The recent explosion of microbreweries and locally made craft beer has reached a similar level of affection that BC wine has held for some time. But did you know BC is also home to world-class distilleries? From locally sourced ingredients to hand crafted distilling methods, BC spirits are on the cusp of being the next big thing.
Go try them for yourself! Each of these distilleries offers public tours and tastings and are located in some of the province's most beautiful cities, towns and destinations. Check out one or two on your next weekend getaway, or plan an epic road trip to see them all. Remember to enjoy responsibly - drink in moderation and always have a designated driver. Happy sipping!
1. Victoria Distillers – Sidney, BC
Victoria Distillers crafts award winning gin, vodka, whisky and bitters from their waterfront distillery in Sidney, BC. Despite being rooted in history as one of Canada’s oldest, small-batch spirits companies, they focus on creating unique ‘liquid bar tools’ for lovers and creators of innovative cocktails. Victoria Distillers’ old-school cocktail lounge features food, live music and experimental cocktails and is the only place you can try their Sidney Spiced spirit, made from organic vanilla beans, orange peel, ginger root, and star anise seed. Book a tour or tasting HERE.
Victoria Distillers - 9891 Seaport Place, Sidney, BC
2. Shelter Point Distillery – Campbell River, BC
Shelter Point Distillery is situated on 380 acres of farmland in Oyster River, BC. It’s on this land that they grow the organic barley used to distill their signature whisky and vodka. As one of the few distilleries that grow their own barley and distill on the same site, their guiding concept aims at sourcing high-quality local ingredients and taking the time to do things right. Their whisky is aged for five years in oak barrels, but you can try it now. Book a tour or tasting HERE.
Shelter Point Distillery - 4650 Regent Road, ?Campbell River, BC
3. DeVine Spirits – Saanichton, BC
DeVine crafts distinctive gin using BC wine grapes instead of grain from their German copper pot still. The spirit is triple distilled with wild-gathered botanicals for a smooth finish that carries flavours distinct to their location in Saanichton, BC. Their tasting room has a breezy west coast charm and is child and pet friendly. Bring the whole family!
DeVine Spirits - 6181B Old West Saanich Road, Saanichton, BC
4. Ampersand Distilling – Duncan, BC
Ampersand Distilling Company is a family run craft distillery located on a gorgeous 5-acre organic farm in the Cowichan Valley. Their rustic tasting room features a beautiful douglas fir bar and the same iron piping that powers their stills. Book a visit to their tasting room HERE.
Ampersand Distilling - 4077 Lanchaster Road, Duncan, BC
5. The Dubh Glas Distillery – Oliver, BC
‘Dubh Glas’ is Gaelic for ‘from the dark water’, which refers to the distillery’s pure ‘dark’ water that is fed by an underground aquifer through the Okanagan Valley. Whisky is the priority at Dubh Glas and is made from the finest raw products available. Their quaint tasting room peeks right into their operations area, so you can see the magic in action. Tours and tastings are offered Friday to Sunday from 11:00am – 6:00pm.
The Dubh Glas Distillery - 8486 Gallagher Lake Frontage Road, Oliver, BC
6. Kootenay Country Craft Distillery – Slocan, BC
Photo: slocancity.com
As charming as it gets! Kootenay Country Craft Distillery is a small, family-run distillery that follows the 100-Mile Diet philosophy. From heirloom wheat to seasonal fruits, flowers and botanicals, everything used at Kootenay Country is sourced from… Kootenay Country! In addition to their farm-to-bottle philosophy, the distillery only uses spring water from Selkirk Mountain, which they believe is key component of their clean, lightly sweet spirits. Book a tour or tasting HERE.
Kootenay Country Craft Distillery - 7263 Gustafson Road, Slocan, BC
7. Okanagan Crush Pad – Summerland, BC
Okanagan Crush Pad has been producing incredible wine from the picturesque vineyard since 2011, but they have since ventured distilling high quality grape-based spirits. Their vineyard and distillery is absolutely gorgeous and is open seven days a week. Book a group tour or private tasting HERE.
Okanagan Crush Pad - 16576 Fosbery Road, Summerland, BC
8. Urban Distilleries – Kelowna, BC
Although located in wine country, Urban Distilleries has certainly made a name for themselves in the spirit world. They practice traditional and sustainable distillation methods and offer complimentary single tastings of their “Spirit Bear” spirits daily. Proceeds from their tasting flights go to the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition and their cocktail and martini bar is the perfect place to relax after touring their incredible craft distillery and winey. Book a tour or tasting HERE.
Urban Distilleries - 325 Bay Avenue #6, Kelowna, BC
9. Old Order Distilling Co. – Penticton, BC
While their hand crafted spirits are worth the visit alone, Old Order Distilling Company’s tasting room features an inventive and rotating cocktail menu that features local, seasonal produce, house-made artisanal mixers and of course, excellent spirits. Visitors are also welcomed to tour the distillery where they can view the massive German handcrafted copper pot still. Book a tour or tasting HERE.
Old Order Distilling Co - 270 Martin Street, Penticton, BC
10. Pemberton Distillery – Pemberton, BC
Pemberton Distillery is the province’s only Certified Organic Distillery. Their spirits are made in small batches using traditional methods and 100% BC grown raw materials. They grind their potatoes, they mill their grains, they distill using hand-operated copper pot stills and they bottle every spirit by hand. Visit their tasting room and get a glimpse of what hand crafted really tastes like. Book a tour or tasting HERE.
Pemberton Distillery - 1954 Venture Place, Pemberton, BC
Beyond distilleries, you’ll find loads of other interesting places and attractions to stop at around our province. Ready to explore more of British Columbia? Visit explorebc.ca for more info.
