Alberta Premium
Calgary's distillery has run since 1946. Alberta Premium is their 100% rye, aged at least five years and bottled at 40% alcohol.
Grain comes from farms in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The mash uses unmalted prairie rye, plus glacial water from the Rockies. Copyright names Alberta Distillers Ltd. of Calgary, and Suntory Global Spirits shares that line.
Golden amber in the glass. Banana, toffee and a light spice show up, then a hint of hot cinnamon. Double distillation happens before the wood.
Product Highlights
- •New white oak, ex-bourbon and ex-Canadian casks
- •International Spirits Challenge gold in 2024
- •Canadian Whisky Awards gold in 2025
- •23 warehouses hold up to 500,000 barrels
- •Warehouses sit above 3,000 feet
- •400 to 600 barrels move through the hall each day
- •Bottle sizes run from 200 ml to 1.75 L
Category
Our Canadian score
Strong Canadian ties
Company’s own label claim: “Alberta Premium holds the spot for the world's no.1 selling 100% rye whisky.”
Alberta Premium is distilled in Calgary. The grain is prairie rye from three provinces, and the copyright line names both Alberta Distillers and Suntory Global Spirits.
Score breakdown (85% evidenced, high confidence)
“We source our grains from local prairie grains from farmers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.”
“©2025 Alberta Distillers, LTD. Calgary, Canada. ©2025 Suntory Global Spirits All rights reserved.”
This score is our own read of publicly available evidence, not a regulatory finding. It is not a CFIA or Competition Bureau origin determination, and it is not the same as the "Product of Canada" or "Made in Canada" claims a manufacturer prints on a label. Check the package if you need the official claim. How we score
Key Facts
- Made In
- Calgary, Alberta
- Owned By
- Alberta Distillers Ltd.
- Parent
- Suntory Global Spirits
- Size
- 750 ml
- Alcohol
- 40%
- Age
- Minimum 5 years
Where to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alberta Premium made in Canada?
Yes. Alberta Premium is distilled in Calgary. Frank McMahon, Max Bell and George Reifel opened Alberta Distillers in 1946, and the site calls it the first distillery in Western Canada.
What wood is Alberta Premium aged in?
Three kinds. Alberta Premium uses new white oak, ex-bourbon barrels and ex-Canadian barrels, and the age floor on the page is five years.
Which medals has Alberta Premium won?
Gold in 2024 and 2025. Alberta Premium took International Spirits Challenge gold, Sip Awards gold, a Sip Consumer Choice gold, and Canadian Whisky Awards gold.
What cocktail uses a measured pour of Alberta Premium?
A mule. Alberta Premium's Rocky Mountain Mule calls for 1 oz (30 ml) of the whisky. The same page also lists Stampede Tea and Western Derby.
Is the parent company named on the Alberta Premium site?
Yes. Alberta Premium's footer pairs the Calgary distiller with Suntory Global Spirits. The spirits about page does not give a head-office city.
How many times is Alberta Premium distilled?
Twice. Alberta Premium's whisky is double distilled, while the distillery says its vodka is at least triple distilled. New spirit then goes to the barrel hall.
