Crafting unique spirits on Vancouver Island.
Best Coast Distillers, located right here in North Saanich, is the only distillery in their hometown and as a neighbour, a welcome addition at The Liquor Co. 1977. Their innovative spirits and deep local roots make them a natural fit with our values and community. Join us in celebrating their unique flavours and the new adventures they bring to our local craft scene.
Meet Corey Wood, co-owner of Best Coast Distillers, as he discusses the unique approach of North Saanich only distillery:
1) Tell us about Best Coast. What inspired the creation of your distillery?
It was the convergence of five generations of Hastings family farming history on the property, a mutual love of BBQ and social gatherings, and a drive to try something that would take us all in a direction we would only have dreamed of in the past. Literally over drinks in the backyard during COVID, asking ‘What can we do differently after Covid?
2) Can you share a memorable moment from your journey in crafting spirits?
I think for us one of the best moments was when we were experimenting with Agave to create a Tequila style base alcohol from our Blue Agave crop. When we tasted one of the many recipe iterations, looked at each other and just couldn’t stop smiling! It tasted like Tequila! We realized we could do things differently from how others may have done it in the past. We found a path forward into uncharted territory and we liked being in the moment. I think we now seek those paths for future curations.
3) Cold Brew Coffee Whisky is quite distinctive. Can you walk us through how this product was developed?
Knowing we had a young whisky, we wanted to bring a flavour to it that would complement the acids in the coffee and the alcohol-forward nature of a wheat-based whisky. We worked very closely with the team at Level Ground Coffee in Keating to create a custom blend of Andean and Colombian beans that we feel enables the balance we were looking for. We purposefully use premium coffee beans, and high-quality Vanilla beans to ensure the flavours come through. We created a versatile spirit whether for cocktails or simply enjoyed over ice.
4) What are some unique ways to enjoy your Cold Brew Coffee Whisky?
Of course, being on the Island and near Victoria, the Shaft is a natural cocktail. There are many variations to try which admittedly we have been doing lots of! Many local bartenders are working on simple and complex cocktails which we will be sharing on our website and social media posts as they come forward. The QR code on our bottle will take you to the recipe page soon for a quick reference and how-to guide.
5) Looking ahead, what exciting things can customers expect from Best Coast?
We’re excited about our ‘Best Coast Show Off’ campaign. It’s a way for our customers to get involved by sending us their photos taken on beaches, boats, or doing anything fun near the coast. We might even feature these photos on our bottle labels, giving credit to those who captured them. It’s all about celebrating and promoting the Island lifestyle!
We’re also launching two groundbreaking products that are firsts in Canada. Our ‘Agricole Rum’ is crafted from three harvests of Sorghum Cane on our property, produced in the traditional French Martinique style. And our ‘Agav’eh Spirit,’ made from Blue Agave, is similar to a Tequila Reposado. With the warm Mediterranean micro-climate we have on the Island, we’re able to create these unique spirits right here in Canada.
Stop by The Liquor Co. 1977 and grab a few bottles of Best Coast Distillers to explore their distinctive flavours!