surprise no one if that whisky is simply astounding. A cask strength version of Alberta Premium released late in 2019 was precisely that. The rye showed its magic when demand for that first batch, rolled out across the country at 65.1%, so outstripped supply that ADL pulled a second batch out of their hat in 2020, this one at 66%.

Alberta Premium Cask Strength’s Origins

Behind the scenes, years of planning went into this whisky. Alberta Distillers know they make a world-class rye whisky and this release was an occasion to showcase it. Whatever they chose to release would have to show ADL at its best. It turns out that meant all-rye whisky at cask strength.

“We use 100% rye grain, and we create our own enzymes to work with the grain during mash cooking and fermentation,” explains ADL General Manager George Teichroeb. “We use a pot still to finish the distillation and take the best cut from the still to age. Alberta Premium Cask Strength is then aged in new, charred white oak barrels, a distinguishing factor that sets this whisky apart from most Canadian whiskies, which are aged in multi-used barrels. Along with using new barrels, we also reduced the barreling strength slightly to allow the new wood to do its magic.” This is uncut whisky folks, drawn straight from the barrel.

Cask Strength Full Flavour

The rye's nose rockets from its whisky launchpad. An initial hit of caramel that turns briskly peppery with soft dry cereal notes, hints of dark fruit and maple candy is a feature in both releases. The intensity of its flavours would make a pig whistle. The difference between the two releases is in the rye’s spiciness: The 2020 bottling packs a smidgen more power. Regardless, both are equally bright, fruity, sweet and very spicy, with mint, mild vanilla and herbal notes late on the palate. A golden glow on the finish matches the gold medal last year’s edition won at the 2020 Canadian Whisky Awards. The hype for this whisky is genuine and deserved.

When ADL releases a special whisky, it normally gets snapped up quickly, and the cask strength expression too disappeared from shelves with a poof. Could this be the start of a steady stream of ADL expressions and the end of the normal prolonged drought between releases?

“We are proud of the successes we’ve seen with our special releases," says Teichroeb. "And while we can’t share full details of products before they reach market, I can tell you that we will continue to innovate, and have plans to release limited editions in the coming years."

In 2021 Alberta Distillers marks its 75th anniversary, so we can hardly wait to see what’s in store. Until then, we’ll celebrate this milestone with this cask strength whisky. One that stands proudly behind its name: Alberta Premium Cask Strength.