Episode #30 - Lauren Mote and Jonathan Chovancek of Bittered Sling Bitters

Had a great chat with the husband-wife team behind Bittered Sling Bitters based right here in BC, a great bitters line that has been slowly taking over the globe for the last 8 years. We chat their backgrounds and get into the thought processes behind the brand, them meeting and the true nature of drinks entrepreneurship.

About Bittered Sling

Bittered Sling Bitters celebrates the unique life and business partnership of celebrated chef Jonathan Chovancek and award-winning mixologist/sommelier Lauren Mote, who together have contributed more than 30 years of professional experience, knowledge and innovation to the Canadian food and beverage industry.

Mote has been making bitters since 2008—over half her career. The sweetest partnership would launch on February 12, 2012—where Mote and Chovancek unveiled their Bittered Sling line up to the world —a retail line of high-quality, cocktail bitters and culinary extracts using exceptional ingredients providing the palate, plate and potion with a powerful and exciting fusion of flavours. Since that day —Bittered Sling quickly built a reputation in the international cocktail and culinary community as a premium, high quality cocktail bitters, celebrating stories of travel and terroir, utilizing the finest quality ingredients, stories of heritage and craftsmanship from domestic and international purveyors, with an expertise in blending botanicals and flavours right here in British Columbia, Canada. Bittered Sling continues to inspire creativity within the global drinks community, providing a sustainable, diverse and delicious product for excited cocktail enthusiasts, backed by a quality stamp of approval—Canada Brand. The world needs more Canada…

Join the #1 authority on British Columbia's distilling and spirit culture, we taste through some of BC’s burgeoning craft spirits, from the weird and wonderful to the eclectic. With in-depth tastings, to advice on how to mix craft spirits along with professional bartending tips and tricks; BC Spirits has you covered.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/bcspirits/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER – https://twitter.com/spiritsbc

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgF0PdeTgOmlPrScxGAqxQ

Episode #29 - Jessica Schacht of Ampersand Distilling

I have been fortunate enough to know Jess for years before the distillery opening, bringing test spirits to the Art of the Cocktail to pour for bartenders and enthusiasts alike at private after-parties. Since then, she and Jeremy along with the whole family have created a loyal following with their products across the island and beyond. Glad I had a chance to chat about their awards, what's in the future and more. 

Ampersand Distilling Co. was born out of Jeremy & Jessi's love of craft cocktails, and Jeremy & Stephen's engineering backgrounds. Bringing together his degree in chemical engineering and his parent's love of farming, the distillery was an innovative way to combine their passions.

Despite being busy with other businesses, Stephen & Ramona moved to the Cowichan Valley in 2007 to start a vegetable farm. Their son Jeremy, fascinated with the technical aspects of distillation, set out to find an innovative way to put his degree in chemical process engineering to use. The distillery is a result of that innovation, leading to a new family business.

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Jessica received a BFA Theatre from the University of Victoria in 2010. In addition to working as a stage manager for theatre companies from BC to Ontario, she helped found the distillery and created the distinctive recipe for Ampersand Gin with Jeremy.

Join the #1 authority on British Columbia's distilling and spirit culture, we taste through some of BC’s burgeoning craft spirits, from the weird and wonderful to the eclectic. With in-depth tastings, to advice on how to mix craft spirits along with professional bartending tips and tricks; BC Spirits has you covered.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/bcspirits/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER – https://twitter.com/spiritsbc

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgF0PdeTgOmlPrScxGAqxQ

Episode #28 - Cole Benoit of Apothecary Bitters

We chat to Cole from Apothecary Bitters this week and delve into how he created his first bitters and the fine line between passion and business. 

Join the #1 authority on British Columbia's distilling and spirit culture, we taste through some of BC’s burgeoning craft spirits, from the weird and wonderful to the eclectic. With in-depth tastings, to advice on how to mix craft spirits along with professional bartending tips and tricks; BC Spirits has you covered.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/bcspirits/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER – https://twitter.com/spiritsbc

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgF0PdeTgOmlPrScxGAqxQ

Episode #26 - Dawn and Doug Lennie from Legend Distilling

I have known Dawn and Doug for years and have always been a massive fan of their products. I get to chat to them about their humble beginnings along with spirit development, whisky and using the ingredients found around the distillery. 

