The 7th annual BC Distilled festival – the largest craft spirits event in Canada – took place Saturday, April 9, in Vancouver. Among the nearly 150 spirits that were available to try, attendees have now declared their favourites across 12 categories.
Attendees have also chosen the BC Distilled “Distillery of the Year,” and this year the honour goes to Fernie Distillers. This was Fernie Distillers’ first time at BC Distilled.
“With so much time passing since our last show (the 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to the pandemic), spirits fans had a tremendous number of new offerings to sample, and we have seen many great new products claim Audience Favourite awards this year,” says Alex Hamer, founder of BC Distilled. “Over the past three years, our distilleries have continued their steady progress in releasing a huge variety of outstanding spirits. They have a lot to show for themselves since 2019.”
Prior to the main festival, BC Distilled hosted two additional sold-out events: a BC Whisky Tasting, hosted by Davin de Kergommeaux at Copperpenny Distilling in North Vancouver, and the 4th annual Distillers Dinner at Forage Restaurant in Vancouver.
Plus, to everyone’s delight, the real stars of BC Distilled also returned, as Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) made their first in-person appearance at an event since the pandemic started. In addition to the faithful canine companions wandering the premises and greeting people, attendees also had the opportunity to interact with the dogs in the event’s “puppy lounge.” Through a silent auction, 50/50 draws, and a portion of ticket sales, PADS raised $5,500.
2022 Audience Favourite Awards:
Amaro or Vermouth: The Woods Spirit Co. – Amaro Chiaro
Barrel-Aged Gin: Odd Society Spirits – Wallflower Oaken Gin
Flavoured Gin: Wayward Distillery – Raspberry Gin Liqueur
Fruit Liqueur: Odd Society Spirits – Creme de Cassis
Gin: Ampersand Distilling Company – Ampersand Gin
Infused or Flavoured Vodka: Arbutus Distillery – Hibiscus Vodka
Liqueur: Bruinwood Estate Distillery – Spirited Horchata
Rare & Fine Other Spirits: Alchemist Distiller – Green Frog – Absynthe (Absinthe)
Vodka: Wayward Distillery – Unruly Vodka
Whisky: Shelter Point Distillery – Ripple Rock
White Spirit: Stillhead Distillery Inc. – Stillhead Distillery – Blackberry Rye’Shine
Young Whisky: DEVINE Distillery – Ancient Grains Quarter Cask
