'Pretty remarkable': Alberta distillery beats out Ireland, Scotland at international whisky competition
A distillery in Parkland County is being internationally recognized for outstanding whisky production – and one bottle in particular is getting all the attention.
"This is not Whisky", by the Anohka Distillery, was recently crowned the Best New Make and Spirit at the World Whiskies Awards in London, England.
“I didn’t expect to win," said Anohka owner and distiller Gurpreet Ranu. "I knew that what we made was really good, but I didn’t expect to win.
"I looked at the competition, and these are folks that have decades of experience.”
Anohka Distillery has only been open for two years, and took first prize over distilleries based in Scotland, Ireland and Japan.
“It’s a pretty fantastic acknowledgement and just proof that we can make amazing whisky here in Canada," Ranu said.
Reviews inside the tasting room at home have been positive as well.
"Wow," said Daniel Chung, one of many customers sampling the spirit at the distillery Sunday.
"It smells really good, and it tastes really creamy, also it’s really fruity," Chung said. "It’s not that spicy, it’s really sharp, so that’s my favourite."
Ranu said This is not Whisky is not aged at all, something unique when it comes to whisky.
“To win with a spirit that hasn’t been aged is pretty remarkable I think," Ranu. "It’s a heavily peated spirit so very smokey, hints of leather, tar and bacon – all sorts of really interesting things.”
Ranu says orders have picked up significantly since the Anohka team returned with its first international award.
For more information on the whisky visit the Anohka Distillery website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.