Wine & Dine

Untamed – A Signature Whisky by Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

By: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has launched a unique beverage offering exclusively available at the resort. You can now enjoy Untamed – a Signature Whisky either neat or in one of 3 specialty cocktails.

Nils Schabert, regional manager of mixology for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in Canada’s Western Mountain Region created this whisky, in partnership with Park Distillery in Banff, to give our guests a unique and local offering. It is 100% Canadian Rye and is the only whisky to be aged in Banff National Park. We spoke with Nils to find out the inside scoop on this and the inspiration behind it’s name.

Chateau Lake Louise: What was the process for selecting the whisky?
Nils Schabert: To begin I tasted all eight barrels of raw 75% proof whisky that Park Distillery had already aged. After selecting the perfect barrel I began the process of diluting it down to the 45% proof of the final product.

Chateau Lake Louise: What do you use to dilute the whisky?
Nils Schabert: We use water to dilute the raw whisky. It comes from six glaciers high in the Rocky Mountains and gains minerality as it travels down the Bow River, past us here at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise down to Park Distillery in Banff.

Chateau Lake Louise: What is the meaning behind the name Untamed?
Nils Schabert: The name “untamed” represents the wild area that envelopes Lake Louise and the Chateau. The name stands for strength, confidence and the untamable nature that surrounds us.

Chateau Lake Louise: Why the symbol of the horse?
Nils Schabert: Horses are an important symbol of the history of the area. Not only were they necessary to explore this area by making the first trails and bringing people up to the lake but also indispensable when building our worldwide renowned Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
The symbol of the horse combines the history of Lake Louise with our everlasting dedication to explore new ways of making our guest’s stay a true experience.

Chateau Lake Louise: Where can you get this whisky?
Nils Schabert: Untamed is sold exclusively at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, either as a dram or in three unique cocktails, in either Alpine Social or Fairview Bar

bottle of whiskey beside a tasting glass sit in front of a moutain range

Untamed – Tasting Notes

Nose: Candied orange rind with subtle notes of dark chocolate, black pepper and overripe plum
Palate: Strong cinnamon spice and wildflower honey with green fennel and crabapple
Finish: Leather and tobacco leaf with a strong lasting choke cherry mulled wine
Best Served with: A side of water to open it up, or over ice.
Best Paired with: Steak, charcuterie or dark chocolate