South Island distilleries take home Canadian Whisky Awards

Greater Victoria is a hub for exceptional craft beverages, and while the craft scene may be most commonly associated with beers and ciders, there are also many distilleries across the South Island that are making waves both locally and nationally. 

This was proven at the Canadian Whisky Awards, hosted in Victoria last weekend as a part of the Victoria Whisky Festival, where a number of local distillers took home top prizes and medals against stiff competition from across the country. 

With a focus on locally sourced ingredients and a passion for the craft of whisky production, these are the winning distilleries to keep an eye on. 

DEVINE Distillery

DEVINE Distillery in Saanichton strives to make sustainable and environmentally responsible craft spirits using ingredients sourced from farms and growers on the Saanich Peninsula. The distillery took home the award for Whisky Spirit of the Year for its Ancient Grains ‘Young Whisky,’ an alternative whisky that is aged in American Oak quarter casks for one year rather than the Canadian three year minimum standard, allowing for a balanced flavour profile. This is the fifth time in six years that the spirit has won this award. This young whisky, that has notes of macadamia nuts, candied fruit, and cloves, also took home a silver medal. 

The distillery earned a second silver medal for its Glen Saanich Single Malt Cask #32, which is made with barley grown on the peninsula. The distillery also earned three bronze medals for its Ancient Grains 5-Grain Whisky, its Glen Saanich Single Malt, and its Einkorn Whisky. DEVINE Distillery’s whiskies are available at its distillery in Saanichton and at select liquor stores across the city.   

Address: 6181B Old West Saanich Rd., Saanichton 
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm

Stillhead Distillery

Stillhead Distillery in Duncan makes small batch spirits that strive to be innovative and expressive, showcasing ingredients grown on the Island. The distillery took home both the Best Cask Strength Whisky and the Best Single Barrel Release awards for its Iberian Cascadian PX Sherry Rye, a limited release for The Strath’s 20th anniversary. This sweet and spicy young rye, that was finished in a Pedro Ximénez cask, also earned a gold medal.

The distillery took home an additional four bronze medals for its B-Work Cask Strength Bourbon Style Whisky, its Double Oak Rye, its Cask Strength Single Cask #10, and its Cask Strength Single Cask (Islay Cask Finish). Stillhead Distillery’s whiskies are available at its distillery in Duncan and at select liquor stores across the city. The Iberian Cascadian PX Sherry Rye is available exclusively at The Strath.

Address: 5301 Chaster Rd. #105, Duncan
Hours: Monday-Thursday, noon-4pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am-5pm

Macaloney’s Island Distillery 

Macaloney's Island Distillery uses traditional Scottish techniques to create single malt whiskies made with Canadian barley. The distillery earned a gold medal for its Peat Project 54 ppm, a peated single malt whisky made with Washington peat that is smooth and fruity with a dry finish of smoke and salt. Macaloney’s Island Distillery’s whiskies are available at its distillery and at select liquor stores across the city.  

Address: 761 Enterprise Cres., Victoria
Hours: Saturday-Thursday, noon-6:30pm; Friday, 11am-8:30pm