Anohka Distillery, a farm-to-flask craft distillery in Parkland County, just west of Edmonton, has won Gold at the 2026 World Gin Awards for its Tempest Dry Gin, building on a year in which the distillery also took top honours at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards.
Tempest Dry Gin earned Gold in the London Dry Gin category and was named Canada’s Country Winner, the award given to the top-scoring entry from each competing nation. Judges praised the gin for its “green juniper” character and a “complex but subtle finish.” Anohka’s Timeless Dry Gin also picked up a Bronze medal in this year’s competition. The World Gin Awards, part of the global World Drinks Awards network, judges entries from gin producers worldwide.
At the 2026 World Whiskies Awards, also part of the World Drinks Awards network, Anohka’s “This Is Not Whisky” Alberta Single Malt New Make Spirit earned Gold, was named Category Winner, and was named Best Canadian New Make & Young Spirit for the fourth consecutive year. The same release went on to Global Finalist status, placing it among the top five new-make whiskies in the world.
The results extend a multi-year run for the young distillery. Anohka has placed at the World Gin Awards every year since first entering in 2022, and “This Is Not Whisky” has now been named Canada’s top new-make spirit for four consecutive years. In 2024, that whisky claimed the outright global title of World’s Best New Make & Young Spirit, beating entries from Scotland, Ireland, Japan and every other whisky-producing country, just three years after the distillery opened.
“Our food and beverage scene continues to put Edmonton on a global stage, and Anohka’s wins are the latest proof,” said Traci Bednard, President and CEO at Explore Edmonton. “Visitors are increasingly choosing destinations for authentic, local experiences, and Anohka offers exactly that.”
Anohka Distillery was opened in December 2021 by Gurpreet Ranu, a physicist-turned-lawyer who left a career in law to found Anohka. He holds a Master of Science in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. The distillery’s name comes from a Sanskrit word meaning uncommon, extraordinary, wonderful or rare.
Visitors can experience the award-winning spirits firsthand with guided tours and tastings at the distillery, alongside a full food and cocktail menu that includes guest-favourite whisky fermented pizza.
For more information about things to do and places to eat and drink in Edmonton, visit ExploreEdmonton.com.
