Comox-based Shelter Point Distillery is about to make its first batch of what will one day be one of B.C.’s first single-malt whiskies made in the Scottish tradition.
The pending production is a sign of a small boom in the local artisan whisky business.
Principal Jay Oddliefson wanted to be the first in the province to make such an artisan whisky a few years ago when he turned the sod to create his $2 million distillery.
He told Business in Vancouver last week that he will distill a spirit this spring that, once aged the required minimum three years, can legally be called whisky.
However, Pemberton Distillery principal Tyler Schramm told Business in Vancouver last week that his two-year-old venture produced such a spirit in September that is aging in five casks for potential release in 2013.
Pemberton generated $35,000 in revenue in 2009 – its inaugural year. That grew to $130,000 in 2010.
“We’re on track for $180,000 this year,” said Shramm, whose venture cost about $750,000 to launch. “We might even hit $200,000.”
His biggest selling product so far is his Schramm Vodka. He produced about 13,000 bottles of that last year.
“We’ve also added new products recently. In February, we launched our Schramm gin, which is the newest product in our line-up.”
Other artisan B.C. distilleries include Okanagan Spirits, Victoria Spirits and Island Spirits.
Glen Korstrom
Twitter: @GlenKorstrom