A legacy of excellence, crafted in the heart of the Rockies

Our history

Originating as ‘Sunnyvale’ in 1974 and now part of the Caldera family, our High River distillery marries tradition and innovation. Our spirits are crafted through a careful distillation process that combines time-honoured traditions with innovative techniques to bring you the finest flavours.

Quality

Our spirits begin with exceptional grains

At Highwood Distillery, we start with the best grains sourced from Twin Valley Farms, a family-run operation we’ve partnered with for over 15 years. We harness the natural aquifer water and never mill our grains, ensuring each spirit we craft reflects the essence of our unique landscape and the dedication to our family-to-family connection

From grain to gold

The art of fermentation

At Highwood Distillery, our journey from grains to exceptional spirits centres on the art of fermentation. We start by releasing the hidden starch within the grains when the kernel bursts open, setting the stage for transformation. Enzymes and yeast are introduced, kickstarting the conversion of starch into alcohol. Our fermentation process, spanning a patient 90-hour period, embodies a delicate and artistic balance, guided by nature rather than strict scientific formulas.

Crafting spirits with artistry

We’ve honed our craft since 1974, and we believe that small things make a big difference. That’s why we carefully oversee every step of our distillation process, combining tradition with innovation. Our hands-on approach means we have precise control over every drop. Beginning with our beer still and refining it through our pot, we carefully make the right cuts at just the right moments. We rely on the senses of touch, feel, and taste, embracing an intimate and authentic artisanal approach instead of relying on computer-driven models.

Flavour perfected over time

We transfer our liquid to oak casks for maturation, a crucial step that lasts for a minimum of three years. Our commitment to quality extends to the cask’s choice and storage duration, because we know that higher quality casks and longer storage times yield richer, more complex flavours. Our climate-controlled environment speeds up the aging of our whisky, which helps extract more flavours from the oak barrels’ tannins. This results in a whisky that beautifully combines tradition and the local environment.