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’s so much more to explore! Distilleries have been popping up in communities around B.C., bringing diversity to the local products gracing store shelves.
“Whiskies are one of the newest categories of alcohol to be produced in B.C., and growing quickly for a good reason. B.C.’s climate and terroir makes it an ideal region for producing and aging whisky,” says Ryan Hollaus, Liquor Operations Support Specialist at Angry Otter Liquor.
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, Shelter Point Single Malt Whisky offers balanced notes of fruits, honey, and a briny tinge of Vancouver Island’s 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’re on the open waters, Hollaus says.
Okanagan Spirits Raven Maize Bourbon-Style Whisky:
While not an official ‘bourbon’ since it’s made in B.C. and not the U.S., all other bourbon regulations are followed by Okanagan Spirits Raven Maize Bourbon-Style Whisky.
“It’s a true start-to-finish collaboration,” Hollaus says. “Having been produced with corn from Otter Co-op’s 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.”
Old Pulteney 12 Year Old Single Malt:
From the Speyside region of Scotland, Old Pulteney 12 Year Old offers a lighter expression and is aged in ex-bourbon casks, lending some additional sweetness to this whisky’s bright and fresh palate, along with Notes of citrus, pepper, and a sea-saltiness typical of maritime whiskies.
Looking for something a little different? “Angry Otter has an exclusive 18-year-old expression of Old Pulteney, released for our 100th year anniversary,” Hollaus says.
Jack Daniels Bonded 1938 Series:
“Whether you’re a whisky expert or just tend to dabble, everyone has tried Jack Daniels Old Number 7 – one of the most iconic whiskies on the market,” Hollaus says. “Two of Jack’s newest expressions, triple mash and bonded, are a nod to Jack’s 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.”
Read More: Angry Otter Liquor’s Kelli Meier shares her picks for B.C.’s top summer wines and cider
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