New distillery aims to make Parkland County known for world-class whisky and spirits
EDMONTON -
A new distillery hopes to put Parkland County on the map for its quality spirits.
Anohka Distillery, Alberta's newest farm to flask spirits production site, opened on Friday. According to the owner, the name, derived from Sanskrit, means strangely wonderful and uncommon.
"That's everything that we're trying to do," said Gurpreet Ranu.
Ranu himself is a bit uncommon. He's still working toward completing a master's in brewing and distilling through a Scottish university.
He also has a degree in physics and until recently practiced corporate law.
"I was a litigator primarily practicing insurance defence law," Ranu said.
Everything needed to create a high-quality spirit is available within Parkland County, Ranu says.
"We have the resources. We have the grain. We have the ability to make world-class whisky right here," he added.
The first batch of whisky has to age in a barrel for at least three years, so the only product available so far is their gin, called Tempest.
"You get a lot of the big citrusy notes off this one," Adam Koziak, Chateau Louis Liquor Store manager, told CTV News Edmonton. "It's very well balanced."
Tempest is already being sold at dozens of liquor stores in Alberta. Koziak says tons of craft distilleries have opened in recent years, with the trend catching up with the local craft beer scene.
"The best part about it is everyone is doing their own unique thing," he added.
Ranu credits the problem-solving skills he learned as a physicist and lawyer for his early success as a distiller.
"I am all in on the distillery business," he added. "I'm going to keep my legal license.
"I will continue to practice, but I will be in-house counsel, so my only client will be the distillery."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 INVESTIGATES
W5 INVESTIGATES Jungle crackdown: Shutting down a treacherous narco migrant pipeline
This week, Avery Haines follows migrants' harrowing journeys across the Darien Gap. Strict new rules to stem the flood of migrants through the notorious stretch of dense jungle appear to be working, but advocates fear it could backfire.
Supplies rushed to communities isolated by Helene as U.S. death toll rises to nearly 100
North Carolina officials pledged to get more water and other supplies to flood-stricken areas by Monday after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across the U.S. Southeast and the death toll from the storm rose to nearly 100.
NEW
NEW What are the top baby names? Statistics Canada releases new list
If you're struggling to find a name for your baby, you can get some ideas from a new list of popular names.
John Ashton, 'Beverly Hills Cop' actor, dies at 76
John Ashton, the veteran character actor who memorably played the gruff but lovable police detective John Taggart in the 'Beverly Hills Cop' films, has died. He was 76.
What is open and closed this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
This Monday, Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday and day of remembrance for the Indigenous children who never came home from Canadian residential schools, as well as those who survived them.
Earth will have a temporary 'mini moon' for 2 months
The space rock — 2024 PT5 — was first spotted in August by astronomers at Complutense University of Madrid using a powerful telescope located in Sutherland, South Africa.
Hezbollah says it is ready for any Israeli land invasion in Lebanon
Hezbollah's deputy leader Naim Qassem, in his first public address since Israel assassinated the group's chief last week, said the movement is ready to confront any Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon.
Ontario pedestrian dies after being struck by OPP vehicle
A pedestrian has died after reportedly getting struck by an OPP cruiser in Bala early Sunday morning.
Rustad wants B.C. Indigenous rights law repealed. Chief sees that as 40-year setback
British Columbia saw a rare unanimous vote in its legislature in October 2019, when members passed a law adopting the United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, setting out standards including free, prior and informed consent for actions affecting them.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Calgary
-
2 people found dead in Calgary home; homicide unit investigating
The Calgary police homicide unit is investigating after two people were found dead in a home in the community of Penbrooke Meadows.
-
Calgarians rally in support of Lebanon as conflict escalates in the region
Calgarians gathered for a rally on Sunday in support of the people of Lebanon as conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate in the region.
-
Child injured in coyote attack in northwest Calgary
A child was sent to hospital after being attacked by a coyote in northwest Calgary.
Lethbridge
-
Delay in sentencing for three ringleaders convicted of mischief at Coutts blockade
The sentencing for three men convicted of helping lead and coordinate the COVID-19 protest blockade at Coutts, Alta., in 2022 has been delayed.
-
Lethbridge boy reunited with first responders, bystanders who saved him from near-drowning
A 10-year-old boy from Lethbridge is being praised as a hero after a routine summer outing at the pool nearly turned tragic for his friend.
