Highwood Distillers traces its roots back to 1974, when it was first established as Sunnyvale Distillery in High River, Alberta — a small town nestled in the foothills near Calgary. In 1984, the distillery underwent a transformation and was renamed Highwood, a fitting tribute to the famous Highwood River and the scenic region that surrounds it. In November 2005, Highwood further expanded its footprint by acquiring Potter's Distilleries, originally founded by Ernie Potter in 1958, strengthening its position as one of Canada's most prominent whisky producers. Highwood specializes in small batch Canadian whisky, with a production process that emphasizes careful grain selection and meticulous aging in charred oak barrels. The distillery's portfolio reflects a commitment to quality and craftsmanship, offering expressions that highlight the smooth, approachable character typical of Canadian rye whisky. Notable releases include aged expressions such as the Ninety 20 Year Old Canadian Rye Whisky, which has earned praise among enthusiasts for its depth and complexity. Highwood has built a strong reputation on the competitive Canadian whisky scene, most recently taking top honors at the 2024 Canadian Whisky Awards, including the Award of Excellence in Sustainability. The distillery was also recognized as the most recent gold winner at the Canadian Whisky Awards prior to that, cementing its status as a benchmark producer in Canadian whisky.