What is the secret to the finest spirits? It’s a blend of a rich farming history, hard work, traditional distillation methods, and attention to detail. These elements make Alberta unique. This, combined with unique local ingredients, is what makes Burwood Distillery so special. Calgary Name tells you more.
The History of Burwood Distillery
In 2012, Jordan Ramey purchased a house. Around that time, he met realtor Ivan Cilic, and later, Ivan’s brother, Marko. Jordan Ramey was helping manage the Olds College Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program.
The men became friends and discovered a common passion: a love for craft beer and artisanal spirits. That sparked the idea to start their own venture—a craft distillery to produce exquisite spirits that were lacking in the local market at the time. This led to the creation of Burwood in 2016, located in Calgary at 566 Flanders Ave SW Suite 100.
Since its founding, they have released five unique products. Examples include honey Eau de Vie, a cracked green walnut liqueur, and a seasonal cherry liqueur.
They barrel-age their whiskey, honey-rye-aged liqueur, and gin. The owners use local Albertan ingredients for their products, such as barley from Alix and honey sourced from a local beekeeper—Ivan and Marko’s father—who operates near Chestermere and from the Graydanus Honey Farm in High River.
A Home with History
As mentioned, the building was purchased by one of Burwood Distillery’s owners in 2012. The structure had undergone many changes before becoming the home of these refined local spirits.
The building at The Stables on the Currie Barracks was originally constructed in 1936. This single-storey structure was one of the first buildings on the Currie Barracks and served as a home for “B” Squadron of Lord Strathcona’s Horse Regiment.
The building’s “K” shape construction was unique, and it could accommodate up to one hundred horses. It featured high ceilings, ample light, and excellent ventilation.
Later, Burwood Distillery and Vaycay Brew Co. moved into this historic building, transforming it into a functional craft beverage production facility.
The Distillery’s Setting
The location for the craft of spirit-making matters. One of the founders, Marko, designed and built the Burwood cocktail bar from scratch. He successfully styled the venue after traditional Eastern European and Scottish distilleries. They filled the space with interesting items, including some furniture used in the local filming of the Netflix show “Fargo.”
The establishment’s menu was inspired by the same motifs. Visitors can enjoy dishes like grilled sausages. The venue prides itself on pioneering flavours created with local Albertan products, such as barley and honey, essential elements in their spirit production.
Tasting Experiences
Calgary residents and visitors can enjoy guided tours of the Burwood Distillery and Vaycay Brew Co. brewery. Guests learn the history of the building, and the experience culminates with a guided tasting of spirits or beer (the guest’s choice).
Burwood Distillery ensured the presence of a tasting room with a casual yet modern atmosphere. This helps visitors relax and enjoy the distillery’s exquisite spirits.
To book a tasting, visit the website of Veranda, the shared Taproom and Spirit Hall by Vaycay Brew Co and Burwood Distillery. Classes for individual distillery product tastings are also available.
Distillery Classes
Crafting high-quality spirits is a true art that requires both knowledge and dedication. While the latter part is up to you, Burwood Distillery can help with the former. At the distillery, you can master various classes: distillation courses, whisky courses, mixology sessions, and more. Each opportunity is unique, allowing visitors to expand their knowledge and perspectives.
- Barrel Blending Courses. These classes are perfect for whisky enthusiasts. A pleasant surprise awaits: a tasting of rare and limited-edition whiskies from Burwood Distillery. During the session, experts teach the basics of blending, allowing visitors to create their own “Private Stock” bottle, which students take home.
- Gin Making and Distillation Class. Visitors can learn more about the distillation process and even do it themselves. The classroom is equipped with operational distillers where you can learn to make gin. Guests at Burwood Distillery can choose from over 60 botanicals to create a bottle of their very own gin from scratch.
An example of a distillery drink is the Double Smoked Penicillin Cocktail, made with Burwood Medica. It consists of smoky Scotch whisky, Burwood Medica, Domaine De Canton ginger liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup. All ingredients are mixed in a mixing glass filled with ice, then strained. Ice is added to the serving glass, and the drink is poured.
Calgary and the Uniqueness of Burwood Distillery
The founders periodically give interviews to local publications. In one such interview, they were asked what makes their distillery special. Ivan explained that Burwood Distillery is not just a producer of craft spirits. In his view, it’s a way to change the landscape of spirit and beverage production in Western Canada. The founders are committed to sharing production knowledge using local ingredients. This, in turn, will only increase the quality level of local craft products.
There is a strong connection with the community at the distillery. On behalf of Burwood Distillery, the founders work with the community, making donations to charitable organizations. During holidays, the venue hosts parties, such as an epic Christmas gathering for everyone. Another example is the spirit-making festival—a way to unite and celebrate a successful harvest. The local community plays a vital role in the business’s success.
Locals rejoiced at the opening of Burwood Distillery in 2016 and often ask why the founders chose Calgary. The founders succeeded in combining the distillery with a shared restaurant and a partner craft brewery. This created a venue for tastings, vibrant events, and education. These are special opportunities for local residents, many interested individuals have already taken advantage of.
The Future of Burwood Distillery
It’s worth noting that the pandemic negatively impacted local businesses. In the opinion of the Burwood Distillery founders, the Calgary community showed its best side, demonstrating resilience, great ingenuity, and innovation.
The owners are convinced that the distillery has a future. They are already planning an expansion that will include new locations, on-site consumption tours, event rentals, and educational programs.
