BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #231 - Beaufort Vermouth

DISTILLERY NOTES

After almost 12 months of research and recipe development, we are excited to introduce our first ever vermouth at Beaufort. Vermouth, a fortified, aromatized wine has its roots in ancient Europe, where it was originally used a digestive tonic. Bitter herbs, spices, and citrus fruit are often used in flavouring either the base wine, or the fortifying liquor. Often sweetened, though sometimes not, vermouth can be enjoyed solo over ice, or as an ingredient in cocktails and mixed drinks.

Ours is a modern take on an ancient wine. We fortified our base wine – a single varietal Madeleine Sylvaner – with vodka from Sheringham Distillery in Sooke. We infused the vodka with a secret blend of 11 botanicals including wormwood, rosemary, vanilla, lemon and juniper. Our vermouth is sweetened with natural cane sugar to off-dry.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

The first foray into vermouth, Beaufort Wines has done an outstanding job. The wine is the star, rich stone fruit balance out with complex but subtle herbal notes that give this Vermouth its length and structure. Going to be playing with this in a cocktail this week.

Alcohol - 15% / 30 proof

Color - Light gold

Nose - Aromatic Sylvaner on the nose with subtle undertones of the botanicals poking through

Taste - Off dry aromatic wine, then the complex herbal notes start flowing in, like enjoying a glass of sylvaner in a herb garden on a spring day

Finish - The aromatics from the botanicals take over and sing

Best Enjoyed - Cocktails coming soon

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #230 - Odd Society Storm Brewing Collab Whisky

DISTILLERY NOTES

This whisky, unlike the other two was mashed at Odd Society using 100% rye. We then aged the spirit in an ex-Storm Brewing Black Plague Stout barrel, which was finally blended with a bit of single malt. The result is an easy drinking dram, not quite as wild and crazy as you might expect from Storm.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

The end of the three brewery collabs from Odd Society, this one in connection with Storm Brewing. 100% rye is aged in Black Plague Stout barrels and then blended with a smidge of single malt. Huge classic Canadiana rye on the nose, tannic black tea and lemon flowing through to rye bread and a complex character of stout and barrel with vanilla, caramel and chocolates all finishing dry and lingering rye and dry cacao.

Alcohol - 46% / 92 proof

Color - Light gold edges with deep copper in the middle

Nose - Huge rye bomb, spicy and nuanced with hints of vanilla and dry cocoa in the background

Taste - Big rye in the front, tannic black tea, rye bread then flows into off sweet notes of chocolate, vanilla and toffee and lingering oaky vanilla

Finish - Complex stout notes balance out the spice of the rye, the single malt comes through in the lingering finish

Best Enjoyed - Neat

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Cocktail of the Week # 2 - Manhattan

This week's cocktail is all about showing how to use BC ingredients in your cocktail. A classic Manhattan made with Odd Society Prospector Rye, Esquimalt Wine Co. Rosso and Bittered Sling Kensington Bitters.

MANHATTAN

1 1/2 oz (45mL) Odd Society Prospector Rye

3/4 oz (22.5mL) Esquimalt Wine Co. Rosso

2 dashes of Bittered Sling Kensington Bitters

Glass - coupe

Method - Stir all ingredients with ice and strain

Garnish - cherry and/or orange

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #229 - Odd Society Salal Gin Haida Gwaii

DISTILLERY NOTES

Salal Gin is Odd Society’s answer to British Sloe Gin. Since sloe berries aren’t native to Canada, we hit upon salal as our local equivalent. We had high hopes of releasing “vast” quantities this year but it was a dry season and salal berries and foragers were not plentiful. Luckily, Alexander McNaughton, a forager based in Tofino, was able to gather some for us, as well as Barbara, a resident of the Sunshine Coast.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

The second release of this year's Salal Gin from Odd Society is same but different from the first release from Powell River. While the Powell River was a umami bomb wrapped in berries, this one blows up with berries on berries on berries, not cloying sweet, balanced Wallflower Gin with a myriad of berries from blueberry pie to sticky haskap and blackcurrant.