ABOUT LEGEND DISTILLING

Pioneers in the Okanagan local food and beverage scene, Doug and Dawn Lennie are the original founders of The Bench Market Cafe in Penticton. In 2012, their passion for bringing people together over a glass or at the table was ignited by their desire to innovate unique, high quality spirits - something that had not been seen before on the Naramata Bench.

In 2013, the Lennies took over the site of the former Doctor’s Office, which had served as the only doctor’s offices in Naramata for over 30 years. With grit and vision, they transformed the property into the current Distillery and Tasting Room, complete with patio, garden, an outdoor restaurant and some of the best lake views in Naramata.

“We believe that by being passionate about local ingredients we are able to support our farmers, producers and other small businesses, which is important to us…but beyond that, we are able to tell a story through the spirits and provisions we make; a story of this amazing place, it’s history, it’s legends and the incredible people who live here. ”

ABOUT BC SPIRITS

Join the #1 authority on British Columbia's distilling and spirit culture, we taste through some of BC’s burgeoning craft spirits, from the weird and wonderful to the eclectic. With in-depth tastings, to advice on how to mix craft spirits along with professional bartending tips and tricks; BC Spirits has you covered.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/bcspirits/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER – https://twitter.com/spiritsbc

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgF0PdeTgOmlPrScxGAqxQ

Episode #25 - Sonia Young of 101 Brewhouse & Distillery

We chat to the head distiller for 101 Brewhouse and Distillery and chat about what lead her to distil, her passion for herbs and grapes and what she has planned for the distillery in the near future. Her knowledge of herbs, fruit and grains is going to make her a force to be reckoned with in the future, so keep an eye out for some unique products coming out off the Sunshine Coast. 

Join the #1 authority on British Columbia's distilling and spirit culture, we taste through some of BC’s burgeoning craft spirits, from the weird and wonderful to the eclectic. With in-depth tastings, to advice on how to mix craft spirits along with professional bartending tips and tricks; BC Spirits has you covered.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/bcspirits/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER – https://twitter.com/spiritsbc

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgF0PdeTgOmlPrScxGAqxQ

Episode #24 - Tyler Schramm of Pemberton Distillery

This was an insightful episode, I use "potato culture" in a sentence, we chat about the  Pemberton Potato and what made a bunch of brothers to decide to open a distillery specialising in organic potato distillation. Tyler is a passionate distiller with a penchant for the difficult, the insane and the challenge. 

Join the #1 authority on British Columbia's distilling and spirit culture, we taste through some of BC’s burgeoning craft spirits, from the weird and wonderful to the eclectic. With in-depth tastings, to advice on how to mix craft spirits along with professional bartending tips and tricks; BC Spirits has you covered.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/bcspirits/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER – https://twitter.com/spiritsbc

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgF0PdeTgOmlPrScxGAqxQ

Episode #23 - Jacob Wiebe of Shelter Point Distillery

We catch up with Jacob Wiebe from Shelter Point, we caught up with him back in January here and chatted about their big win at the Canadian Whisky Awards. This time around, we chat about their sanitizer production work, what's in the works for the next few months and why they finally decided to put out a gin. Always love catching up with Jacob and talking shop; amazing craft whisky distillery. 

Join the #1 authority on British Columbia's distilling and spirit culture, we taste through some of BC’s burgeoning craft spirits, from the weird and wonderful to the eclectic. With in-depth tastings, to advice on how to mix craft spirits along with professional bartending tips and tricks; BC Spirits has you covered.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/bcspirits/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER – https://twitter.com/spiritsbc

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgF0PdeTgOmlPrScxGAqxQ

Episode #22 - Online Presence for Distilleries with Exemplar LM

We deep dive into an online presence, website design and social media marketing for all types of businesses from large to small. Trying to demystify how to create a reliable, sustainable and effective online strategy to get the biggest bang for your buck. Kristoff and I have partnered to build Exemplar LM, a specific media company for the beverage industry.

Join the #1 authority on British Columbia's distilling and spirit culture, we taste through some of BC’s burgeoning craft spirits, from the weird and wonderful to the eclectic. With in-depth tastings, to advice on how to mix craft spirits along with professional bartending tips and tricks; BC Spirits has you covered.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/bcspirits/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER – https://twitter.com/spiritsbc

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgF0PdeTgOmlPrScxGAqxQ

Episode #21 - Alayne MacIsaac from Lumette!

