Salted Caramel Rob Roy

Christos Kaliatzis’ Salted Caramel Rob Roy. Duncan Joseph photo

The Rob Roy was created in 1894 at Manhattan’s Waldorf Astoria; at Central City, bartender Christos Kalaitzis created this salty-sweet version that won the Canadian Art of the Cocktail competition in 2017.

INGREDIENTS:
• 1 oz Lohin Mckinnon single malt
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 0.5 oz salted caramel sauce (see recipe below)
• 2 dashes rosemary bitters
• Garnish: Orange zest

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Roll out the barrel

Surrey’s Central City may have begun as beer brewers, but they are fast becoming one of B.C.’s most important distillers of single malt.

Central City has 1,400 barrels of single malt aging right now.

He may have a lengthy career in brewing behind him, but Gary Lohin is clear: “I’ve been a whisky aficionado for even longer.”

He got his start in beer at Whistler Brewing back in 1989, before spending most of the 1990s at Sailor Hagar’s Brewpub in North Vancouver. He moved to Central City Brewpub in Surrey in 2003 where his Red Racer beer lineup established him as one of B.C.’s top brewmasters. It was on trips to Oregon and California that he visited microdistilleries and began noticing that breweries there were adding stills. So, when Central City began planning its new production facility in 2010, Lohin suggested to his business partner that they should add a distillery.

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The B.C. Filibuster

The B.C. Filibuster by J-S Dupuis. Lou Lou Childs photo.

Just in time for the provincial election, a politically inspired cocktail with ingredients that celebrate British Columbia.

INGREDIENTS:
3 oz Lohin McKinnon Single Malt Whisky
3/4 oz apple butter diluted with just enough water to make a thick syrup
2 dashes of Bittered Sling Suius Cherry Bitters
1 dash Bittered Sling Kensington Bitters

METHOD:
Place all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir well. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass and add fresh ice. Garnish with a dehydrated apple chip.

­—by J-S Dupuis

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Central City Brewers & Distillers

The successful B.C. brewer of the popular Red Racer beers, Central City began distilling after it moved into a giant new facility in North Surrey in 2013.

11411 Bridgeview Dr., Surrey
604-588-2337
CentralCityBrewing.com

Read more about Central City Brewing and Distilling:

Bitter & Sweet: Why you should be drinking vermouth made in B.C.

Roll out the barrel: Where B.C. was once a major barrel producer, today distillers are scrambling to find casks

Sweet launch for bitters line

What’s gold and bronze and acclaimed all over: Local Lohin McKinnon Whisky launches to international accolades

Recipe: Blueberry Gin Smash

It’s G&T time: The Alchemist’s tasting panel searches for the best B.C. gin to enjoy with your tonic

Business in the back, party in the front: Distillery tasting rooms are some of the hottest cocktail bars in B.C. Here are a few to try in the Vancouver area

Recipe: Salted Caramel Rob Roy

Royal flush: Central City’s newly-released gin pays homage to its B.C. roots

B.C.’s gold-medal gin: Central City strikes award-winning balance with Queensborough

Roll out the barrel: Surrey’s Central City may have begun as beer brewers, but they are fast becoming one of B.C.’s most important distillers of single malt.

B.C. distilleries aim to produce world-class whiskies

Recipe: QB Spring Into Gin cocktail

Recipe: QB Blackberry Zest cocktail

 


PRODUCTS:

• Lohin McKinnon Whiskies
• Queensborough Gin
• Queensborough Omakase Japanese Gin
• Queensborough Wine Barrel Aged Gin
• Queensborough Pink Raspberry Gin
• Sparrow Rum
• Peeled Orange Liqueur
• Fit Hard Soda
• Bitters by Christos


TASTING NOTES:


Queensborough Gin

FRAGRANCE: Spruce tip.
FLAVOUR: Spruce, juniper and citrus.
FEEL: Soft and smooth.
FINISH: Lasting botanical bouquet.
BEST ENJOYED: In a Last Word cocktail.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
London Dry style gin with added spruce tip gives a unique West Coast flavor. Well rounded. —Robyn Gray, July 2016


Spirit of Merlot Liqueur

FRAGRANCE: Very light. Background of wine fruit.
FLAVOUR: Light and subtly sweet. Allspice and anise notes.
FEEL: Thin, with some alcohol warmth.
FINISH: Lengthy. Sits on palate with a background of fruity notes.
BEST ENJOYED: Chilled or alongside a warm beverage.
THE BOTTOM LINE: A fun, local eau de vie. –Trevor Kallies, October 2016


Lohin McKinnon Single Malt Whisky

FRAGRANCE: Stonefruit, honey, heather, slight oak.
FLAVOUR: Christmas cake, toffee, candied citrus.
FEEL: Lovely silky feel on the palate.
FINISH: Subtle spice, stewed fruit, charred oak.
BEST ENJOYED: As is, no water, no ice.
THE BOTTOM LINE: If this is three years old, we are in for a treat in the next ten years on the West Coast for whisky. –Shaun Layton, February 2017


Spirit of IPA

FRAGRANCE: Floral, mild hops, citrus, jelly bean.
FLAVOUR: Slightly sweet, some chocolate notes.
FEEL: Light to medium body.
FINISH: Super clean, spicy, delicious.
BEST ENJOYED: Neat. Would also make a fantastic Gin Sour.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Super-cool product. Not overpowering or as hoppy as you might expect. –Scott Barber, June 2017


Lohin McKinnon Barley & Rye Lightly Peated Whisky

FRAGRANCE: A touch of peated grain when you search for it.
FLAVOUR: Peat smoke more present on palate. Rye spice is nice.
FEEL: Spicy.
FINISH: Nice rye spice.
BEST ENJOYED: Neat at bottle strength or a touch of water.
THE BOTTOM LINE: They did a good job on this one. It’s a fun whisky to sip on. –Trevor Kallies, October 2017