In just a few short years, Anohka Distillery has gone from an ambitious idea to a global award-winner, reshaping how consumers view Canadian whisky. Founded in December 2021 by Gurpreet Ranu—a former lawyer who decided to pursue distilling—Anohka began with little more than determination, a small backyard setup, and Alberta barley that Ranu believed deserved better than ending up as cattle feed. The leap was risky, especially walking away from a stable career, but it was guided by both passion and vision.
The early days were far from glamorous. Ranu struggled to craft whisky that met his standards, so he doubled down, enrolling in a master’s program at Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University to master the science of distilling. That rigorous training paid off. Today, Anohka’s whiskies have not only found their stride, but have been named the “world’s best” at both the International Wine and Spirits Competition and the World Whiskies Awards—in addition to numerous other accolades—an almost unheard-of achievement for such a young distillery.
Anohka’s rise has been fueled not only by Ranu’s technical skill but by the contributions of his wife Michelle, a labour and delivery nurse with an exceptional palate. Michelle helps Ranu behind the scenes, and her discerning taste has become the final seal of approval on every bottle that leaves the distillery.
While their acclaim now stretches worldwide, Anohka remains grounded in community. The distillery actively supports local events and organizations, from the Valley Zoo’s ‘Zoo Brew’ to Edmonton Food Bank fundraisers and events at Telus World of Science. For Ranu, it’s a way of giving back to the community that embraced his leap of faith.
With their first official (aged three years) whisky release slated for this fall and more bold experiments on the horizon, Anohka is proving that world-class spirits can—and should—be proudly distilled right here in Alberta.
