The Distilling industry has really exploded over the last 5 years. A simple Google search of BC distilleries produces 71 results with 6 more opening soon. Last year I did a holiday cocktail advent on the blog, with a new cocktail posted daily. I am planning to continue that tradition with my 2nd annual cocktail advent, this year highlighting several of these amazing local BC distilleries. Be on the look for that starting Dec 1 on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
A complete list of all the BC distilleries can be found here.
Several of the distilleries listed below are 100% Craft. What does it mean to be 100% craft?
- Only BC grains, fruit and produce
- Only on-site fermentation and distillation using traditional methods
- No additives, preservatives, or artificial flavors
- No neutral grain spirit
- Total annual production cannot exceed 100,000 liters per year
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Contents
Liberty Distillery
This Granville Island distillery was established in 2010, The Liberty Distillery is Vancouver’s 1st TRUE CRAFT artisan distillery located in the heart of historic Granville Island. Selecting only the best organic BC grains, The Liberty Distillery carefully ferments; then triple distills in traditional copper pot stills to produce hand-crafted spirits with character and distinction. They are also 100% craft. which means they don’t use any additives, preservatives or artificial flavors. Spirits are fermented and distilled on site. They offer tours of the distillery with complimentary tastings (currently suspended due to COVID) .
Traditional, eclectic, knowledgeable and fun; TLD’s enthusiastic team invite you to visit their unique tasting room and step back in time at their 120-year old Saloon Bar to taste Classic Old Fashioned cocktails and Signature Creations.
Open 7 days per week; visit their on-site store to select from a variety of Award-winning Vodkas, Gins, and Whiskey. Cocktail service begins at 12 Noon Monday – Thursday and 11am Friday – Sunday.
Minors are welcome in the distillery as long as they are accompanies by an adult. You can shop for all their premium whiskey, gin and vodka online. Domestic shipping is available.
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Mainland Whisky Distillery
This South Surrey Distillery has some amazing whisky liqueurs like coffee and cherry and of course their whisky options include old fashioned, corn, ginsky, northern comfort, cinnamon and the time machine. The time machine is aged in an electric box, wired with time-altering devices.(heat, pressure, and recoopered dismantled wine barrels.) They have an on-site tasting room with flights, cocktails and soul food (with vegan options). Their menu changes seasonally. You can enjoy music and book private functions here as well.
Shipping is available across Canada.
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Odd Society
Odd Society is a small batch craft distillery located on Powell Street in East Vancouver’s port district. Odd Society is dedicated to combining Old World distilling traditions with New World ingredients and ingenuity to create a family of spirits including whiskey, vodka and gin. They too are 100% craft.
Founder and Distiller Gordon Glanz holds an MSc in brewing and distilling from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland where he experimented with distilling whiskey using raw grains and commercial enzymes.
There is a tasting lounge on site, it was designed to represent the soul of Odd Society—warm and welcoming, but out of sorts and charmingly unusual. In fact it is a converted motorcycle garage! They serve signature cocktails that explore and celebrate the unique qualities of their family of spirits as well as beer from neighbouring breweries often featuring unique collaborations between distiller and brewer, plus some of their favorite BC wines. The tasting lounge is open Thursday thru Sunday. See current hours on their website.
Shop online for cocktail kits and signature spirits. They offer free shipping across Canada with a min order of $125. They also offer free delivery within the Vancouver area with a minimum order of $60. Several retailers also carry their spirits.
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Okanagan Spirits
Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery is Western Canada’s original craft distillery, dating back to 2004. The distillery sprung from the idea of using 100% locally grown fruits and grains to make premium, world-class spirits just a tractor-ride away from the orchards and fields where the base ingredients were grown. BC’s original farm-to-flask distillery now offers a selection of more than 30 internationally awarded spirits ranging from Single Malt , BRBN Bourbon-Style, BC Hopped, and BC Rye Whiskies, to Gins, Vodkas, Fruit Liqueurs and Brandies, to Aquavit and even Taboo Genuine Absinthe.
