Confluence Distilling

Reviewed on August 21, 2020

Confluence is a "grain to glass" gin distillery, owned by Ross Alger and Pheelan Mah. At Confluence, they ferment and distill everything in-house. All of their spirits are made with Alberta red wheat grown on a farm outside of Innisfail. They make a Contemporary style gin rather than a London Dry style that is juniper dominant. Juniper can be a little difficult to find in Alberta so, in a contemporary style, other botanicals (saskatoon berries, cucumber and rose petals) take center stage and juniper plays a minor role.

Confluence makes a range of products from gin, vodka, a pre-mixed negroni cocktail, canned gin sodas and even an aquavit! I am crazy for a good negroni. It can take a bit of planning since you need to have all the ingredients on hand - gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Whereas with the Confluence Negroni all you need is a couple of ice cubes and a highball glass! It is a cocktail that is meant to be sipped slowly with its grapefruit, cherry, orange notes and its signature kick of bitterness imparted from the Campari.

Photo - Confluence Distilling - Founder, Ross Alger, standing in front of a portrait of his grandfather, Ross Alger Sr., who was the mayor of Calgary from 1977- 1980.