Vancouver’s Award-Winning Artisan Distilleries.
November 09 2021, Mercedes-Benz Vancouver
Artisan distilleries are the cultivated counterparts to Vancouver’s well-known craft breweries. Discover the award-winning, locally-made, handcrafted libations that are putting British Columbia on the map.
Artisan Distilleries
The title of “Artisan Distiller” is coveted. It’s one that not every small-batch or craft spirit producer gets to call themselves. A strict qualification process ensures that all artisanal spirits are true artisanal spirits. (It also makes craft spirits that much harder to come by — and that much more desirable.)
To be considered a true Artisan Distiller, a company must meet the following four criteria:
Create Original Product - Artisan products are always unique to and created by the named distiller. They’re never rebranded or white-label products. When you purchase an artisan spirit, you can trust that it’s truly something special and that it’s been crafted with care.
Distill in Small Batches - Small-batch distilling is key to holding the artisanal title. Craft distilleries can produce up to, but no more than, 100,000 litres of their spirits annually, making them higher quality and rarer than their mass-produced counterparts.
Be Independently Owned - Big-label distilleries can’t hide behind artisanal product lines. Distilleries must be owned and operate independently of other, larger companies in order to be considered small-scale and artisan.
Use Artisan Methods - To be considered truly artisanal, distilleries must employ their own unique techniques to ferment, blend, infuse, or age their spirits. This ensures that artisanal spirits aren’t just smaller batch versions of other spirits — they’re different, and they’re better.
Locally-Made Vodka
Per Se Vodka by Ampersand Distilling Company
Made with 100% locally-grown wheat at the Ampersand distillery in Duncan, Per Se was voted British Columbia’s best BC-distilled vodka in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Photo courtesy of Jaks.
Mad Lab Vodka by Mad Lab Distilling
This award-winning, triple-distilled vodka is crafted locally by Mad Lab Distilling, which has been operating out of Vancouver since 2013.
Local Infused Vodkas
Wild Blackberry Vodka by Stillhead Distillery
Naturally infused with BC berries, this vodka is Vancouver-made in nature and nurture. Stillhead Distillery is family-owned and operates out of Cowichan, BC. Photo courtesy of Stillhead.
Ginger Matcha Vodka by Taynton Bay Spirits
This refreshing, pre-mixed vodka-based cocktail is handcrafted using local wheat at the Taynton Bay Spirits distillery in Invermere, BC.
Handcrafted Gin
Cascadian Gin by The Woods Spirit Co.
This award-winning, classic gin is made in North Van by The Woods Spirit Co., using traditional distillation methods and locally-sourced ingredients.
Barrel-Aged Gin by Long Table Distillery
Aged in small batches using 30-litre bourbon barrels, this premium gin is unique, complex, and locally-made at Long Table Distillery in Vancouver. Photo courtesy of Long Table.
Small-Batch Whisky
Single Malt Whiskey by Shelter Point
This Vancouver Island whiskey is distilled batch-by-batch in the ocean air, using copper pots and local ingredients. Visit Shelter Point in Campbell River. Photo courtesy of Shelter Point.
Ancient Grains Whiskey by Devine Distillery
Distilled at Devine Distillery in Saanich using grains that have been part of BC’s landscape for centuries, Ancient Grains is unique and truly local.
BC Vermouth
Bittersweet Vermouth by Sons of Vancouver No. 82 Amaretto
Based on an old Italian recipe and modernized using botanicals and BC wine, this Odd Society vermouth is both new and established, European and local.
2018 Vermouth by Beaufort Winery
Beaufort Wines is new to artisan spirits and already making their mark. By fortifying their base wine with Sooke vodka, their vermouth is uniquely BC.
Barrel-Aged Nightcaps
Barrel-Aged Amaro by The Woods Spirit Co
The Woods Spirit Co. has done it again! Their North Vancouver-made, barrel-aged Amaro won gold in the 2020 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition. Photo courtesy of The Woods.
Lady of the Cask Brandy by Maple Leaf Spirits
This handcrafted, award-winning, small-batch brandy is distilled using Okanagan grapes and French oak barrels at Maple Leaf Spirits in Penticton.
Sweet Sips
Sons of Vancouver No. 82 Amaretto
Composed of just five ingredients—apritcot kernels, Bourbon vanilla beans, demerara sugar and BC blackberry honey—this delectable small-batch spirit sells out quickly, so if you see it available, pick up a few bottles.
Odd Society Crème de Cassis
This version of the classic French liqueur is crafted from BC-grown blackcurrants, and is delicious served simply as an aperitif, or splashed into a glass of champagne for a special occasion.
Lifting Your Local Spirit(s)
Whether you’re stocking the bar, gifting a friend, or simply treating yourself to a special aperitif collection, these local distillers are sure to elevate any wet bar.