We have a good chat this week with Alayne MacIsaac of Sheringham Distillery but more importantly Lumette! Non-Alc Distillate. We dive into the production method, why they decided to launch a new brand and product and how Lumette! is a stand-alone brand with big aspirations for the future. 

We chatted to her partner and head distiller, Jason a few months ago. You can listen to that podcast here. 

Join the #1 authority on British Columbia's distilling and spirit culture, we taste through some of BC’s burgeoning craft spirits, from the weird and wonderful to the eclectic. With in-depth tastings, to advice on how to mix craft spirits along with professional bartending tips and tricks; BC Spirits has you covered.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/bcspirits/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER https://twitter.com/spiritsbc

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgF0PdeTgOmlPrScxGAqxQ

Episode #20 - Kelsey Mostertman from New Wave Distilling

A fascinating talk with drinks entrepreneur, Kelsey Mostertman from New Wave Distilling, we chat origin stories, the outdoors and why making base spirit from blueberries is both difficult and amazing. 

Episode #19 - Rebekah Crowley of Roots and Wings

Had a great chat with Rebekah from Roots and Wings in Langley; a beautiful little distillery in the ever-evolving, quickly becoming a foodie destination. We got into what she did before creating the distillery, experimenting with new spirits and the great cocktail bar on a turf farm. 

Episode #18 - Clay Potter from Moon Under Water

Had a great chat with Clay Potter from Moon Under Water about his love of beer, the need to distil interesting spirits and his plan for whisky in the near future. If you have missed the episodes on the Shiso Vodkas, head over to YouTube to check them out. 

Episode #17 - Josh McLafferty from Monashee Spirits

I have seen and chatted to Josh at trade tastings etc. but never got to the crux of his passion and I am really glad I did. This is a really deep dive, figuratively speaking into his background into his passion and WHY; which is so important in this game. Great hyperlocal distillery, amazing cocktail bar and a defined direction on how they do everything. 

Episode #16 - Lisa Simpson of Liberty Distillery

This is a great follow up from last week's episode with Tyler Dyck of Okanagan Spirits and Craft Distiller's Guild, this delves into the business and entrepreneurship of distilling and the story behind Lisa going from Corporate Finance to run a gorgeous distillery on Granville Island.

Episode #15 - Tyler Dyck of Okanagan Spirits and Craft Distiller's Guild

In this episode, we delve into the impact of the pandemic on the craft spirits industry in BC with Tyler Dyck, co-owner of Okanagan Spirits and the head of the Craft Distiller's Guild, the lobbyist to the government for the industry. Interesting take as many distilleries are solely making sanitizer for from line workers, but the issues before Covid-19 are still being discussed and pushed through.

Episode #14 - Scott Thompson of Mad Lab Spirits

I get to the bottom of the Mad Scientist himself about the story behind Mad Lab Spirits along the epic Viking Vodka social media, the crazy story behind the Ulker Raki (the only Raki made in the country) and what's next for the distillery.

Episode #13 - Rick Pipes from Merridale Cidery and Distillery

We chat to Rick Pipes of Merridale Cidery and Distillery about buying a craft cidery when craft cider wasn't a thing and starting to distill in the early days of legislation. Also chat about how many super old barrels of product they have right now, like the 12 year old cherry brandy that we tasted earlier this week. 

Episode #12 - Davin de Kergommeaux, Award winning Author

Chatted with Davin over the phone about his newly released book, The Definitive Guide to Canadian Distilleries and how it came to be, the hurdles and in general the beauty of craft spirits in the country. 

Episode #11 - Matt Phillips of Phillips Brewing and Fermentorium Distilling

Chatted with one of the provinces first drinks entrepreneur about starting a brewery 20 years ago, getting told by the government to start distilling and the thought process behind opening one of BC's only standalone malting facilities. 

Episode #10 - Jason MacIsaac of Sheringham Distillery

I absolutely love the opportunity to sit down with my peers in the industry and chat about their origins, their drivers and where they see themselves going. Jason is just that, have worked with him in the past and always love chatting with him about his transition from chef to award winning distiller.