Alberta craft distillery secures Best Canadian London Dry Gin title and places among the world’s top five young spirits
Alberta-based Anohka Distillery has strengthened its position on the international spirits stage after receiving major honours at two of the industry’s most respected global competitions.
The family-owned craft distillery announced that its Tempest Dry Gin was named Best Canadian London Dry Gin at the 2026 World Gin Awards, while its This Is Not Whisky Alberta Single Malt Spirit was recognized as a Global Finalist among the top five New Make and Young Spirits in the world at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards.
The achievements mark another milestone for the Alberta producer, which has steadily built an international reputation through its focus on locally sourced ingredients, traditional distillation methods and product innovation.
Fourth Consecutive Canadian Title for Tempest Gin
The latest award represents the fourth year Anohka Distillery has earned a Best Canadian designation for one of its gin expressions. Tempest Dry Gin has become one of the distillery’s flagship products and has developed a strong following both domestically and internationally.
According to the company, Tempest is currently the best-selling local gin in Alberta and has also gained significant popularity in Japan, helping expand the distillery’s global reach.
The gin is crafted using carefully selected botanicals and produced in direct-fired copper stills, a method that Anohka believes contributes to its distinctive character. The distillery describes Tempest as a bold London Dry Gin designed to deliver a balanced yet robust flavour profile.
The recognition from the World Gin Awards further reinforces the product’s standing in a highly competitive international market.
Whisky Recognition Marks New Achievement
While Anohka has previously earned international recognition for its peated spirits, this year’s whisky honour represents a significant achievement for the distillery’s unpeated single malt program.
This Is Not Whisky, an Alberta Single Malt New Make Spirit made using 100 per cent Alberta malted barley sourced from Rahr in Alix, Alberta, secured a place among the world’s top five New Make and Young Spirits.
Founder and Head Distiller Gurpreet Ranu said the recognition reflects years of effort dedicated to refining the distillery’s unpeated spirit.
“We are incredibly excited to have our unpeated whisky new make be recognized on the global stage. We had won World’s best with our peated new make but we have been working hard to also perfect our unpeated spirit.” says Gurpreet Ranu, Founder & Head Distiller at Anohka Distillery. “These awards reflect our dedication to continual improvement while pushing boundaries, challenging convention, and constantly striving to improve.”
Judges at the World Whiskies Awards praised the spirit’s complexity and balance, noting it was “Perfectly cut, balanced, flavourful, and elegant with a wide range of flavours from sweet, citrus, lemon, and herbal tones, with a white pepper spice. Summer fruit, bright (and) beautiful plums.”
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
Anohka Distillery attributes its success to a production philosophy that blends traditional craftsmanship with experimentation and innovation.
The company’s direct-fired distillation process remains central to both its gin and whisky production, while its emphasis on Alberta-grown barley supports local agriculture and strengthens regional supply chains.
The distillery says its approach is rooted in curiosity and a willingness to challenge conventional expectations within the spirits industry.
For Tempest Dry Gin, that philosophy translates into a product designed to deliver bold flavours and memorable sensory experiences. Similarly, the award-winning Alberta Single Malt Spirit reflects a focus on showcasing the character and quality of locally sourced ingredients.
Global Validation for a Local Distillery
For Anohka, the international awards represent more than individual product achievements. The recognition serves as validation that a small Alberta distillery can successfully compete with some of the world’s most established spirits producers.
The company said the awards affirm key decisions made throughout its production process, from sourcing local barley and selecting botanicals to maintaining its direct-fired distillation methods.
Looking ahead, Anohka plans to continue building on its recent success. Tempest Dry Gin is available through retailers across Alberta and Japan, as well as through the distillery’s tasting room and online store. This Is Not Whisky is released in limited batches and is currently available through the same channels.
The distillery is also inviting members of the trade, media representatives and consumers to visit its facility for tastings and behind-the-scenes tours.
Founded as a family-owned operation, Anohka Distillery has built its brand around craftsmanship, curiosity and attention to detail. With multiple international accolades now to its name, the Alberta producer continues to demonstrate that local innovation can compete successfully on the global stage.