-
Sticky-fingered bandits in Lethbridge ice cream heist charged
A man and woman have been charged after a Lethbridge ice creamery was broken into earlier this week. Staff arrived at Cookie Crimes, in the 300 block of Sixth Street South, just before 5:30 a.m. on Monday to discover the front window broken.
Saskatoon
-
'You feel so alone': Hundreds gather in Saskatoon for final Gallagher memorial walk
The fourth and final walk in memory of Megan Gallagher drew around one hundred people in Saskatoon on Sunday.
-
Loon Lake church destroyed in fire, Sask. RCMP investigating cause
RCMP are seeking tips after a church on Main Street in Loon Lake burned to the ground.
-
Man arrested following two stabbings in Saskatoon
Saskatoon Police Service has arrested a suspect in connection with two separate stabbing incidents that occurred earlier this month.
Regina
-
'A sense of identity': Regina Public Library hosts architectural tour of historic central branch
The Regina Public Library (RPL) downtown hosted an architectural tour on Sunday, for folks looking to learn more about the building's history.
-
Saskatchewan recognizes Police & Peace Officers' National Memorial Day
In front of the Saskatchewan Legislative building, law enforcement officers and members of the public gathered to pay tribute to peace officers who died in the line of duty.
-
Man who allegedly robbed a business in McLean with edged weapon arrested, RCMP report
A man is in custody after allegedly robbing a business in McLean, Sask. with an edged weapon on Saturday.
Vancouver
-
5 events to commemorate National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Vancouver
Here are five things to do in Vancouver this weekend to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
-
Wildfire forces tactical evacuation in Christina Lake, B.C.
Tactical evacuations were underway in Christina Lake, B.C., Sunday afternoon due to an out-of-control wildfire, according to officials.
-
DNA testing on 30-year-old bullet casings ordered in B.C. murder appeal
Bullet casings recovered from the scene of a B.C. woman’s murder 30 years ago will be retested for DNA after the province’s highest court ruled it is “in the interests of justice” to do so in support of an ongoing appeal.
Vancouver Island
-
DNA testing on 30-year-old bullet casings ordered in B.C. murder appeal
Bullet casings recovered from the scene of a B.C. woman’s murder 30 years ago will be retested for DNA after the province’s highest court ruled it is “in the interests of justice” to do so in support of an ongoing appeal.
-
B.C. has the lowest fertility rate in Canada, StatsCan says
The fertility rate in Canda reached an all-time low in 2023, and the lowest rate was recorded in British Columbia, according to new data from Statistics Canada.
-
Eby says more than 90 per cent of British Columbians to benefit from tax cut promise
New Democrat Leader David Eby, speaking before his largest crowd of the provincial election campaign, says he's making a tax relief election promise that will benefit more than 90 per cent of people in British Columbia.
Toronto
-
Ontario MPP seeks paid provincial holiday for Truth and Reconciliation day
Ontario's only First Nation representative at Queen's Park plans to soon table proposed legislation, in his own Indigenous language, to have the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation declared a paid provincial holiday.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING One dead in Weston shooting: police
One person is dead following a shooting in Toronto’s Weston neighbourhood Monday morning.
-
Homes and vehicle struck by gunfire in Rosedale and York Mills overnight
Toronto police are investigating after two homes and a vehicle were struck by gunfire in separate areas late last night in Rosedale-Moore Park and York Mills.
Montreal
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Port of Montreal dockworkers begin three-day strike at two terminals
The union representing longshore workers at the Port of Montreal began a three-day strike at two terminals.
-
2 dead after head-on collision in Candiac
Provincial police (SQ) say a head-on crash on Highway 30 in Candiac has left two people dead.
-
'Programming error' results in accidental sale on Quebec liquor products
The provincial Crown corporation in charge of liquor sales in Quebec says a computer issue resulted in all its products being temporarily listed at 30 per cent off on its website.
Atlantic
-
Women entrepreneurs front and centre at Fredericton 'pop-up shop' showcase
Women entrepreneurs from across New Brunswick were front and centre at a ‘pop-up shop’ showcase on Sunday.
-
Labrador residents say 'inhumane' food prices force families to go hungry
A mother in a community where the cost of living is one of the highest in the country says grocery prices are 'inhumane' and retailers are putting profits ahead of people’s basic human right to food.
