BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #98 - Maple Leaf Spirits Kirsch

DISTILLERY NOTES

The finest tree-ripened cherries from local orchards are hand picked, carefully fermented and distilled using a German copper pot still and centuries-old traditional methods. The resulting hand-crafted distillates have rich aromas and fruit flavours that are typical of Kirschwasser in Germany's Black Forest region, Austria, and Switzerland.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

You know how much I love Maple Leaf Spirits and their kirsch is no different. Complex cherry tree, the flavor encompasses everything from the fruit, leafs, bark; dry with hints of sour fruit. 

Alcohol - 40% / 80 proof

Color - Clear

Nose - Dry sour cherries with hints of cherry bark

Taste - Complex, dry sweet cherry fruit tones with hints of cherry leaf and bark

Finish - Long, fresh cherry and hints of that bark and leaf

Best Enjoyed - Chilled neat

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BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #97 - Gillespie's Fine Spirits Lemoncello

DISTILLERY NOTES

Gillespie's Fine Spirits Lemoncello won first place in the Aperitif/Digestif category at this year’s BC Distilled. Made with the zest of 3-4 organic lemons per bottle. Slightly sweetened to balance the flavour but light in comparison to other commercial varieties

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Love this lovely fresh limoncello from Gillespie’s Fine Spirits. Candied lemon, aromatic lemon peel with hints of bitterness. If you are a fan of limoncello, then you have to add this one to the collection

Alcohol - 28% / 46 proof

Color - Light translucent yellow

Nose - Lemon hard candies

Taste - Candied lemon peel with hints of sweet lemonade. Hints of aromatic bitter skin in the back palate

Finish - Not overly cloying sweetness, aromatic lemon

Best Enjoyed - Chilled neat

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.

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BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #96 - Roots and Wings Sidekick

DISTILLERY NOTES

Sidekick is a unique blend of our young, corn-based whiskey - Rebel - infused with cinnamon and honey, bringing a delightful combination of sweet and heat to an already fantastic backbone spirit popular for its hints of smokiness from toasted oak. 

Sidekick is our version of a Fireball cinnamon whiskey but you can enjoy it without regret. There's gentle notes of sweetness and warmth, making it smooth and easy to savour straight.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

I don’t love cinnamon spirits like Fireball, hate cinnamon hearts and the such. But this fantastic substitute from Roots and Wings is a blend of flavorful young whisky, real cinnamon and hints of honey. Get a bottle of this instead of Fireball for your camping trip.

Alcohol - 40% / 80 proof

Color - Deep copper orange, burnt sugar

Nose - Woody cinnamon, corn whisky, hints of caramelised honey

Taste - Earthy, real cinnamon, great corn whisky backbone and hints of honey but no sweetness

Finish - Autumn spice, cinnamon, honeycomb and spice

Best Enjoyed - Play around with this in an old fashioned with bourbon 50/50

BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #95 - Spinnakers Creme de Cacao

DISTILLERY NOTES

Spinnakers small-batch spirits are distilled in our oceanside distillery with 100% BC grown malted grains and water from our on-site artesian well. Made with 100% BC grown malted grains, aquifer water, Sirene cocoa husks, and organic cane sugar.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Amazing new products coming out of the Spinnakers distillery and this one is super tasty. Using Sirene cocoa husks gives this a great spectrum of chocolate flavor, not overly sweetened; just a solid Creme de cacao. 

Alcohol - 25% / 50 proof

Color - Translucent chocolate brown

Nose - Hessian bag full of cocoa husks

Taste - Complex chocolate from sweet milk chocolate to bitter nibs, hints of alcohol but not overwhelming

Finish - Sweet chocolate throughout without cloying sweetness. Very balanced.

Best Enjoyed - 20th Century

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.

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BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #92 - Okanagan Spirits Blueberry Liqueur

DISTILLERY NOTES

Our blueberry liqueur features ripe blueberries picked from along the BC coast which create a burst of fresh flavours on the palate.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Today’s spirit is from Okanagan Spirits, gorgeous summer in a bottle, Blueberry Liqueur. Like drinking blueberry concentrate without the sweetness and the addition of rich tannins. 

Alcohol - 24% / 48 proof

Color - Bright purple with light edges

Nose - Stewed blueberries, tannic skin

Taste - Tannic, sweet skin forward with gentle blueberry flesh and bright acidity

Finish - Fresh, underripe blueberry with palate pleasing acidity

Best Enjoyed - Gin, blueberry collins; gin, blueberry liqueur, lemon juice and soda; garnish with blueberries and mint

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.