Alcohol - 30% / 60 proof

Color - Deep purple

Nose - Spectrum of berries from stewed blueberry pie to fresh blackcurrant and haskap

Taste - Balanced flavors with the gin, fresh and forward. The gin works with the fruity sweetness of the berries and allows both of them to shine

Finish - Dry gin botanicals, high and bright berry with little to no residual sweetness

Best Enjoyed - Would love to see this in a gimlet

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #228 - Phillip's Fermentorium Old George

DISTILLERY NOTES

Our “Old George” gin is a nod to the history of barrel aged gins. The nose features juniper berry and delicate citrus notes, complimented by spicy aromas of pink peppercorn and coriander. French oak wine barrels impart a rich complexity to the overall flavour.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

The Old George Barrel Aged Gin from Phillips Fermentorium is a great addition for the catergory lover. On the nose, spicy juniper, hints of vanilla and complex botanicals. On the palate, it bursts with vanilla and spice from the barrel; huge barrel bomb with the gin coming after you swallow and breath out. Bold and unique, a definite gin old fashioned candidate.

Alcohol - 43% / 86 proof

Color - Burnt copper

Nose - Juniper berries, pink peppercorns then leading into barrel notes of vanilla and spice

Taste - That barrel smacks you in the face with vanilla and complex spice, pushing through to the bright juniper, and aromatic botanicals.

Finish - Rich barrel finish with warming winter spice and hints of juniper in the final breath

Best Enjoyed - Old Fashioned style

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #227 - Sheringham Distillery Lemon Gin Liqueur

DISTILLERY NOTES

Our new Lemon Gin Liqueur is made with a new gin base and delectable, premium lemons. We decided to take the fresh, tart notes of the fruit and gently sweeten them to create a spirit that is 100% Sheringham. The final liqueur is great for sipping, or just add ice and soda for a simple cocktail.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

The last one from this years tri pack from Sheringham Distillery. Their new London Dry based Lemon Liqueur is amazing, aromatic lemon from the gin based balanced out with sweet candied lemon and a hint of acid. On the rocks with tonic and you are good to go.

Alcohol - 25% / 50 proof

Color - Soft yellow white

Nose - Bright sweet and acidic lemon on the nose, blending fresh juice with candied peel; along with a big wallop of their London Dry

Taste - Well balanced sweetness, bright and complex lemon smacks you first and then rolls into that juniper forward gin poking its head out in the middle palate

Finish - The sweetness dispels quickly and you are left with a bright citrus forward gin finish

Best Enjoyed - With tonic and play around with it in a White Lady

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #226 - Odd Society Parallel 49 Collab Whisky

DISTILLERY NOTES

This whisky is based on P-49’s Old Boy beer recipe using BC grains. It’s a more traditional single malt whisky but beer drinkers might recognize the distinct Old Boy taste.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Number 2 of the 4 brewery collab whiskies coming out of Odd Society. This one is the Old Boy Brown Ale from Parallel 49, giving gorgeous fruity notes on the nose with peaches and pears and then blowing up your palate with rich toffee and caramel. My favorite so far of the collaborations.

Alcohol - 46% / 92 proof

Color - Light straw on the outer edges getting more copper in the middle

Nose - Peaches and pears with hints of vanilla, bright notes

Taste - Those pears and peaches come through on the palate and then flow into caramel and toffee. The higher alcohol keeps this dry

Finish - Dry and fresh finish, hints of the toffee and caramel balanced with pear freshness

Best Enjoyed - Neat

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #225 - Jones Distilling Bathtub Gin #6 Raspberry

DISTILLERY NOTES

Bathtub gin is a term from 1920’s American Prohibition, when bathtubs were used to steep alcohol and various botanicals. From these rough origins is borne a truly premium product. Our bathtub gins form part of the Revelstoke Gin Series, a family of locally-made spirits. This series has been handcrafted using ingredients from all over the world. By carefully combining international with local we have created something unique.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

First time trying this from Jones Distilling, #6 in their Bathtub Gin Series. Infused with raspberries and possibly tea, on the nose you get balanced bright gin notes of citrus and juniper along with real raspberries fresh off the bush. On the palate, it blends that classic west coast gin notes with dry raspberry and a hint of tannic tea. Use this in a Clover Club, a hint of sweetness will blow this up.