There are two locations, Kelowna and Vernon BC, each with their own barrel rooms and patios serving their award-winning farm-to-flask spirits. Tours are available at the Vernon location. Shop online, shipping is free across Canada with a minimum order of $125.
Address: 267 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, BC & 5204 24th Street, Vernon, BC
Roots and Wings Distillery
This Craft distillery situated on the quiet farmland of North Langley proudly produces small batch artisan spirits from quality ingredients that are homegrown on their country farm. The distillery is inspired by their agricultural roots and passion to craft uniquely distilled spirits from quality products that they lovingly grow on their land. Their collection of seed-to-sip spirits includes vodka, whiskey, gin, absinthe and liqueurs that can be enjoyed on their own or in your favourite craft cocktails and mixed drinks. Roots and Wings has a cute tasting room and an outdoor covered seating area where you can order drinks as well take in some yummy food. They are open everyday except Wednesdays. Find their current hours online. You can purchase their spirits on site, through their online store or at a selection of private liquor stores in British Columbia. Shipping is available across British Columbia.
Address: 7897 240 St, Langley, BC
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Stealth Craft Distillers
North Vancouver’s Stealth Craft distillery was fully assembled using top of the line equipment from generational manufacturers Vendome Brass & Copper. The distillery has been around for over a decade. John and Randy both attended Moonshine University in Louisville, Kentucky to receive training from some of the most experienced in the industry. They began distilling their first batches of “vodka” in 2016 and the dream of creating their own product had come to life. Their award-winning line-up includes corn vodka, wheat vodka and Stealth west coast rum – toasted coconut. They have their own Health Canada approved hand sanitizer, Coastal Cleanse that is exclusively manufactured at their North Vancouver distillery, their 70% alcohol sanitizer is made up of food grade ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and glycerin.
You can purchase their spirits and hand sanitizer online or though a variety of liquor stores in BC. Shipping is available in BC and to the USA at this time.
The Woods Spirit Co.
The Woods Spirit Co. is a North Vancouver distillery that combines traditional and scientific distilling methods, locally discovered ingredients, and unbounded curiosity to create spirits ingrained in the outdoors.
Born from the combined curiosity of a group of friends whose lives have been enchanted and shaped by the West Coast, they craft genuine spirits that exist in an urban setting but reflect all the virtues of idyllic nature. Their award-winning spirits include: Amaro, Cascadian Gin and Limoncello.
Woods Spirit Co. has an on-site tasting room where you can come and enjoy one of their signature cocktails, including the “Clevedale”. The tasting room is open for cocktails Thursday to Sunday 3pm – 9pm. You can find their spirits as a variety of stores in Vancouver and Victoria or you can order online. Delivery is available within Metro Vancouver or you can have the items shipped anywhere in Canada.
Address: 1450 Rupert Street North Vancouver, BC
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Wayward Distillery
Wayward is the first distillery in Canada to ferment and distill honey into spirits. They are located in Courtenay BC, on the Island. 1% from all spirit sales goes back to the production and promotion of bees and pollinators. They have an impressive line-up of unique craft spirits including gin, vodka, rum, bourbon an amazing spiced honey liqueur. I had the opportunity to sample some of their wares at this years Vancouver Christmas Market. I was impressed by everything I sampled. The Rasberry Gin Liqueur was so good. The Espresso and Cacao bean Vodka Infusion called Depth Charge was so smooth and the last one I tried was Krupnik – Spiced Honey Liqueur – amazing! I immediately could think of a few festive/winter cocktails that they would work well with them. The I was glad to have them come on board as a sponsor this year. Depth Charge won Best in Class, Gold at the 2018 Canadian Artisian Spirit Competition and Krupnik (celiac Safe version) also won Gold at the 2018 Candian Artisian Spirit Competition. You can find their products at various liquor stores in the Greater Vancouver area as well as purchase them online.
Address: 2931 Moray Ave, Courtenay, BC
