Five distilleries, one weekend, and a new way to taste Niagara.
When most people think of Niagara, they picture cascading waterfalls, winding vineyards, and endless glasses of Chardonnay. But if you know where to look, you’ll find another story pouring quietly in the background: whisky. Niagara is home to five whisky-producing distilleries, each offering a glimpse into how the region is reshaping Canadian whisky culture. And the best part? They’re all within about an hour of each other, making for the perfect sipping trail.
Start your journey at the Kent Motel, a retro-modern boutique stay that captures Niagara’s cool-but-classic vibe. Not far from your first distillery stop, it’s the perfect mood-setter for a weekend of whisky exploration. Pro tip: If you’re not traveling with a designated driver, Niagara has Uber, so you can sip and travel responsibly.
Wayne Gretzky Estates
Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky didn’t just lend his name to a whisky label; his estate has become a fully fledged destination for wine, cocktails, and Canadian whisky alike. Known for approachable, crowd-pleasing whiskies often finished in wine casks, the distillery is a great starting point for newcomers.
Tour Options: Choose the Wine, Spirit, and Cocktail Tour (45 minutes) to see all sides of the operation, or walk in for a dedicated Wayne Gretzky Estates Tasting.
Our Whisky Pick: Try the Wayne Gretzky Maple Cask — a subtle nod to Canada’s sweetest export.
Limited Distilling
More lab than traditional distillery, Limited is where experimentation takes centre stage. While their whiskies quietly mature in casks, they’re busy pushing boundaries with everything from jalapeño moonshine to rum to aged gins. It’s a place where creativity flows as freely as the stills, and every visit feels like a peek into liquid R&D.
Tour Options: Offered Saturdays and Sundays from 11–12, the Tour & Tasting includes a guided walkthrough of the production area, a history of the distillery, and your choice of either a spirit tasting (three samples) or a cocktail flight (three mini cocktails).
Our Pick: Limited Rye Moonshine — think of it as whisky that just hasn’t grown up yet.
Spirit in Niagara Distillery
Founded by fourth-generation farmer Arnie Lepp, Spirit in Niagara is rooted in 200 acres of tender fruit and grapes. Known for turning Niagara’s peaches, plums, pears, and cherries into small-batch spirits, they’re also building a whisky program with a Canadian whisky, a mixed mash, and a bourbon-inspired release already in the works.
Tour Options: A $22 guided experience includes three spirits of your choice plus a sample of the Cocktail of the Day. Expect a relaxed atmosphere and a chance to explore the breadth of their portfolio, from fruit-forward eau de vie to emerging whiskies. Note: a 17% gratuity is added on top.
Our Whisky Pick: Spirit in Niagara Brrrrbon — a playful Ontario spin on a southern classic.
Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers
If you’ve heard of one Niagara distillery in the cocktail world, it’s probably Dillon’s. Known for their bitters and innovative small-batch spirits, they craft every bottle with locally sourced fruits, grains, and botanicals, many grown right in their distillery garden. From field to glass, Dillon’s spirits reflect the land around them, with close ties to Niagara farmers and the harvests that inspire both their spirits and their cocktails.
Tour Options: Guided tours run Saturdays and Sundays at 11am & 2pm, including a cocktail on arrival and a tasting of four spirits. Or stop by the Distillery Garden Cocktail Bar (Fri–Sun, 12–4pm) for seasonal cocktails in a laid-back setting.
Our Whisky Pick: Keep an eye out for Dillon’s Rye 1 — a cult-favourite release when available.
Forty Creek Distillery
A pioneer in modern Canadian whisky, Forty Creek is known for bold, flavour-forward blends that helped redefine the category. Their lineup ranges from approachable classics to distillery exclusives, with a reputation for creative blending that pushes boundaries.
Tour Options: Daily tastings (Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 11am–5pm) let you sample four whiskies from their award-winning range free of charge. While no production tour is included, the shop often stocks bottlings you won’t find anywhere else.
Our Pick: Forty Creek Foxheart — a whisky that adds a splash of rum into the blend for a tropical-tinged twist on Canadian whisky.
—by Reece Sims
