Highwood Distillers’ Ninety 20-year-old Whisky and Foothills Gluten-Free Vodka have received accolades as ‘Judges Selection’ winners at the 2023 Alberta Beverage Awards. Additionally, we are thrilled to announce our recent triumphs at the January 2023 Canadian Whisky Awards. Our Ninety 20-Year-Old has been honored as the ‘All-Corn Whisky of the Year,’ while both our Sweet Sippin’ Maple Whisky and Ninety 20-Year-Old have received Gold Awards. Our Centennial 10-Year-Old Canadian Rye and Highwood Canadian Rye Whisky proudly brought home Bronze Awards.
The ABA awards, launched in 2013, seek to recognize outstanding wines, beers, and spirits available in the Alberta beverage market. The judging panel comprises expert buyers, sommeliers, retailers, educators, and media influencers from Alberta. Entries are evaluated blind, compared against similar products, and winners are chosen in both ‘Best in Class’ and ‘Judges Selection’ categories, with coverage in Culinaire Magazine’s October issue.
One notable addition this year is the inclusion of scores for each product, allowing consumers to gauge the quality of each entry. With only a third of all submissions earning an award, this recognition is a significant achievement.
At Highwood Distillers, our dedication to our craft is unwavering. We take a meticulous approach to crafting our spirits, employing a small-batch distillation process that enables our artisans to achieve perfection. Our commitment to maintaining consistent flavor and quality across every batch is reflected in this recognition.
OUR AWARD-WINNING PROCESS
Highwood Distillers’ Ninety 20-year-old whisky, one of Canada’s oldest whiskies, continues to receive acclaim. After distillation, the liquid is aged in charred oak bourbon barrels for a minimum of 20 years. Following this extended maturation period, we carefully blend the golden whisky and age it for an additional six months. The result is a whisky with a smooth, luxurious depth of flavor enriched with oak and spice notes. This year’s award, with a score of ’92,’ at the Alberta Beverage Awards and the prestigious ‘All-Corn Whisky of the Year’ title at the Canadian Whisky Awards, highlight the significance of our meticulous process and the time and care we invest in perfecting it.
Our Foothills Gluten-Free Vodka also earned a ‘Judges Selection’ award at the Alberta Beverage Awards, boasting a top score of ’90.’ Utilizing a rare 10-times distillation process, we proudly produce this vodka from select Alberta corn, making it appealing to even the most discerning consumers. After distillation, our wheat-free and gluten-free vodka undergoes meticulous blending and finishing, resulting in a smooth and pristine taste.
A TRUE TASTE OF ALBERTA
Creating exceptional spirits requires involvement at every step of the process. Our commitment to producing award-winning whisky is no exception. From fermentation to the column and pit stills, our team works diligently to ensure that each spirit reflects the unique landscape at the base of the Canadian Rockies. Our spirits benefit from the pure waters sourced from the mountains and the locally grown Alberta prairie grain. This connection to our heritage is something we are immensely proud of and sets our products apart.
Crafting perfection takes time, and our dedication has resulted in some of the best-tasting spirits available. We stand tall in our Alberta roots, drawing from decades of experience, and take pride in the local character and deep connection to the land that infuses every bottle.
For a closer look at our award-winning products and to explore our portfolio, including Ninety 20-Year-Old Whisky, vodka, rum, gin, and liqueurs, please visit our spirits page.