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BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #86 - Shelter Point Hand Foraged Botanical Gin

DISTILLER’S NOTES

Our hand-crafted botanical gin is distilled in small batches on our family owned distillery in Oyster River, Vancouver Island. What makes our spirit so bold and distinctive? Well for one, we use hand foraged local ingredients. The few ingredients we can’t find on our own farm are sourced from only the finest locations.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

An oldie but a goodie. You probably know Shelter Point Distillery for their amazing whiskies but their gin is special too. Focussing on terroir, this gin balances out fruity malted backbone with earthy and complex botanicals. Good starter gin for people even at 46%.

Alcohol - 46% / 92 proof

Color - Clear

Nose - Fresh cut pine, malted barley, musty forest

Taste - dried citrus, musty juniper with heavy dried herb kick (coriander and cardamon), salinity on the tongue along with deep malty backbone

Finish - Complex dried herbs and spices with sea air

Best Enjoyed - A great ballsy gin for Negronis, mix equal parts with Wood’s Amaro and Esquimalt Rosso Vermouth

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.

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BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #82 - Legend Distilling Blasted Brew

DISTILLERS NOTES

Cold brewed with locally roasted organic beans from our friends at Homestead Roastery right here in Naramata, BC.  Blasted Brew delivers a bold, smooth coffee flavour, with raw cocoa nibs and fresh vanilla bean.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

I love coffee and I have a soft spot for liqueur highballs from my younger years. The coffee liqueur from Legend Distilling is a delicious blend of perfectly roasted coffee, vanilla and sweetness. If you drink Kahlua, this is a superior product.

Alcohol - 24% / 48 proof

Color - Dark coffee brown

Nose - Heavy roasted coffee, chicory with subtle hints of vanilla

Taste - The coffee is heavily roasted but still has complexity, the vanilla is mid palate and then finishes sweet. Very reminiscent of a Turkish coffee, strong and sweet

Finish - A little sweet in the finish, not overly cloying though. Round coffee notes and hints of vanilla

Best Enjoyed - In a shaft or white russian

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.

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BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #81 - Fermentorium Discovery Street Gin

DISTILLERS NOTES

The gin features subtle spices of black pepper and coriander balanced with brighter citrus notes of grapefruit and lemon peel. Juniper berries, grains of paradise and cassia bark work to impart a crisp and dry finish that create the perfect canvas for your next craft cocktail masterpiece.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Happy World Gin Day! Could have done so many gins today but decided to give the Fermentorium Discovery Street Gin a whirl. I have said it before, gin first with the flavoring balanced second. A rich, ballsy London dry style with the complex citrus jacked up.

Alcohol - 43% / 86 proof

Color - Clear

Nose - Bright citrus (obviously) on the nose, complex though with dried, fresh and flesh from various types. Hints of classic juniper in the background

Taste - This could sub for many London Dry styles, complex botanicals with bold juniper forward notes then leaning into that rich citrus push in the back palate

Finish - Clean juniper and bright citrus

Best Enjoyed - Classic martini with Esquimalt Dry vermouth and lemon twist

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.

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BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #80 - Roots and Wings Distillery Renegade

DISTILLERS NOTES

Renegade is Roots and Wings Distillery’s unique and bold horseradish-infused vodka. This spirit is crafted in small batches with horseradish (sourced from a Fraser Valley farm) steeped in our Vital Vodka, which is made from our homegrown potatoes and corn. The name – Renegade - reflects its untamed nature, breaking away from the traditional sweet finish of vodka to deliver distinct earthy tones, a kick of heat and an aroma of fresh radish!

This horseradish vodka is ideal for the savory cocktail enthusiast and a great base for a spicy Caesar, Bloody Mary, Horseradish Sour or Dirty Martini garnished with smoked olives! If you’re adventurous, then try it out in your cooking, such as vodka cured salmon. Be a Renegade, break free from the norm!

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Can’t believe I’ve missed this Roots and Wings Distillery product for so long. Their Renegade Horseradish Vodka. On the nose, freshly grated horseradish and then the rich, slightly sweetness of the base spirit pairs beautifully with the aromatic horseradish, not overly spicy but balanced. Perfect for a Caesar up, Red Snapper style.

Alcohol - 40% / 80 proof

Color - Clear

Nose - Freshly grated horseradish, very punchy

Taste - The sweetness and texture of the base alcohol, corn and potatoes balances out the hugely aromatic horseradish flavor. Hints of light aromatic spice, not offensive

Finish - Horseradish in the back of your nose, reminding you of what you are drinking with a very light flavor in the finish

Best Enjoyed - In a caesar or dirty martini

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.

