Alberta Distillers Ltd. (Alberta Distillers) is proud to announce the launch of Reifel Rye, a high rye whisky innovation steeped in history with a flavour profile that pays homage to the best ingredients Canada has to offer. Hitting shelves across the country this fall, Reifel Rye is poised to disrupt the growing Canadian whisky category with its local grain complexity, deep character, and unexpected depth.
Bearing the legendary name of George H. Reifel, Alberta Distillers’ Distilling Pioneer who laid the foundations of the distillery more than 75 years ago, Reifel Rye has been meticulously crafted to meet and exceed the exacting standards that George was widely known for, including the use of local ingredients, the curation of extraordinary flavour and a relentless adventurous spirit – all characteristics that define the distillery to this day.
An explorer by nature, George had a genuine love for the distillery, and the world beyond, often surveying Western Canada’s lakes, mountains, valleys, and wildlife. It is this curiosity and respect for Canada’s natural abundance that live at the heart of Reifel Rye, a spirit that is crafted from Canadian prairie rye, 100% pot distilled and aged in new charred white oak and ex-bourbon barrels with more than 90% rye grain, imbuing the liquid with rye’s signature complexity and spice. Widely considered an underdog grain, rye is notoriously challenging to distill, however with Alberta Distillers’ world renown rye expertise, the hard work pays off with this wonderfully unique whisky that boasts mouth-watering notes of toffee, banana bread, chocolate, poached pear, and crème brûlée, rightfully earning the moniker: Feast of a Whisky.
A high-rye whisky means that there is more rye in the mash bill compared to a standard rye whisky. Although there is no formal definition of high-rye at ADL, ADL considers a true high-rye whisky a whisky that has more than 80% rye in the mash bill. The already award-winning spirit has received international accolades including Gold at the SIP Awards 2022 and Gold at the International Spirits Challenge 2022.
Tasting Notes
- Colour: Amber gold
- Aroma: Banana bread, notes of burnt sugar, caramel, and pudding
- Taste: Notes of toffee, vanilla, and crème brûlée, balanced with warm pear and dark chocolate
- Finish: Warm and lingering
Cocktail Recipes
Reifel On The Rockies
- 2 oz. Reifel Rye
- Ice
Pour into rocks glass over ice.
The Reifel Sour
- 1 part Reifel Rye
- 0.5 parts Simple Syrup
- 1 part Orange Juice
- 0.5 parts Lemon Juice
- 0.5 parts Red Wine
- Orange twist garnish
Shake all but red wine with ice for 15 seconds. Fine strain into a chilled rocks glass. Layer red wine on top and garnish with orange twist.
To learn more about Reifel Rye, visit ReifelRye.com and follow along on Facebook and Instagram. To explore the world of rye whisky, win prizes, and test your ‘Rye-Q,’ visit RyeWhiskyAcademy.com.