Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, may be a city with fewer than 275,000 people, but it is known for its picturesque setting and extreme temperature swings. Situated by the South Saskatchewan River and the Meewasin Valley, Saskatoon’s name itself signifies beauty, with “Meewasin” translating to “it is beautiful” in Cree. Furthermore, located in the heart of the Canadian prairies, Saskatoon experiences harsh weather conditions, with winter lows reaching -40°F and summer highs reaching 100°F.
Black Fox Farm & Distillery has harnessed these temperature variances to create a unique whiskey-making process. Co-founder Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote describes their approach as aging whiskey “under the watchful eye of Mother Nature and Jack Frost.” By exposing their oak barrels to the elements, the whiskey undergoes a “breathing” process due to temperature and atmospheric pressure changes. This method maximizes the expansion and contraction of the oak barrels, which, in turn, affects the aging process of the whiskey.
Collaborating with the Saskatchewan Research Council, Black Fox Farm & Distillery has delved deep into studying the effects of weather on aging whiskey. The extreme temperature fluctuations recorded in their maturation yard, ranging from -44°F to 104°F, have shown significant impacts on the whiskey aging process. Researchers have discovered that dramatic daily temperature swings create a vacuum within the barrel, influencing the whiskey’s interaction with the oak staves. This innovative approach sets Black Fox apart in the whiskey-making industry.
Each bottle of Black Fox whiskey is truly one-of-a-kind, reflecting the individual weather conditions each barrel has been exposed to during the aging process. To emphasize this uniqueness, every bottle carries a unique code that allows consumers to trace the specifics of that particular batch. Information such as the grain’s origin, the temperature exposure of the barrels, and other details make each bottle special and distinct. Black Fox offers three expressions of their whiskey, all crafted from triticale, a wheat-rye hybrid grain.
Global Recognition and Expansion
Despite being located in a relatively small city, Black Fox Farm & Distillery has gained international acclaim for its whiskeys. Winning gold medals at prestigious competitions like the World Whisky Masters and IWSC, their expressions have caught the attention of whiskey connoisseurs worldwide. In addition to serving the local market in Saskatchewan and neighboring provinces, Black Fox has expanded its reach to countries such as Britain, China, Denmark, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates. With the weather playing a crucial role in the whiskey-making process, Black Fox stands out as a truly unique distillery where nature is considered an essential ingredient.
The whiskey-making process at Black Fox Farm & Distillery in Saskatoon is not only innovative but also deeply rooted in the natural elements that surround the distillery. Embracing the beauty and extremes of Saskatoon’s weather, Black Fox has created a truly distinctive product that has garnered recognition on a global scale. Customers can enjoy a taste of Saskatchewan’s unique climate in every bottle of Black Fox whiskey, making it a standout in the world of whiskey production.