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: [...]
Bagheera, you may recall, is the sleek, black panther in Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. In this decidedly post-Colonial era I was intrigued to see the name resurface—as the moniker of Vancouver’s newest hidden cocktail lounge. As it turns out, however, Bagheera comes by its handle honestly. Owners and cocktail [...]
Bearface aside, I’ve never been particularly crazy about Canadian whisky. Maybe it has something to do with my upbringing. You’re more likely to catch me nosing a Islay single malt or even a drop of Irish. My main encounter with Cdn, whisky was at long vanished, still missed Vong’s Kitchen. There, back in the 90s, [...]
Vancouver Cocktail Week Gives Covid the Boot… Well, it certainly feels that way. The inaugural Vancouver Cocktail Week did that and then some. And achieved it with just as much substance as style. The program of happy hours, tastings and seminars was originally scheduled for early 2020. But we all know what happened then. And [...]
appeals to casual tipplers and serious spirit hounds alike. It’s as much about the distilleries and what’s in the glass... as the people who make it happen.
Victoria Day … Growing up in the United Kingdom (are we still allowed to call it that?) I never really understood why ‘stat’ holidays were called ‘Bank’ holidays. Other than the banks (with their already ludicrous ‘bankers’ hours’) were closed all day. Not to say that Victoria Day makes any [...]
The Haggis Match: What to Drink (as opposed to sip) on Burns Night
Single Malt and Stout by Zoom, early in the pandemic...
I’ve been following the adventures of Sooke’s Sheringham Gin almost since Day One. So I’m beyond thrilled to hear their Seaside Gin won ‘Best Contemporary Gin in the World’ at the World Gin Awards. I’m especially delighted for Sheringham, in that they embody so much of what it takes to succeed as a small, remote [...]
Why would over 200 people patiently line up outside the Vancouver Aquarium on a near freezing winter's night? To taste chowder. That's why. And not just any chowder but 14, truly unique, BC recipes. And all OceanWise at that. Thursday night's 2019 Chowder Chowdown, as usual, was an unqualified success. Fourteen leading restaurants, resorts and [...]
