Eau Claire Distillery Tour
By: Tim Wong
Saturday, November 4th we were invited for a tour of Eau Claire Distillery to sample some of their fine spirits alongside two exclusive tonic waters that they brew for mixing with their gin! Invited into their speakeasy location, the white exterior is adorned with recurring animal caricatures including a moose and two foxes dressed in vintage finery.
The entrance to the room itself is through a wall, opening up into a 1920’s room decorated with rustic lamps, oaken boards and industrial lighting fixtures. We’re brought to a red curtain, a setting piece and stage for us to experience a flight of assorted spirits— Three Point Vodka, Prickly Pear Equineox, Parlour Gin & Cherry Gin alongside a signature cocktail and their premium craft tonic waters in Original & Elderflower. We’re encouraged to sip our cocktails while we observe a black and white film presentation on the history of Eau Claire Distillery.
Located at 4000 feet above sea level, in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, Eau Claire Distillery is a high-altitude production facility, creating an unusual whisky maturation that is accelerated by the dry air and wide temperature fluctuations by season. Considered the heart of Alberta’s liquor history, in a series of 1920’s buildings that previously housed speakeasies, a brothel, a theatre and an old-time bowling alley. Eau Claire Distillery is flanked by aptly named Whisky Ridge and the old speakeasy locations of Whisky Row and the Dew Drop Inn.
The distillery was founded by David Farran, who had the sincere belief that Alberta’s world class agricultural bounty should be the home to a strong distilling industry. Combining deep historical roots in Alberta farming and ranching, David’s hobby of farming with draft horses, and the fact the province lacked a craft distillery producing local, handcrafted spirits. It culminated into a perfect combination– thus Eau Claire was born.
As a former Vice President of Big Rock Brewery, among many other accomplishments, David connects a love for agriculture, a deep understanding of craft artisanal spirits and a conviction that Alberta should be the home of ‘best in class’ distilled products. Eau Claire Distillery is committed to traditional, small batch distilling using a hands-on process that mixes art and science. The distillery uses copper stills, custom built in Germany, enabling them to make their award-winning products using only the best ‘hearts’ from their still.
Handled by a team of Master Distillers that bring a high level of international expertise, following the centuries-old Scottish distillation experience. Each batch of spirits is carefully produced in their facility, from farm to glass and all of their products use Alberta barley, considered the best barley in the world. Eau Claire Distillery also has a unique heritage of horse farming for special edition whiskies. Since inception, they have farmed about 20 acres of barley using Percheron draft horses, antique farming equipment from the 1920’s and traditional methods of farming. It keeps them close to their farm-to-glass heritage and preserves farming methods in place before the age of modern farming machinery.
Following the end of the presentation (and nearly the end of our introductory cocktails), our lovely host encouraged us to sample the interesting flavours and aromas of their flight of spirits. Furthest to the left was the Three Point Vodka which was more robust than the usual potato based liquor, with a strong almost caramelized sweetness of caramel and richness of banana. The Prickly Pear Equineox was sharp and sour, as the name seems to suggest, yet also refreshing! Our host notified us that the Prickly Pear Equineox was the only spirit in which they import ingredients from outside of Turner Valley (yet still sourced from Alberta).
As we moved onto the Parlour Gin, the first sips brought you into a deep forest, with strong notes of juniper, Albertan Saskatoon berries and rose hips. Again it felt as if you were just touching the tip of the iceberg among the 10 botanicals infused (though our host couldn’t even begin to comment since she too was unaware of what ingredients go into the distillation process)! This time we’re encouraged to try diluting the gin with their Original Craft Tonic Water, giving the overall beverage a heightened floral aroma with a satisfying bubbliness.
Some information we were given about Eau Claire Distillery’s two premium craft tonic waters is that they have 60% less sugar & calories than other leading brands, use Alberta beet sugar as a natural sweetening agent and have a lower quinine amount for a less bitter taste. They were specifically brewed to pair with their own gin, since their Master Distillers could not find a suitable tonic water to do the job.
Reaching the last spirit- the Cherry Gin, the first thing we immediately noticed was the scarlet hue, a fruity colouration that is also remarked upon by our host as being their most aesthetic gin with varying colours based on season and ripeness of picked cherries. The taste of the Cherry Gin was more subtle than you’d think, less floral but not overwhelmed by the tart of the cherries. When mixed with the Elderflower tonic water however, it is succulent, fresh and downright addictive. It was easily my favourite of the flight.
Winding down from the buzz and getting a bit more chatty with the other tour guests, our host showcases another short video of their whisky process before bringing us a special final sample. A small shot of their 6 year aged, single cask whisky- Cask No. 148 originally aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished by Master Distiller, Caitlin Quinn in a Ruby Port cask. This single malt whisky highlights flavours of chocolate, red fruit, clove and cinnamon while complementing the lingering dryness of a Port finish.
As our tour closed off with a quick Q&A, complementary Eau Claire branded shot glasses and a coupon to spend at their store and dine-in spot beside the speakeasy, needless to say we’re proud to carry Premium Craft Tonic Waters from one of Alberta’s greatest craft distilleries. You can find both Original and Elderflower flavours now available at Amaranth Foods. If you’re looking to indulge in their boozy varieties, you can find Eau Claire Distillery spirits at both Calgary Farmer’s Market locations.
Stay tuned for future collaborations we might have with Eau Claire Distillery, and other amazing local businesses!