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BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #79 - Okanagan Spirits Aquavitus

DISTILLERS NOTES

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery distills an award-winning Aquavit that has been embraced by the local Scandinavian community and others who enjoy this aromatic 42% alc./vol. spirit.

It’s quality was affirmed at the World Spirits Awards held in Denmark in 2015 where it earned a Double-Gold in the ‘home of Aquavit.’

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Everyone knows my love for Akvavit / Aquavit. Let’s try one of BC’s first with the Okanagan Spirits Aquavitus. Rich and herbaceous, the cumin really strikes a savory cord. Spectacular example of aquavit, great diversity of the spirit across the province. A bit of an underdog.

Alcohol - 42% / 84 proof

Color - Clear

Nose - A wallop of cumin and caraway with a wet concrete background

Taste - Complex and herbaceous, rich and broad flavors of anise, hints of savory dill and a huge pop of cumin

Finish - Left with sweet base spirit and savory tones

Best Enjoyed - With pickled fish if that’s your thing

BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #78 - The Liberty Distillery Barrel Aged Old Tom

DISTILLERS NOTES

Endeavour Old Tom Gin begins with our 100% organic BC triple-distilled wheat spirit. (10) traditional botanicals are slowly infused during re-distillation in our single copper pot still. The gin is then further macerated with a blend of five additional local and traditional botanicals before resting in 220-litre French Oak barrels for several months, to slowly gain character, complexity and colour.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

I have a thing about barrel aged Old Tom gin, I understand the history thought process but am still unconvinced. That being said, this is a delightful example of “New World” Old Tom, candied fruit, complex spice and perfectly balanced oak component makes this a perfect Martinez base.

Alcohol - 45% / 90 proof

Color - Deeper orange brown with copper edges

Nose - Sweet cut grass with hints of grapefruity juniper

Taste - Complex sweet wood with the grapefruit notes of juniper following on the palate, with hints of dried spices like cardamon, cubeb and the like on the back

Finish - complex sweet oak with juniper and botanicals on the breath out

Best Enjoyed - Give this a go in a classic Martinez with Esquimalt Rosso

BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #77 - Long Table Cucumber Gin

A locally made cucumber gin from Long Table Distillery is a great sub for Hendrick’s. Has an amazing gin botanical backbone that balances well with the fresh cucumber flavors. The cucumber is rich with complex notes of both the skin and flesh, another “flavored” gin that is a gin first and flavoring second. 

Alcohol - 44% / 88 proof

Color - Clear

Nose - Funky cucumber skin with hints of pine and black peppercorns

Taste - Briny whole cucumber, skin and flesh, black pepper spice with bright piney juniper

Finish - Gin forward profile with long cucumber freshness in the finish

Best Enjoyed - Gin and Phillips Cucumber and Mint Tonic

BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #76 - Devine Spirits Honey Shine

Another honey “rum”, this time from Devine Spirits. Rich, sweet with complex grassy notes and an oily texture. Give this a try in a classic daiquiri.

Alcohol - 42% / 84 proof

Color - Clear

Nose - Funky stone fruit, hints of sweet apple or pear, a little funk but nothing too crazy

Taste - Oily texture, rainwater on hot concrete, stonefruit pits and hints of grassy notes

Finish - Oily finish, good alcohol kick with a complex funky grassy finish

Best Enjoyed - Classic daiquiri with a BC twist

BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #75 - Wood's Nocino

Another great product from Woods Spirit Co. Bright and complex due to the vacudistillation. The coffee gives a great backbone to allow the green walnut to shine balanced out with bright orange peel and herbal undertones. 

Alcohol - 30% / 60 proof

Color - Coca Cola brown with light edges

Nose - Bright orange and herbs with coffee and walnuts in the background

Taste - Bright and complex, layers of orange, coffee, walnut and herbs; almost a chocolate orange quality

Finish - stays bright with nice acid from the orange, lingering walnut and coffee notes

Best Enjoyed - Served chilled straight up

BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" 74- Wayward Distillery Char #3 Barrel Aged Gin

Wayward Distillery barrel aged gin, Char #3 is a delicious combination of their honey based gin with 6 months aging in ex bourbon barrels. A medley of sweet honeysuckle, complex botanicals and vanilla, spice and oak from the barrel. Hit this up in a Barrel Aged Negroni with Esquimalt Wine Co. Rosso and Woods Spirit Co. barrel aged Amaro.