Alcohol - 37.5% / 75 proof

Color - Watermelon pink

Nose - Fresh off the bush raspberries, hints of juniper and citrus

Taste - Real raspberry, sweet, tart, green seeds, and stems. Then flows through to juniper, citrus and classic Jone’s gin notes.

Finish - Fresh tart raspberries, bright citrus and juniper

Best Enjoyed - Clover club cocktail for sure

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #224 - Fermentorium Small Talk #2

DISTILLERY NOTES

Pulled from 8 barrels aged 4 1/2 years; 6 ex bourbon that had held beer as well as a red wine cask and rose cask and then blended.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Another fantastic one from Phillips’ Fermentorium with their second edition of Small Talk. Cut grass, bright fruit on the front palate leaning into deep bass notes of chocolate and funky forest floor on the back. A perfect lawn mover single malt for your Sunday’s.

Alcohol - 41% / 82 proof

Color - Light straw golden

Nose - Soft stonefruit, cut grass, hints of funky notes including a hop twang

Taste - Soft and supple on the palate, cut grass, stone fruit, funky forest floor notes with a distinct hop twang

Finish - Leaves you with chocolate, funky forest floor and distinct hop notes

Best Enjoyed - Neat

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #223 - Sheringham Distillery London Dry Gin

DISTILLERY NOTES

Presenting our London Dry Gin with a balanced bouquet of bright juniper and citrus. Luxurious mouth feel with soft edges bringing together citrus and juniper, leaving the palate with a crisp and dry sensation and a faint trace of spice. Beautiful in its simplicity, this gin does not need much to shine. Get to know all of this gin’s nuanced flavours in a refreshing and elegant martini. Incorporate this extremely versatile spirit into an array of other gin cocktails or simply sip over ice with a twist of lemon.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

A part of the seasons Aromatic Pack, the new Sheringham Distillery London Dry packs a classic juniper punch, leaning into that earthy almost woody style of juniper in the classics it is trying to mimic along with balanced and nuanced citrus in the back and the backbone of classic botanicals. This is a great sub out for your tanqueray and beefeater style gins.

Alcohol - 43% / 86 proof

Color - Clear

Nose - Huge earthy, almost fruity juniper aromas, hints of citrus and underlying botanicals

Taste - Strong and complex juniper, more classic than West coast style, earthy, woody and poignant. The citrus and other subtle botanicals sit in the background balancing out the juniper hit.

Finish - Aromatic juniper balanced with long and lingering citrus

Best Enjoyed - Sub for your classic style gins

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Cocktail of the Week # 1 - Solid Gold Negroni

The very first Cocktail of the Week in the new bar, The Solid Gold Negroni featuring Sheringham Distillery Seaside Gin, Wood's Spirit Co. Amaro and Esquimalt Wine Co. Rosso, all gold medla winning spirits from distilleries here in BC.

SOLID GOLD NEGRONI

1oz. (30mL) Sheringham Seaside Gin

1oz. (30mL) Wood's Amaro

1oz. (30mL) Esquimalt Wine Co. Rosso

Glass - Old Fashioned

Method - Stirred and strained over large cube

Garnish - orange twist

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #222 - Legend Distilling Manhattan

BC SPIRITS NOTES

The last in the series from Legend Distilling. Their Manhattan is a take on the classic that fits closer to a Brooklyn. Rich whisky notes with dried orange peel and that distinct twang of cherry bitters. Very balanced, throw it on the rocks or stir and strain up with an orange twist.

Alcohol - 28% / 56 proof

Color - Light golden syrup

Nose - High wheat notes from the Wyatt, dried curacao orange peel and hints of vanilla

Taste - Balanced blend of whisky, bright orange notes, vanilla then the dry cherry comes through

Finish - Lingering and mouth filling, hints of vanilla, orange and cherry with just a hint of the whisky

Best Enjoyed - Stir on the rocks or served up, orange twist

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #221 - Wayward Distilling Unruly Gin

DISTILLERY NOTES

Unruly Gin starts life as 100% pure BC Honey. We gently ferment our honey into mead and distill that mead to spirit using custom designed stills to separate out the harsh heads and the oily tails, ensuring that only the softest and sweetest hearts are ever collected. We then distill those hearts one final time, using vapour infusion to capture the delicate and bright aromas of our unique blend of locally sourced and organic botanicals.

