The High Commission of Canada in the UK will host its first-ever dedicated spirits tasting on 3 March. The event, which takes place at Canada House, brings together spirits producers from across the country, with a focus on engaging the UK bar trade.
The Canadian Spirits Showcase marks the first time spirits have been given their own platform outside of the High Commission’s established annual wine tasting. The drop-in tasting offers bartenders, buyers and drinks professionals an opportunity to explore the depth and diversity of Canada’s distilling sector.
Producers from seven provinces and territories will be in attendance, including from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and the Yukon.
The tasting will feature a broad range of spirits made using Canadian world-class barley, rye and wheat, alongside fruit, flowers, berries and botanicals. Farm-to-glass gin, vodka and whisky will sit alongside distinctive local expressions that reflect the country’s fields, forests and seas. The tasting brings together craft distilleries, large and small, some of whom have representation in the UK, along with a raft of exciting producers that are seeking representation. (Full list of producers in attendance below.)
Canada’s distilling heritage predates the founding of the country, beginning with rum production in Atlantic Canada and New France. As the country expanded westward to the Pacific, whisky and other grain-based spirits took root in Ontario and the Prairies. While today’s craft distilling industry is comparatively young, it has grown exponentially over the recent decades with more than 300 craft distillers now operating across the country.
Emma Finn, Trade Commissioner at the High Commission of Canada in the UK, said: “There are some incredible spirits coming out of Canada – the breadth of regions and products really demonstrate the quality and versatility that makes Canada such an exciting spirits-producing nation. We’re thrilled to be able to put this on show for the first time in its own dedicated, deserved, space.
“Canada has become known for wine, beyond Icewine, and we want the UK to discover the sheer variety and innovation that can be found in the exciting spirits on offer.”
The Canadian Spirits Showcase takes place from 11am to 5pm on Tuesday 3 March at Canada House. Registration is essential.
To register interest email here.
Producers:
Alberta:
• Anohka Distillery: Whisky, Heavily Peated Single Malt Spirit, Cream Liqueur
• Eau Claire Distillery: Whisky, Gin
British Columbia
• Copperpenny Distilling Company: Gin, Vodka
Nova Scotia
• Red Bank Whisky: Whisky
Ontario
• Dixon’s Distilled Spirits: Gin, Vodka,
• Dunrobin Distilleries: Whisky, Vodka, Gin
• Foxglove Spirits : Gin
• Top Shelf Distillers: Vodka, Whisky, Gin, Moonshine, Whisky Cream
Quebec
• 1769 Distillery: Gin, Vodka
• Distillerie du Fjord: Gin, Rum, Margarita, Espresso Martini, Negroni
• Distillery Mariana: Whisky, Amaretto, Rum, Cream Liqueur, Gin
• Distillerie de Montreal: Rum, Whisky, Gin, Vodka
Saskatchewan
• Black Fox Farm and Distillery: Whisky, Gin
The Yukon
• Two Brewers Whisky Distillery: Whisky