Alcohol - 45% / 90 proof

Color - Very light wheat gold

Nose - Honeysuckle, bright juniper and hints of oaky spice

Taste -Sweet vanilla and spice from the bourbon barrel, hints of honey comb and complex botanicals

Finish - Long barrel notes with sweet gin in the finish

Best Enjoyed - Sans Barrel Barrel aged Negroni - this, Barrel Aged Wood’s Amaro and Esquimalt Wine Co. Rosso

BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" 73 - Bruinwood Distillery Advocaat

One of the only craft advocaat in the country is from Bruinwood Distillery. A classic Dutch “liquid dessert” combining their craft vodka with egg yolks, cream and vanilla, a veritable alcoholic drinking custard. Pour this over your apple pie for a kicked up dessert.

Alcohol - 17% / 84 proof

Color - Bright creamy yellow

Nose - Cold custard, vanilla with a hint of alcohol

Taste - Vanilla pudding, custard with bold round texture, the real thing

Finish - creamy custard with hints of alcohol

Best Enjoyed - Over apple pie, or in a Fluffy Duck

BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" 72 - Laird of Fintry Rum Barrel Finish

DISTILLERY NOTES

“The Laird of Fintry Blue Label is our family’s latest release in our special cask finish series of Single Malt Whisky.

This rum-barrel, double-wood Laird is for the seafaring whisky lover. With a hat tip to BC’s coastal heritage, this fine grog exudes generous waves of caramelized plum, winter-spice, and sticky-rum-pudding. Our Admiral of a single-malt is to be sipped slowly with your crew, allowing the fruit undertones and toasted oak to gently roll across your palate. Let your senses experience the exceptional while you lift a glass to toast the Laird’s swashbuckling twin.”

Wanted to keep the whisky train moving with this amazing expression from Okanagan Spirits. The rum barrel finished is a beautiful melding of the Laird classic profile with Martinique rum grassiness and hints of sweetness is perfect.

Alcohol - 42% / 84 proof

Color - Deep burnt copper orange

Nose - Bright stonefruit notes with hints of grassy sweet rum tones

Taste - Soft malt with hints of stonefruit, classic Highland profile of the Laird melded perfectly with the slightly sweet, grassy notes of the rum barrel finish

Finish - Beautiful malt notes mixed with long lingering but balanced rum sweetness

Best Enjoyed - Neat

BC Spirits "Spirit a Day" #71 - Shelter Point Smoke Point

Introducing Shelter Point’s first ever peat influenced whisky. This single grain smoky delight has been aged in American oak ex-bourbon casks for 5 years and finished in casks previously used by a famous Islay distillery for 8 months. 

I don’t partake in smoky whiskies much but this one is something special. The Shelter Point Smoke Point is a delicious single malt combining their classic single malt with an Islay whisky finish. Amazing how much flavor comes from finishing, beautiful campfire smoke and flinty stone; reminds me of being on the river and having a late night fire. 

Alcohol - 55% / 110 proof

Color - Deep gold to light wheat on the edges

Nose - Light vanilla and gentle barley notes with a hint of the smoke to come

Taste - The Islay smoke hits you straight away, bold and mouth feeling but the Shelter Point whisky holds up and comes through and balances the smoke.

Finish - Complex smoke tones but as that subsides, classic Shelter Point

Best Enjoyed - Neat

Maple Leaf Pear Williams

Classic Willliams (Bartlett) pear brandy is the epitome of what eau-de-vie is about. Clean, aromatic, and distinct, Pear Williams captures the essence of the fruit from which it came. The finest tree-ripened Williams (Bartlett) pears from local orchards are hand-picked, carefully fermented and distilled using a German copper pot still and centuries-old traditional methods.

Alcohol - 40% / 80 proof

Color -Clear

Nose - Fresh pears on the tree on a summer day

Taste - Aromatic pear ranging from under ripe and ripe flesh, tannic skin and seeds

Finish - Clean aromatic pear profile that lingers

Best Enjoyed - Neat paired with some delicious blue cheese

Okanagan Spirits Sea Buckthorn Liqueur

Sea Buckthorn is a small berry usually found on a thorny shrub that is known for it’s ancient healing properties. Feel refreshed as this super-berry surprises you with bursts of citrus and undertones of honey.

Needless to say the unique flavour of Sea Buckthorn is out of this world and ideal for the liquid chef, the healthy imbiber and the curious.

Alcohol - 24% / 48 proof

Color -Honey gold

Nose - Funky cheese notes and honey comb

Taste - Deep, rich honey comb and hints of almost pickled citrus, bright acidity paired with honey sweetness and hints of that funky cheese notes

Finish - Sweet honey comb, acidic nectarines and funky cheese tones

Best Enjoyed - Really interesting cocktail ingredient, also on it’s own with a cheese board