This unique starting point, paired with a variety of traditional and West Coast ingredients, will make this Unruly Gin stand up in any cocktail or martini and stand out as a must-have for the gin enthusiast. Unlike traditional juniper heavy London Dry gins, Unruly Gin is a refreshingly alternative Canadian-style gin that has balanced and complimented its juniper with a hint of cedar and citrus, a dash of fragrant lavender and sarsaparilla root, and the vibrant notes of coriander.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Another “I can’t believe it” tasting, never done this from Wayward Distillery; pretty much done everything else from them. This gin was the first honey based gin in the province; fresh rain on concrete mineralety that still lets the floral honeysuckle shine through on the nose. Juniper comes in the form of pine and grapefruit peel with complex subtle botanicals below the high notes of juniper and honeysuckle. Do this in a Bees Knees, won’t disappoint.

Alcohol - 43% / 86 proof

Color - Clear

Nose - Fresh rain on warm concrete, honeysuckle and west coast juniper notes of pine and grapefruit

Taste - Creamy, honeysuckle and comb are the base of the rich bright juniper, complex but subtle botanicals that stick with you throughout

Finish - Aromatic botanicals, cut honeycomb and that rich mineral notes lingering

Best Enjoyed - Bee Knees for sure

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #220 - Arbutus Distillery Grand Visco

DISTILLERY NOTES

A Vancouver Island aromatic grape brandy aged lightly in ex bourbon barrels, Arbutus take on the classic piscos from South America

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Surprised that I haven’t done this before, the Arbutus Distillery Grand Visco is a lightly aged in ex bourbon barrels. Aromatic juiciness of pears and peaches with kisses of vanilla make this a great mixer for your classic style pisco sours.

Alcohol - 43% / 86 proof

Color - Light wheat gold

Nose - Definite aromatic grape on the nose, similar to a gewurztraminer with hints of vanilla and oak

Taste - Complex floral and fruit, grape leaf, lavender and violets, hints of oak and vanilla

Finish - Very aromatic finish, hints of floral but overall, rich grape notes

Best Enjoyed - Rock this out in a Pisco Sour

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #219 - Sons of Vancouver Barrel Aged Amaretto

DISTILLERY NOTES

A very special 2020 release. This individually numbered bottle of our classic Amaretto has spent 12 months aging in a line of used and unique barrels. This year’s selection includes 2Bar Bourbon barrels, Westland Single Malt Casks, and introducing a rare Hogshead Oloroso Sherry Barrel.

Added depth abound, with subtle Single Malt notes and a beautiful Sherry finish. The added whiskey balances the sweetness of the Amaretto making it perfect on ice. Enjoyed best in front of a fire.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Another amazing barrel aged amaretto from Sons of Vancouver. Just when you thought you didn’t need barrel aged amaretto, the lads hit it out of the park with this awesome expression. Aged for a year in ex 2 Bar Spirits bourbon and Westland Whisky Sherry casks, this match just amps up and marries so well with the vanilla, honey and apricot notes in the amaretto. Looking forward to creating a few cocktails with this.

Alcohol - 26% / 52 proof

Color - Deep brown copper edges

Nose - Hints of marzipan, apricots, the honey and then leaning into big sherry with vanilla oak

Taste - Starts as the classic amaretto from SOV with apricot, honey and vanilla then that sherry and bourbon just come through and give you another layer of flavor, layer upon layer

Finish - Long sherry balanced out with the classic SOV amaretto

Best Enjoyed - Elevated Amaretto Sour

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #218 - Odd Society Spirits Salal Gin Powell River

DISTILLERY NOTES

Salal Gin is Odd Society’s answer to British Sloe Gin. Since sloe berries aren’t native to Canada, we hit upon salal as our local equivalent. We had high hopes of releasing “vast” quantities this year but it was a dry season and salal berries and foragers were not plentiful. Luckily, Alexander McNaughton, a forager based in Tofino, was able to gather some for us, as well as Barbara, a resident of the Sunshine Coast.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

The first batch of this years Odd Society Spirits cult Salal Gin is made from Salal berries from Powell River. Earthy, almost umami notes balance out the strong black currants, Haskap, blueberry notes. I can’t wait to do a side by side taste of these three batches. A true expression and exploration of terroir this year.

