BC Distilled: 10 Very Spirited Reasons to Go

By |2023-07-29T09:18:12-07:00May 6th, 2023|Craft Distilleries, Latest Posts, Spirits|

  Updated, May 17, 2023 BC Distilled 2023 Audience Favourites Awards: Absinthe: Tofino Distillery – Psychedelic Jellyfish Absinthe Amaro or Vermouth: The Woods Spirit Co. – Barrel aged Amaro Barrel-Aged Gin: Stillhead Distillery – Islay Cask Gin Brandy or Eau-de-Vie: Maple Leaf Spirits – Lady of the Cask Flavoured Gin: [...]

Bagheera: When all is not as first appears

By |2023-02-12T12:04:51-08:00February 12th, 2023|Cocktails, Craft Distilleries, Latest Posts, Spirits|

Bagheera, you may recall, is the sleek, black panther in Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. In this decidedly post-Colonial era I was intrigued to see the name resurface—as the moniker of Vancouver’s newest hidden cocktail lounge. As it turns out, however, Bagheera comes by its handle honestly. Owners and cocktail [...]

Bearface Wilderness 01 Takes Foraging to Thrilling New Heights

By |2022-06-30T14:49:13-07:00May 9th, 2022|Spirits|

Bearface aside, I’ve never been particularly crazy about Canadian whisky. Maybe it has something to do with my upbringing. You’re more likely to catch me nosing a Islay single malt or even a drop of Irish. My main encounter with Cdn, whisky was at long vanished, still missed Vong’s Kitchen. There, back in the 90s, [...]

Vancouver Cocktail Week Gives Covid the Boot

By |2022-06-30T14:29:05-07:00March 16th, 2022|Cocktails, Spirits|

Vancouver Cocktail Week Gives Covid the Boot… Well, it certainly feels that way. The inaugural Vancouver Cocktail Week did that and then some. And achieved it with just as much substance as style.  The program of happy hours, tastings and seminars was originally scheduled for early 2020. But we all know what happened then. And [...]

21 Reasons to Read ‘The Distilleries of Vancouver Island’

By |2022-06-30T14:30:37-07:00December 3rd, 2021|book reviews, Cocktails, Craft Distilleries, Spirits|

appeals to casual tipplers and serious spirit hounds alike. It’s as much about the distilleries and what’s in the glass... as the people who make it happen.

6 Proper Drops to Amuse (Even) Queen Victoria

By |2023-08-03T14:21:29-07:00May 24th, 2021|Latest Posts, Spirits, Wine|

Victoria Day … Growing up in the United Kingdom (are we still allowed to call it that?) I never really understood why ‘stat’ holidays were called ‘Bank’ holidays. Other than the banks (with their already ludicrous ‘bankers’ hours’) were closed all day. Not to say that Victoria Day makes any [...]

Sheringham Wins World’s Best Contemporary Gin

By |2021-07-08T18:48:59-07:00February 24th, 2019|Spirits, Craft Distilleries, Latest Posts|

I’ve been following the adventures of Sooke’s Sheringham Gin almost since Day One. So I’m beyond thrilled to hear their Seaside Gin won ‘Best Contemporary Gin in the World’ at the World Gin Awards.  I’m especially delighted for Sheringham, in that they embody so much of what it takes to succeed as a small, remote [...]

Chowder Chowdown: A Chance to Channel Ocean Wise

By |2023-05-09T09:11:08-07:00February 23rd, 2019|Beer, Dining, Latest Posts, Ocean Wise, Spirits, Wine|

Why would over 200 people patiently line up outside the Vancouver Aquarium on a near freezing winter's night? To taste chowder. That's why. And not just any chowder but 14, truly unique, BC recipes. And all OceanWise at that. Thursday night's 2019 Chowder Chowdown, as usual, was an unqualified success. Fourteen leading restaurants, resorts and [...]

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