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Owned by the Colebank family—Brennan and Erica, and his parents Ron and Christal—this craft distillery in the Cowichan Valley ferments and distills all their products from B.C.-grown fruits and grains.
105-5301 Chaster Road, Duncan
250-748-6874
Stillhead.ca
• Vodka
• London Dry Gin
• Wild Blackberry Infused Vodka
• Kirsch
• Aged Apple Brandy
This Delta-based distillery uses only local agricultural products in its spirits, which include a wheat-based whisky.
105B-8257 9nd St., Delta
604-349-3316
LucidSpirits.ca
• Northern Vodka
• Northern Gin
• Oaked Gin
• Apple Spirit
• B.C. Rye
• Blueberry Liqueur
• Raspberry Liqueur
• Lemon Liqueur
• Coffee Liqueur
At this Hornby Island distillery, icebreaker Capt. Peter Kimmerly has joined forces with organic chemist Dr. Naz Abdurahman to craft quality spirits, notably gin, using classic and creative botanicals.
4605 Roburn Road, Hornby Island
250-335-0630
IslandSpirits.ca
Read more about Island Spirits Distillery:
• Distant distilleries: The challenges and benefits of making spirits in rural regions
• Phrog Vodka
• Phrog Gin, Aquavit,
• Vanilla Vodka
• Wicked Orange
• Raspberry Eau de Vie
• Fruit brandies (seasonal)
• Holunderbluten (elderflower liqueur)
Salt Spring Shine is a small, family owned artisanal distillery that makes products from the fermentation of local honey.
194 Kitchen Road, Salt Spring Island
250-221-0728
SaltSpringShine.com
• Sting Gin
• Hive Vodka
• Honeycomb Moonshine
• Apple Pie Moonshine
Rekindling the tradition of his Italian ancestors, Daniel Paolone, along with friend Ian Jarvis, are distilling spirits with local ingredients, starting with vodka and rum.
117-667 Sumas Way, Abbotsford
778-251-6002
CrowsNestDistillery.com
• Crow’s Nest Vodka
• Crow’s Nest White Rum
• Crow’s Nest Spiced Rum
Crow’s Nest VodkaFRAGRANCE: Faint vanilla.
FLAVOUR: Cinnamon spice.
FEEL: Clean and crisp.
FINISH: Short and pleasant, light vanilla.
BEST ENJOYED: Vodka soda.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Extraordinarily clean and crisp, true to the essence of vodka as a neutral grain spirit. —Robyn Gray, October 2017
Using winter wheat, Maple Ridge-based NorthWest creates its signature vodka by distilling it 10 times and cold-filtering eight times through charcoal.
104-20120 Stewart Cres., Maple Ridge
604-818-6972
NorthWestDistillingCo.ca
• North West Vodka
North West VodkaFRAGRANCE: Just alcohol.
FLAVOUR: Sweet. White pepper.
FEEL: Silky and balanced.
FINISH: Short but pleasant.
BEST ENJOYED: Chilled. Minimal dilution. Makes a good Martini.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Very easy-drinking vodka. —Josh Pape, October 2017
Dean and Louise Perry moved from Alberta to the Shuswap to begin their distilling adventure. They focus on flavoured moonshine, vodkas and whisky, but gin is also in the works.
1201 Shuswap Ave., Sicamous
250-836-5187
AfterDarkDistillery.com
• Copper Island Gin
• After Dark Burner Vodka
• Monashee Mountain Vodka
• Monashee Mountain Whiskey
• Cinnamous Whiskey
• Loudmouth Soup
• Monashee Mountain Moonshines
Monashee Mountain Apple Pie MoonshineFRAGRANCE: Amazing nose of fresh baked cinnamon buns, quince tarte tatin and cream cheese.
FLAVOUR: Apple candy sweetness dominates.
FEEL: Very light viscosity.
FINISH: Sweet finish with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Astringent, bitter notes.
BEST ENJOYED: In hot apple cider on a fall day.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Could use more viscosity and natural apple flavour. —Shaun Layton, October 2017
• 1.25 oz (35 mL) Grey Goose vodka
• 0.75 oz (22 mL) St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• 0.75 oz (22 mL) freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2.5 oz (75 mL) chilled soda water
Place vodka, elderflower liqueur and lime juice in a cocktail shaker along with some ice. Shake vigorously. Fine strain into a chilled flute or large wine glass and charge with soda water. If you like, add a few cubes of ice and garnish with a slice of lime. Serves 1.
• 1.5 oz (45 mL) Ciroc Vodka
• 0.5 oz (15 mL) Ancho Reyes chili liqueur
• 0.25 oz (7 mL) crème de cacao (chocolate liqueur)
• 0.5 oz (15 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 dashes of Bittered Sling Lem-Marrakech bitters
Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass. If you like, garnish with a dehydrated lemon wheel. Serves 1.
• 1 oz (30 mL) vodka
• 0.5 oz (15 mL) St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• 0.75 oz (22 mL) lemon juice
• 0.75 oz (22 mL) Monin jasmine flower syrup
• 2 dashes Bittered Sling Grapefruit & Hops bitters
• 1 egg white
Place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Once you have created voluminous foam, add ice, and shake again. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Serves 1.