Updated, May 17, 2023
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 Distillery
I did get to taste many of these during my visit. Some of my standouts included the Tofino Absinthe (Alchemist Absinthe also highly rated as well as their Apple Liqueur), Antidote Black Gin, Wayward Drunken Hive Rum, and Shelter Point Smoked Point.
Congrats to all the winners, especially to Sons of Vancouver!
BC Distilled (at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 6-9 p.m., May 13th, Tix bcdistilled.ca) is celebrating (almost) its tenth year. Hard to believe it’s almost a decade since the inaugural event in 2014. This will actually be the eighth—almost annual—BC Distilled, thanks to the “little hiccup we had in there”, says founder Alex Hamer.
The growth in exhibitors parallels the remarkable blossoming of the West Coast industry. And that continues apace. Some numbers: the first BC Distilled featured 16 distilleries out of the 20 in BC in existence at the time. Fast forward to the present. “It’s actually kind of hard to keep track of the number of distilleries in BC but it’s around 80 or 85,” says Hamer. “And we have 39 coming to this year’s show!”
“We’re pouring 185 products, too many for any one person to try—but it’s really cool. Out of those 185, we have 45 gins—18 of which are flavoured gins, 36 are liqueurs, 32 are whiskies plus 20 vodkas.”
Hamer says he restricts the number of spirits distillers can bring “because otherwise some of them would bring a dozen!” Overall, it really gives you an idea of just how much distilling is going on in BC—likely some 600 products in production.
This year there are no less than 49 products new to BC Distilled. Another 40 are brand new to the market overall. Hamer is thrilled. “Half of the products have never been at BC Distilled—so I’m really excited with that!”
Alex Hamer with PADS puppy Benelli, photo credit @leilalikes
Paws for a cause
Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) has been BC Distilled’s charity partner since 2017. The charity trains assistance dogs to support people of varying needs, from hearing to PTSD support. PADS attends BC Distilled with dogs, puppies—and trainers in tow! Festival-goers are encouraged to donate to PADS and enter a 50/50 draw.
BC Distilled also stages a significant silent auction in aid of the charity, which includes bottles of limited edition, fund-raising spirits (whose production sold out in minutes) from Dubh Glas, Wayward and Devine and others. These specially crafted products have already raised significant funds for PADS, with $45 donated from each bottle sold.
Also included is a coveted bottle of the no longer available Canadian Whiskey of the Year from Sons of Vancouver. This Rye Whisky aptly named “Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze” yields tropical notes on the nose with a smooth Demerara toned palate, from rum cask finishing. Not to mention a ‘robust’ bottling strength of 53% ABV. ;-) With just 300 bottles made (and all sold), this 2023 award winner should prove to be a hotly contested auction item.
Hamer says BC Distilled is “a great opportunity for PADS volunteers to come and see what’s going on—and a great training opportunity for their dogs—and for us actually.” He feels the puppies suit the relaxed mood of the show, which tends to attract a more mature audience.
What to look for at BC Distilled…
Meanwhile, here’s a good cross section, including some ‘must tastes’ from a preview, curated by Hamer and generously hosted by Odd Society Spirits. A common theme for me (beyond the consistent high quality) is the degree of creativity and unabashed originality that drives the West Coast scene. It’s readily apparent in this selection—and I’m sure there’ll be plenty more at the show.
Antidote Distilling Co. ‘Black Gin’ (Port Alberni)
One of the more unique gins I’ve tasted. It seems actually more dark green than black, likely from the fact that it’s coloured with salal berry jelly. Also in the mix are local mushrooms, truffles, spruce and lavender. A really intriguing flavour profile, very ‘forest floor’, with earthy notes and a touch of citrus.
Copperpenny Distilling No. 006 Oyster Shell (North Vancouver)
A co-pro with Fanny Bay oysters, who supplied the shells. Also noted are ‘foraged botanicals from the Okanagan’, which makes us wonder if there’s some sagebrush in there somewhere. A lovely combination: easy sipping with a gently briny edge. But you could also make a heck of an oyster shooter with it!
Mad Lab / Vij’s Lantern Gin (Vancouver)
Mad Laboratory Distilling collaborated with Vikram to come up with this intriguing recipe that draws broadly on spices used in Vij’s cuisine, blended with traditional gin botanicals. Hints of cardamom and fennel with prominent orange.
Wayward Barrel Aged Char #3 (Courtenay)
As far as I know this is BC’s sole distillery that works only with honey. Aged in ‘Drunken Hive‘ rum barrels for eight months. Very smooth sipping, with sweet orange and vanilla undertones.
Bruinwood Estate Distillery Ube Likor (Roberts Creek)
Definitely one of the more unusual spirits you’ll taste at BC Distilled. Purple in the glass it’s somewhat reminiscent of Empress Gin. However any similarity stops there as this colour comes from cooked purple yams. Very definite forward aromas of cooked yam and some earthy notes carry through to the palate.
Devine Distillery Ancient Grains 5-Grain Whisky (Saanich)
From one of BC’s oldest craft distilleries (since 2007). Made with barley, spelt, emmer, eikhorn and Khorasan, with the barley grown and malted in Saanich, while the other grains are ‘local’ or from within BC. Co-mashed, fermented, distilled and barrel matured for three years—as opposed to one year for the regular (award winning) Ancient Grains. Fruity, nuts, spice and smoky hints, contemplative. First release at BC Distilled.
Dubh Glas Green Alligators (Oliver)
Ageing whisky in the warm Okanagan, says Hamer, results in a richer maturation and often an increase in ABV, as here, from 62.5% to 66.5%—bottled at 46%. This one spent 2 1/2 years in in 100 litre Bourbon barrels before being finished in Okanagan ‘port-style’ barrels. It’s quite mouth-filling, gently caramel and has a slight red tinge in the glass. Very good sipping! First release at BC Distilled.
Odd Society Spirits Smoke & Oak Rauch Malt (Vancouver)
The distiller’s ingenuity is on display here, with one of those ideas that came out of nowhere, says Odd Society founder and distiller Gordon Glanz, who credits distiller Joel McNichol with “creating our own unusual method.”
“We still distil everything twice, traditionally, as in the Scottish method. But in the final distillation we run the vapours through our gin basket.” “As they go through they extract this nice smoky flavour.” In the end it turns out to be “a surprisingly light whisky,” he says. Indeed it’s the perfect balance of this four year old malt that starts out gently fruity with some stone fruit hints before an assertive but measured smoky end. Beyond good sipping, it’s …mildly addictive. First release at BC Distilled.
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Aside from the main tasting event on May 13th there are many more scheduled during the week leading up. Several award-winning distillers will be featured at various tastings, including hard to find spirits such as Sons of Vancouver’s Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze, mentioned above—2023 Canadian Whisky of the Year at the recent Canadian Whisky Awards.
Buy tickets from bcdistilled.ca.
BC Distilled Public Tasting
Saturday, May 13,
6:00pm to 9:00pm, Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
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