Now in its seventh year, the national spirits competition announces the 2023 winners from 23 different categories
Vancouver, BC (February 15, 2023): For the first time in its seven-year history, Artisan Distillers Canada awarded top honours for its Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition to a distillery from Atlantic Canada.
With the highest score of any entry in all 20 spirit classes, New Brunswick's Distillerie Fils du Roy earned Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year, the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition’s top overall prize, for its Fort Beauséjour Peated Single Malt Whiskey.
“Distillerie Fils du Roy is well-known regionally for producing high-quality spirits, so it’s no surprise to see them produce our top-scoring spirit with their Fort Beauséjour Peated Single Malt Whisky,” said ADC’s founder, Alex Hamer. “We’re thrilled that our eastern artisan distilleries are receiving some well-deserved praise.”
The competition, referred to in the artisan spirits world as 'CASC', is comprised of a national, independent panel of 14 judges who evaluate hundreds of entries submitted from nearly 80 artisan distilleries from across Canada across a number of criteria.
For the award-winning whisky, judges’ notes mentioned, "smoke, apple, and juicy citrus on the palate with some creamy vanilla on the mid-palate," and a finish that is "quite peppery and lively.” Hamer noted that the judges also seemed to appreciate its texture, which was deemed, "lush and velvety with a mellow warmth," and a smokey taste that, "dominates the finish with clove and cinnamon, and dried fruit appearing just before it fades away.”
Another notable win was DEVINE Spirits Ancient Grains, which has won CASC Gold Medals and Best in Class (Young Whisky) consecutively from 2019 to 2023, as well as Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year in 2022. Along with their recent Canadian Whisky Awards gold medal and award as Whisky Spirit of the Year, Ancient Grains is 2023's most awarded artisan spirit in the country.
In addition to awarding Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals to qualifying spirits, the competition includes classes for:
Branding
Bitters
Zero-Proof Spirits
Bottled Cocktails
Medals with Distinction are awarded to those spirits or bitters that have met or exceeded their standing from the previous year. The Terroir honour recognizes distilleries whose use of local ingredients is reflected in the character of their spirits.
Distilleries from across the country distinguished themselves in this year’s competition, with Best in Class honours being awarded to spirits produced in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Best in Class – Canada’s Best Artisan Spirits
100% Rye Whisky: Last Mountain Distillery (SK) – LMD Release no.0001. 3 Wood Rye
Absinthe: Strathcona Spirits Distillery (AB) – Absinthe Blanche Qualité Supérieure
Aged Gin: Distillerie des Marigots (QC) – Récif Vieilli
Alternative Rum: DEVINE Distillery (BC) – Black Bear Spiced Honey Shine
Amaro or Vermouth: Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery (BC) – Amaro Classico
Brandy: La Miellerie King - distillerie et hydromellerie (QC) – Ruchette
Classic Gin: Fernie Distillers Inc. (BC) – Forager Spruce Tip Gin
Classic Vodka: Tumbleweed Spirits (BC) – Tumbleweed Vodka
Contemporary Gin: Wild Life Distillery (AB) – Classic Gin
Contemporary Vodka: Stillhead Distillery Inc. (BC) – Van Isle Vodka
Eau de Vie: Intermiel (QC) – O Signé Macle - Pomme/Apple
Flavoured Gin: Dunrobin Distilleries Corporation (ON) – Earl Grey Gin
Fruit Liqueur: Alchemist Distiller, Inc. (BC) – Nectar - Apple Liqueur -
Infused or Flavoured Vodka: Capital K Distillery Inc. (MB) – Capital K Baltic Bros Bomba Honeyberry Vodka
Liqueur: The Woods Spirit Co (BC) – Nocino
Single Grain Whisky: Monashee Spirits Craft Distillery (BC) – Triticale Whisky
Single Malt Whisky: Distillerie Fils du Roy Inc (NB) – Beauséjour
Traditional Rum: Barrelling Tide Distillery (NS) – 5 Fathom Dark Rum
White Spirit: Wynndel Craft Distilleries (BC) – Copperhead Shine
Young Whisky: DEVINE Distillery (BC) – Ancient Grains
Bottled Cocktails: Okanagan Spirits (BC) – The Orchard Negroni
Bitters: Free Pour Jenny's (YK) – Rhubarb Bitters
ABOUT THE CANADIAN ARTISAN SPIRIT COMPETITION and ARTISAN DISTILLERS CANADA
Artisan Distillers Canada is a national organization focused on celebrating and highlighting artisan distilleries and spirits across Canada. The annual Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition was founded in 2017 to recognize the best of Canadian artisan distilling. Distilleries must meet ADC qualifications (view here) to participate in the competition.