Tucked in the heart of Banff, Alberta is Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar, and while its ambiance and location are quintessentially Canadian, the distillery is receiving international attention. Really, it’s no surprise why. Its selection of hand-crafted, small-batch gin, vodka and rye are top-notch in terms of flavour profile and drinkability, but the secret to its success might be in the water.
Park Distillery uses glacier water from six surrounding glaciers on the Rocky Mountains to distill its products. Minerals are added naturally to the water over time as it travels from high up on the mountains, down over the limestone, adding a unique flavour that’s special to the region.
Not only is the water collected from Canadian resources, but the grain used in the distilling process is sourced from Alberta, too.
Park Distillery makes a selection of alcohol types and flavours including Park Classic Vodka, Park Alpine Dry Gin, Park Vanilla Vodka, Park Espresso Vodka, Park Glacier Rye, Park Barrel-Aged Gin and a Park Maple Rye that uses maple syrup from Quebec.
Visitors can order a la cart to taste the sips that are of interest to them or order a flight, which offers a sampling of four different products.
“Our spirits are like no other in the world, because there is no other place in the world like Banff,” the company explains on its website. It’s hard to argue with that. Banff is one of the most famous destinations in the country for its natural beauty.
Park Distillery has been awarded various accolades for its products, including Gold (yes, first place) at the international Sip Awards in 2017; Bronze at the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition in 2018; and a nod for its espresso vodka at the Alberta Beverage Awards in 2017.
If you want to have an even more hands on experience when you visit and take your distilling knowledge next level, do a guided tour of the facility. It’s free! They happen daily at 3:30pm, but be warned: they’re popular, so if you’re keen to do it, make sure you reserve a spot. The only thing worse than an empty glass is a fully-booked tour.