November News & Openings


  • The Our Whisky Foundation released the results of its first survey, on the barriers holding back women in the industry.

  • The Northern View reported that an application by Port City Spirits to open a distillery tasting room and lounge was approved by City Council in Prince Rupert, B.C., this past June.

  • Okanagan Edge reported this past summer that Wildflower Distilling Co. was set to open in the previous location of Old Older Distillery in Penticton, B.C.

  • A century-old former power substation in Calgary’s Highfield neighbourhood is set to become a distillery called True Wild, which plans to open in 2024 with an event space and restaurants along with a distillery and tasting room, CTV Calgary reported.

  • Smooth 42 Craft Distillery won a Corporate Vision Canadian Business Award for Best Craft Liquor Distillery 2023 – Saskatchewan.

  • Moose Jaw Today wrote about local beverage alcohol producers, including Honey Pot Distillery, which opened in December 2022; and Luby Bower Distillery, opened in March 2023.

  • Manitoba Co-Operator reported on how craft spirits producers, including Capital K Distillery, operated during this past August’s Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries strike.

  • Bevnet reported that Alliston, Ontario-based Beattie’s Distillers has added significant distribution in the U.S. for its flavoured vodkas.

  • Prince Edward County’s new Wild Lot Farm Distillery, on a former dairy farm, was profiled in Toronto Life.

  • The Sarnia Observer reported that Spirits Canada was advocating for Ontario-made artisan spirits to be sold in grocery stores alongside wine and beer.

  • Sarnia This Week reported on concerns about the so-called “whisky fungus” that could affect St. Clair Township in the years after a massive, proposed $245-million Diageo distillery starts operating there. A high-profile New York Times story earlier this year drew attention to a lawsuit resulting from longtime problems with the fungus in Lynchburg, Tennessee, where the  Jack Daniel’s distillery is located.

  • The Newfoundland Distillery Company in Clark’s Beach was one of three provincial recipients to share an $87,000 government investment into tourism businesses, reported Saltwire.

  • A Seven Fifty Daily article offered pro tips on developing a successful non-alcoholic beverage program, from cocktail creation to staff training. Another considered whether sustainability concerns will make packaging (like boxes and tubes) obsolete in whisky marketing.

  • An article on Barleycorn Drinks noted the new cold-smoked barrel trend for American bourbon whiskey. The method involves exposing barrel staves to peat, hardwood and other smoke to create barrels that influence whiskey flavour.

  • VinePair reported on premium flavoured whiskey and regional peated whiskies from beyond Scotland.