The Local’s Guide to Burwood Distillery
Head to the historic stables for a taste of old-world tradition met with wild Alberta honey.
If you are looking for me on a Saturday afternoon, check the Currie neighborhood. Specifically, look for an old brick building known as The Stables. This is the home of Burwood Distillery, and it is where the Cilic brothers are rewriting the rules of Canadian spirits. They took their Croatian family traditions and smashed them together with high-quality Alberta grain and honey from their own family hives. The result is something you won't find anywhere else in the world.
The Story Under the Roof
The history here is literally built into the walls. The distillery is located in what used to be the horse stables for the Currie Barracks. It sat empty for years until the Burwood team transformed it into a masterpiece of copper and brick. Co-founder Ivan Cilic and his team didn't just want to make "standard" spirits; they wanted to honor the week-long distilling festivals from their home village in Croatia.
The secret ingredient here is honey. One of the brothers runs a massive bee farm in Chestermere, providing an endless supply of local honey that finds its way into almost everything they make. This isn't that syrupy-sweet stuff you find in grocery stores; it is raw, floral, and complex. It serves as the backbone for their fermentation and gives their whiskies a mouthfeel that is incredibly silk-like.
The Whisky Lineup
Burwood is a regular at the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition and the SIP Awards, consistently bringing home Double Gold and Platinum honors. Just this year in 2025, their "Smooth Talker" took Best in Class. Here is the local hit list:
The Bee Whisperer Prairie Whisky
This is their signature. It is a blend of grains and honey that results in a light, floral, and slightly spicy spirit. It is the perfect "entryway" whisky for people who think they don't like whisky.
The Scientist Single Malt
An award-winning powerhouse. It is distilled from 100% Alberta barley and aged to perfection. It has these deep, nutty notes and a finish that lingers forever. It’s a trophy winner for a reason.
The Smooth Talker "Bur-bon" Style
Winner of the 2025 Double Gold, this is their take on a corn-heavy bourbon style. It is sweet, oaky, and exactly what you want on a cold Calgary night.
Beyond the Bottle
The space itself, called Veranda at the Stables, is a shared experience with Vaycay Brewing. You can literally sit in the middle of a working distillery and brewery at the same time. The tasting room is massive, airy, and manages to feel cozy despite the industrial equipment surrounding you.
If you aren't in a whisky mood, you have to try their Medica. It is a traditional honey liqueur based on a centuries-old European recipe. It is dangerously smooth and tastes like liquid gold. They also do a Honey Spiced Rhum (spelled with an 'h' because it's honey-based, not molasses) that will ruin all other rums for you forever.
🕵️ The Insider Secret
Most people just come for a drink, but the real pros book the Cask Blending Class. They take you into "The Classroom" where you get to sample rare, unreleased whiskies straight from the barrel. You actually learn how to blend different profiles to create a unique flavor. Also, ask about their Whisky Investment Club—they have over 100 locals who actually own their own barrels aging in the back right now.
Other Things to Try
- The Food: The kitchen at Veranda is top-tier. Get the Pork Belly Skewers with the honey-chili glaze or the Whipped Feta made with local goat cheese and Burwood honey.
- The Cocktails: Their Espresso Martini uses fresh coffee from Phil & Sebastian and it is widely considered the best in the city.
- The Neighborhood: After your tasting, take a walk through Valour Park. It is a beautiful commemorative park just a few steps away that honors Canada’s military history.