Gift local for your holiday spirits
Support of Ontario’s craft distilleries seen as more vital now than ever
It’s official: There’s no need to line-up to shop for the cocktail and spirits lovers on your list this year.
Why not? First, most Ontario craft distilleries deliver right to your door, which, let’s face it, is about as convenient as it gets. Plus, the case for craft has never been easier to make. We need to support local independents now more than ever, since small businesses have taken a COVID-related hit this year. Add to this, the fact that all of the craft distilleries featured below switched over to making hand sanitizer in the spring, so they’re also local heroes.
When you gift craft, you aren’t only buying into the local economy, you’re also introducing someone to a vibrant scene — one that happens to be making some of the most creative and exciting new expressions we’re aware of. While once known for gin, vodka and laying down whisky, over the past few years, they’ve branched out and started to distill world-class amaros, aquavit, bitters and infusions from local Ontario bounty.
Here are a few of our favourite local liquors — each one a unique and thoughtful gift for the spirit lover on your list.
We didn’t know the world needed a gingerbread spirit until the guys at Willibald Farm Distillery and Brewery in Ayr, Ont., told us about their new expression, Gingerbread Gin,
a seasonal release. Sort of like their flagship barrel-aged gin, this is a warm, spicy, dark spirit that straddles the border between gin, whisky and liqueur and is meant to be enjoyed on the rocks. ($22.08; 375 mL)
Everybody talks a lot about “hygge” — the Scandinavian joy of hibernation — but often forget to mention that a key part of the tradition is aquavit — similar to gin, but flavoured with caraway instead of juniper. Aquavit is generally kept in the freezer and served ice cold with charcuterie and cheese but a bottle of Spirit of York Aquavit would also make a great gift for the brunch drinker in your life, since this world-class aquavit makes a brilliant Bloody Caesar. ($44.95; 750 mL)
While you’re picking up your aquavit, definitely grab a bottle or two of Spirit of York Cranberry Vodka, a wildly popular seasonal release that sells out every year at the Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery District, which, sadly, is cancelled this year. The distillery is still open, though, so they still made plenty of this sweettart treat, with a fun pink hue that will make your Cosmos a little more exciting this holiday. ($29.95; 500 mL)
For our last white spirit, we’re going with Woodland’s Whisper Pine Vodka from Kinsip House of Fine Spirits in Prince Edward County, which is made by distilling wheat and actual pine needles. Ridiculously seasonal and refreshing, this is the perfect present for anyone on your list with an adventurous palate. And, come to think of it, that person might also appreciate a bottle of Kinsip’s Chili Espresso Bitters for their home bar, too. ($48.30 for the Pine Vodka; 750 mL; $14.95 for the bitters)
A lot of maple whisky is a blend of syrup and spirit (not that there’s anything wrong with that), which isn’t the case when it comes to Kinsip’s Maple Whisky, which is dry and tastes like a proper Canadian whisky with strong and lovely maple notes, that come from having been aged in ex-maple syrup barrels. This would be a great way to introduce someone to whisky or surprise someone who thinks they’ve tried it all. ($33.25; 375 mL)
Speaking of whisky, one of Niagara’s most acclaimed wineries just launched its first — Tawse Canadian Whisky.
That’s not quite as surprising as
it sounds, since the winery added a micro-distillery to its facility a few years ago, largely to make “pressatura,” Canada’s answer to single-varietal Italian grappa.
Its newest spirit has been aged three years in American oak and an additional 15 months in the winery’s Pinot Noir barrels. ($40.15; 750 mL)
Down the road from Tawse, over in Beamsville, Dillon’s Small Batch Distills recently launched a Black Walnut Amaro, an exciting new bitter
liqueur made from local black walnuts. Makes a perfect gift for the foodie on your list, who loves to make elaborate dinners and serve trendy digestivos after. ($50; 750 mL)
While you’re on the Dillon’s website, have a look at the “Here and There” series, which features two rums — an eightyear-old and an 18-year-old — sourced in Cuba and aged in Niagara. Ron Vigia is a great project, since there’s precious little rum in Ontario, given that we don’t grow sugar cane here. Plus, it comes in an impossibly charming little bottle. ($50 for Ron Vigia 8; $100 for the 18year-old; 750 mL)
We love the creative spirit at Almonte’s Dairy Distillery, which makes vodka from “milk permeate” (waste from the dairy industry) — and is a leader
in the zero-waste spirits movement. This year, Dairy added a new product to its roster — Vodkow Cream, a sweet alternative to Irish Cream that, like its vodka, comes in adorable vessels inspired by old-time glass milk bottles. A great gift for eco-conscious folks in the fam. ($29.95; 750 mL)
For the ready-to-drink cocktail lover in your life, blow their minds with Bar Chef Project Late Harvest Vesper ($24.73 + tax; 375 mL), a serious upgrade to any canned or bottled cocktails we’ve ever tried.
And, when it comes to stocking stuffers, there are plenty of essential cocktail modifiers also made by local craft producers, such as Kvas Fine Beverage Co., a Niagara region independent syrup and garnish company that makes unbeatable Black
Pepper Whisky Cherries
from local fruit and a phenomenal Northern Maple Old Fashioned Simple Syrup, ideal for friends with fancy tastes and busy schedules. ($23 for 12 oz jar of cocktail cherries; $18 for 12-oz bottle of syrup)
When you gift craft, you aren’t only buying into the local economy, you’re also introducing someone to a vibrant scene