NOW THAT’S THE SPIRIT!
Kris Sustrik, distiller and co-owner of Hansen Distillery, holds a bottle of his whisky Monday after kicking off the one-year countdown to the release of the company’s Northern Eyes Whisky. Northern Eyes will be the first single-barrel, authentic Canadian whisky to come from an Edmonton craft producer.
A clock with red numbers sits in front of a dozen oak barrels counting down with 364 days to go. But unlike in most action movies, it won’t signal destruction when the clock reaches zero a year from now.
Instead, it will highlight the end of the three-year aging process for the first barrel of Northern Eyes Whisky, the first Canadian whisky produced in Edmonton.
Local craft producer Hansen Distillery in the city’s west end, 17412 111 Ave., has been working toward producing the spirit since the family-operated business opened in December 2016.
To be considered a Canadian whisky, the rye spirit must be barrel-aged for a minimum of three years, said Kris Sustrik, co-owner and distiller of Hansen.
“This is huge for Hansen. This is huge for Edmonton to be put on the map as being a town that makes whisky, finally,” he said.
But during the waiting game, the distillery decided to host a preview tasting Monday afternoon — exactly a year before the first barrel will be ready to hit the market.
The first barrel of Northern Eyes Whisky, expected to be about 250 bottles, will be sold exclusively in Edmonton to show thanks for the support the distillery has received since opening, Sustrik announced.
The craft distillery specializes in producing moonshine — running in the Hansen family for generations — and several other spirits including gin and vodka. The morning glory chocolate hazelnut cream liqueur recently was awarded best in class from the Artisan Distillers of Canada and its gin has been exported to Japan since April in partnership with the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation.
Even with the three-year waiting period, and plans for five- and 10year aging barrels down the line, Sustrik said it will all be worth it and the key throughout is constant communication.
“Great grains, time and love in a barrel. That’s what you need,” he said. “You have to talk to your barrels all the time. I talk to them every day to make sure that they’re being loved.”
Sustrik tapped the first barrel Monday to share a sample of the highly-anticipated spirit with friends and special guests.
“The spiciness of the rye, a little bit of sweetness behind it and caramel. That’s what I’m going for,” Sustrik said after indulging in a shot of the whisky.
The samplers agreed unanimously, with some instantly asking to put an entire barrel on hold for purchase.
Hansen Distillery’s first barrel of Northern Eyes Whisky is set to be released Feb. 11, 2020.