With more than 300 wineries and 200+ breweries across the province, B.C. is well known for its wine, cider and beer, but for distillery fans, there鈥檚 so much more to explore! Distilleries have been popping up in communities around B.C., bringing diversity to the local products gracing store shelves.
鈥淲hiskies are one of the newest categories of alcohol to be produced in B.C., and growing quickly for a good reason. B.C.鈥檚 climate and terroir makes it an ideal region for producing and aging whisky,鈥� says Ryan Hollaus, Liquor Operations Support Specialist at .
Hallaus shares his top picks for 2023 whiskies and what makes them stand out above the rest.
Shelter Point Single Malt Whisky:
Produced in Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, offers balanced notes of fruits, honey, and a briny tinge of Vancouver Island鈥檚 seaside air. Multi-award-winning and in the same vein as its single malt Scotch cousins, this whisky is sure to make you feel like you鈥檙e on the open waters, Hollaus says.
Okanagan Spirits Raven Maize Bourbon-Style Whisky:
While not an official 鈥榖ourbon鈥� since it鈥檚 made in B.C. and not the U.S., all other bourbon regulations are followed by .
鈥淚t鈥檚 a true start-to-finish collaboration,鈥� Hollaus says. 鈥淗aving been produced with corn from Otter Co-op鈥檚 feed department and released as one of our 100-year anniversary exclusives, this cask-strength whisky features a soft chocolatey malt with notes of toffee and toasted oak and is still available at 20 Co-op locations.鈥�
Old Pulteney 12 Year Old Single Malt:
From the Speyside region of Scotland, offers a lighter expression and is aged in ex-bourbon casks, lending some additional sweetness to this whisky鈥檚 bright and fresh palate, along with Notes of citrus, pepper, and a sea-saltiness typical of maritime whiskies.
Looking for something a little different? 鈥淎ngry Otter has an exclusive 18-year-old expression of Old Pulteney, released for our 100th year anniversary,鈥� Hollaus says.
Jack Daniels Bonded 1938 Series:
鈥淲hether you鈥檙e a whisky expert or just tend to dabble, everyone has tried Old Number 7 鈥� one of the most iconic whiskies on the market,鈥� Hollaus says. 鈥淭wo of Jack鈥檚 newest expressions, triple mash and bonded, are a nod to Jack鈥檚 rich heritage and the bottled in bond act of 1897. The bonded is a beautiful take on the familiar Old Number 7 recipe, sure to impress novice and expert alike.鈥�
Read More: Angry Otter Liquor鈥檚 Kelli Meier shares her picks for B.C.鈥檚 top summer wines and cider
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