-
Honouring our roots: East Coast Ukrainian Festival returns to Halifax
The East Coast Ukrainian Festival kicked off at Pier 21 in Halifax on Saturday, celebrating Ukrainian culture and traditions.
Winnipeg
-
Rainfall, wind warnings in effect for northern Manitoba
Residents in Tadoule Lake, Man., and Churchill can expect to see heavy rain trickle in Sunday afternoon, lingering until Monday evening.
-
Astronaut Jeremy Hansen lands in Winnipeg at Royal Aviation Museum
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen touched down in Winnipeg this week, ahead of his lunar mission set to launch in a year’s time.
-
Candle sparks flames in William Whyte-area home
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews believe a candle caused a major house fire in the city’s William Whyte neighbourhood Sunday afternoon.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING Fundraiser in honour of young girl raises $66k for Ottawa's children's hospital
The family of Kendyl Smith-Trimm, a young girl who bravely battled cancer, has raised a staggering $66,500 in her memory for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).
-
What's open and closed in Ottawa on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The federal holiday on Sept. 30 will bring some schedule changes in Ottawa as Canada marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
-
Clean up day launches Remembrance Day preparations at Beechwood Cemetery
Remembrance Day preparations are underway at Beechwood Cemetery and hundreds of people took a first step of showing their respect.
Northern Ontario
-
Still missing: Melanie Ethier
Ontario Provincial Police remind the public that ‘a case is never closed until it is solved,’ while highlighting the force's continued investigation of the 1996 disappearance of Melanie Ethier.
-
Bloc pension demands at odds with Liberal political strategy, economic plans
The government has just weeks to decide if it will meet the $16-billion demand from the Bloc Québécois to stave off an election for a few more months, but the stipulation may be at odds with the political and fiscal plans of the Liberals.
-
'I think he needs to go serve a few more meals': Ottawa Mission CEO fires back at Ford encampment comments
The CEO of the Ottawa Mission is responding to controversial comments made this week by Premier Doug Ford about those living in homeless encampments that received swift blowback from advocates.
Barrie
-
Ontario pedestrian dies after being struck by OPP vehicle
A pedestrian has died after reportedly getting struck by an OPP cruiser in Bala early Sunday morning.
-
Alleged thief caught mid-theft
OPP officers arrested a suspect while he was in the middle of a possible theft Sunday morning in Wasaga Beach.
-
Police officer injured while arresting suspect
A Barrie police officer suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries while arresting a suspect Sunday afternoon.
Kitchener
-
Ghost Ride celebrates life of beloved Guelph advocate
People in Guelph may notice a new addition at the entrance to Franchetto Park in Guelph.
-
Crash sends Woolwich Township teen to hospital with serious injuries
A young motorcyclist has been taken to an out-of-region hospital after a single vehicle crash in Woolwich Township.
-
Group rallies to reopen Ontario Science Centre
A grassroots organization is calling on the provincial government to reopen the Ontario Science Centre after it was abruptly closed in June following the discovery of structural issues in the building.
London
-
Temperatures on the decline, here's what you can expect this week
The very first -20 degree Celsius reading of the year has been recorded in Canada’s arctic – a good reminder that summer is officially behind us.
-
Serious car and motorcycle crash closes Oxford Street for hours
A crash between a car and motorcycle closed a portion of Oxford St. in downtown London for several hours on Sunday.
-
'Loving life and looking forward'; Olympic medalist Alysha Newman ready to jump to new heights
On Saturday night at her parents’ home in Delaware, Ont. the Olympic bronze medallist in pole vault welcomed everyone who played a role in getting her to the podium in Paris.
Windsor
-
Temperatures on the decline, here's what you can expect this week
The very first -20 degree Celsius reading of the year has been recorded in Canada’s arctic – a good reminder that summer is officially behind us.
-
After losing her first love to suicide, this Windsor woman wants people to know there is life after death
Two and a half years after losing her best friend and first love to suicide, Brooke Ford shared her story of grief and resilience at the CMHA Windsor-Essex Suicide Awareness Walk.
-
UWindsor launches new Black Scholar's Institute
The BSI aims to elevate Black academic excellence, promoting scholarship, mentorship, and cultural knowledge.