Alcohol - 30% / 60 proof

Color - Deep purple

Nose - Blackcurrant, umami earthy notes and hints of blueberries and haskap

Taste - Bursts of blackcurrant, haskap and blueberries with a lingering savory earthiness that balances out the sweetness

Finish - Dry and tannic berry notes with that long earthy notes

Best Enjoyed - Try it in a gimlet

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #217 - Legend Distilling Espresso Martini

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Another addition to the Legend Distilling cocktail series, this blends their Shadow of the Lake Vodka and their Blasted Brew; 20%, not overly sweet and would be perfect shaken and strained, if you need a little bit more of a kick, throw a shot of espresso in there and you will be all set.

Alcohol - 20% / 40 proof

Color - Deep brown almost black

Nose - Heavy roasted coffee and hints of vanilla

Taste - Dry, off sweet, rich coffee flavor, almost chicory, hints of vanilla and a kiss of brown sugar sweetness

Finish - Mouth filling over roasted coffee, long and dry cacao

Best Enjoyed - Shake with ice and strain

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #216 - Wood's Spirit Co. Barrel Aged Amaro

DISTILLERY NOTES

Complex floral tones sit high on the nose. Perfumed with a complex spice blend drifting under these floral tones. Sweetness on the palate cut with bitterness is nice. Mouthfeel is pleasant. Very palatable and easy sipping. The bitterness could be brought forward a little more to accentuate the finish or boost a cocktail.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Wood’s Spirit Co. created their original Amaro during the great Campari shortage a few years ago, their barrel aged which is aged for 1 year in Woodland Distillery Barrels is a subtle addition to the flavors of the original, the sweetness is subdued and replaced with vanilla and a more deep tones from the aging. Must have for the bitters lovers.

Alcohol - 28% / 56 proof

Color - Light reddish orange

Nose - Astringent rhubarb, bright orange and hints of grapefruit pith

Taste - Rhubarb, grapefruit and piney citrus along with a big wallop of vanilla, like a amaro float

Finish - Not a lot of residual sweetness, bold fruit notes and that lingering vanilla

Best Enjoyed - Negroni variation all the way

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #215 - Mad Lab Spirits Smoked Old Fashioned

BC SPIRITS NOTES

Another great bottled cocktail from Mad Lab Spirits. This one is a smoked old fashioned for Whiskey Wizards. Classic Islay iodine on the nose but on the palate, it lengthens out with a great backbone, balanced sweetness and hints of campfire smoke in the finish. Pour on the rocks and support a good cause.

Alcohol - 30% / 60 proof

Color - Dark syrup brown

Nose - classic Islay iodine on the nose with hints of sweet grain in the background

Taste - Classic old fashioned profile with hints of iodiney smoke, long and lingering. Like drinking a classic by the fire pit in the backyard

Finish - Long and lingering, smoke with hints of bitter complexity and brown sugar sweetness

Best Enjoyed - On the rocks with a lemon twist

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BC Spirits "Spirits a Day" #214 - Odd Society Maple Whisky #3

DISTILLERY NOTES

Maple Whisky draws many of its unique flavours from the maple tree. Odd Society smokes its malted barley with maple wood and then ages the distilled spirit for a minimum of three years in oak casks that were previously used to age maple syrup. Robust, with a slight smoky aroma and a touch of silky maple sweetness, this whisky is warm and rich enough to carry one through a long, cold winter.

BC SPIRITS NOTES

The third batch of the Odd Society Maple Whisky, it may swing my opinion on maple. This batch has more subdued notes of smokes and melds the maple and smoke together perfectly with the whisky. Balanced dry maple, hints of fire place smoke and gorgeous back bone of their whisky. Get this limited edition.

Alcohol - 46% / 92 proof

Color - Deep almost brick brown

Nose - Deep maple and hints of smoke

Taste - More subtle nuances than the first batch, balanced smoke and maple with the malted barley. Hints of charcoal fire wood, sweet complex maple and that solid whisky backbone

Finish - The maple and smoke linger for a while and then you are left with dried stone fruit of the single malt

Best Enjoyed - 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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