Shelter Point Distillery produces single malt and other whiskies from grain it grows on one of Vancouver Island’s few remaining seaside farms. Those fields of grain mature just steps from two kilometers of Salish Sea beach, and the salty aromatherapy it brings on each sea breeze.
Read MoreShelter Point’s Barrel of Sunshine fairly bursts with honey, maple, mandarin orange and sweet vanilla. Maple sugar candy and a restrained spiciness lead to a warm glow on the finish as the maple notes surge to the fore, along with juicy canned Mandarin oranges and a lovely hot peppery zip. You don’t have to live in paradise to make a great whisky liqueur, but if you want to capture sunshine in a bottle, it certainly does help.
Read MoreFrom Stillhead Distillery, on the southern outskirts of Duncan, BC, comes a richly fruity gin unlike any other. Although this region is not exactly wilderness, The Island is wild, rugged country, where even city folk live pretty close to the land and its wildlife. So, it makes sense that the main component of this gin is wild blackberries harvested locally by hand.
Read MoreLuckily for the spirits lover on your list, Canadian distilleries make brilliant absinthe that combines French tradition with local colour. This season, leave the French hens at the farm and give the gift of Canadian absinthe.
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