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BC Distilled 2023

BC is known for its craft beer scene, but did you know that we have just as lucrative of a spirit scene? And that the best way to learn more about your local provincial spirits is through the annual BC Distilled Festival?

BC Distilled began in 2014 as a consumer tasting festival for British Columbia’s many locally-produced spirits. Every spring, industry and drink enthusiasts are invited down to peruse tables and taste their way through bottles and labels of spirits from vodka to gin, rum to whiskey, and every thing in between. All of which are from distilleries owned and operated, locally in British Columbia.

And this year after three years of postponed and modified events, BC Distilled brings its annual tasting festival back to full strength with 40 distilleries and over 180 spirits to sample. Hundreds of locally produced, artisan spirits being poured between two expansive rooms at the Croatian Cultural Centre.

And having attend all the modified years, I can fully confirm that the selection this year was bigger and better. And it included the introduction of many new makes and even more vintages borne out of the pandemic’s lull, and the desire to drink more while being isolated at home.

A few of the distilleries launching new products at the event included “whiskies such as Green Alligators from The Dubh Glas Distillery, Ancient Grains 5-Grain Whisky from DEVINE Distillery, and Smoke & Oak Rauch Malt from Odd Society Spirits”. As taken from the press release.

“British Columbia continues to lead the country in producing quality, innovative spirits – many of them produced by the 40 distilleries attending the festival.”

During the week prior to the festival, some of BC’s award-winning distillers were showcased at special tastings hosted by BC Distilled organizers. There, new and limited releases were featured; as well as sold-out products. Products such as Sons of Vancouver’s Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze, which was awarded 2023 Canadian Whisky of the Year at the recent Canadian Whisky Awards. And lucky us, we were able to get a taste at BC Distilled.

The entirety of the event had partial proceed donated to Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), who were at the show for pets and hugs. On top of entering a 50/50 draw, guests could also participate in a silent auction to help support the cause. Prizes varied and included many bottles generously donated by the exhibitors you were tasting from on the day.

I will not be going into detail on all the sips I partook in, as my goal was to try them all. Instead, I invite you to review the list of participating distillers below and take in the photos of the event posted throughout. I have featured my favourites and the most memorable.

List of Participating Distillers:
Alchemist Distiller
Ampersand Distilling Company
Antidote Distilling Co.
Arbutus Distillery
Bruinwood Estate Distillery Inc.
Callister Craft Soda
Central City Brewers & Distillers
Copper Spirit Distillery
Copperpenny Distilling Co.
DEVINE Distillery
Driftwood Spirits
Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Company
Elder Bros Farms Distillery

Fernie Distillers
Five-Bottle Bar Book
Forbidden Spirits Distilling
Gin Lane Distilling Co.
Heritage Acres Distilling
Indigenous World Spirits
Long Table Distillery
Mad Laboratory Distilling

Mainland Whisky
Maple Leaf Spirits Inc.
Misguided Spirits Craft Distillery
Mixers & Elixers

Monashee Spirits
Odd Society Spirits
One Foot Crow Craft Distillery

Raincity Distillery
Red Bridge Distilling Ltd.
Resurrection Spirits

Route 1 Distillery Ltd.
Shelter Point Distillery
Sheringham Distillery
Shuswap Highland Stills Ltd.
Sons of Vancouver Distillery
Stillhead Distillery
The Dubh Glas Distillery
The Liberty Distillery
The Woods Spirit Co.
Tofino Distillery
Tumbleweed Spirits
Wayward Distillery
Yaletown Distilling Company

But if considering what to buy and what to try from the long list above, you can refer to the shorter list of award winners below. As voted by attendees of the 8th annual BC Distilled Festival, the votes are in and here are the top picks out of over 200 spirits from across British Columbia.

2023 Distillery for the year went to Sons of Vancouver, who has participated in every Distilled Festival since its origin in 2014.

BC Distilled 2023 Audience Favourites Awards:


• Absinthe: Tofino Distillery – Psychedelic Jellyfish Absinthe
• Amaro or Vermouth: The Woods Spirit Co. – Barrel aged Amaro
• Barrel-Aged Gin: Stillhead Distillery – Islay Cask Gin
• Brandy or Eau-de-Vie: Maple Leaf Spirits – Lady of the Cask

• Flavoured Gin: Odd Society Spirits – Strawberry Gin• Fruit Liqueur: Alchemist Distiller – Nectar – Apple Liqueur –
• Gin: Antidote Distilling Co. – Black Gin
• Infused or flavoured vodka: Shuswap Highland Stills – Wee Nip of Coffee Spirit• Lime or Limoncello: The Woods Spirit Co. – Limoncello


• Liqueur: Elder Bros Farm Distillery – Apple Strudel Liqueur
• Rare & Fine Other Spirits: Wayward Distillery – Drunken Hive Rum
• Vodka: Ampersand Distilling Company – Per Se Vodka
• Whisky: Shelter Point Distillery – Smoke Point
• White Spirit: Tumbleweed Spirits – Raspberry Moonshine
• BC Distilled 2023 Distillery of the Year: Sons of Vancouver Distiller

In closing, why purchase international brands and simply reach for the bottle you know, when you can consider options closer to home and support local in doing so.

bcdistilled.ca

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