Diamond Valley's Eau Claire Distillery winning awards for its rye whisky
Eau Claire Distillery came up with a blended rye whisky a year ago and it's receiving global attention after winning a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
David Farran, founder and president of the distillery, is proud of his team for producing the Stampede Canadian Rye Whisky.
"San Francisco is like the Olympics," he said.
"If you win at San Francisco, it really is street cred. It tells everybody that this is a serious distillery, so we were delighted when we got that and we really only enter in the competitions that we know actually carry some weight."
Farran and his staff have produced a number of award-winning whiskies over the past decade.
"It's kind of slowly putting us in the stratosphere of whiskies," he said.
"Because we're beating out all of the major whisky brands in the world and I think that's what gives us some pride."
For this product, Farran has teamed up with the Calgary Stampede to make the spirit the official rye whisky of the event.
"It's only been on the market for a year and judging by its popularity, I think for us, it's proof positive that we're doing something right," Farran said.
"Because we did another one that is getting awards and is popular in the marketplace."
Will Osler, president and chair of the board for the Calgary Stampede, says the local "farm to glass" idea fits well with the 10-day show.
"We're very happy that they created a rye whisky that really celebrates the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede," Osler said.
"It just feels right. So much of what we're trying to do year-round at the Calgary Stampede is to celebrate agri-food and agriculture. Rye whisky is part of that and it just really fits. It is a matter of pride for all of us at the Stampede and we're really happy to see them succeeding in a tough industry."
Darryl Corbett, spirits expert at Willow Park Wines and Spirits, has tasted thousands of whiskies from all over the world and has no problem recommending Alberta-made products.
"The San Francisco Wine and Spirits awards are the prestigious awards in my eyes," he said.
He notes there are more than 30 craft distilleries in Alberta today, saying these are the golden years of spirit production in the province.
"People from out of town want to get something that's made locally. Alberta Premium is a world-class distillery and they're in our own backyard in Ogden," he said.
"A lot of people, when they're visiting Europe, they want to bring something with them for their hosts from our humble province and I'm very proud to recommend any of these whiskies for them."
When Eau Claire Distillery started in 2013, it was the first craft distillery in the province and Farran says it's come a long way.
"It is an exercise in patience when you make whisky," he said.
"You're in it for the long haul, so when we're talking about our anniversary of 10 years, we're kind of just getting started because what are those 20-year whiskies going to look like."
You can learn more about the Stampede Canadian Rye Whisky at eauclairedistillery.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.