Best Distilleries in Vancouver
Exploring Vancouver usually means checking off the big sights—Stanley Park, Granville Island, or the mountain views. But for a taste of the city’s culture you can literally bring home in a bottle, look to its growing network of craft distilleries. From sleek tasting rooms to cozy neighborhood spaces, these spots are redefining what it means to drink local. Touring them offers not just a sip of something new, but a chance to experience the creativity and character that make Vancouver unique.
While the city is already known for its thriving craft beer culture, distilleries here have carved out their own niche, producing everything from smooth gins and whiskies to inventive liqueurs you won’t find anywhere else.
Many distillers use regional ingredients — like B.C. grains, foraged botanicals, or even local honey to give their spirits a distinctly West Coast character. The result is a range of flavors that feel rooted in the place, offering a taste of Vancouver in every pour.
Beyond the drinks themselves, visiting these distilleries is a chance to meet the makers, hear their stories, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the craft. Some spots feel like cozy neighborhood hangouts, while others lean into sleek, modern tasting rooms—but all of them share a passion for creating high-quality spirits.
Whether you’re looking to plan a tasting tour with friends, bring home a bottle you can’t find in stores, or simply experience another side of Vancouver’s food and drink culture, the city’s distilleries are well worth exploring.
In this article:
Best Distilleries in Vancouver
Mainland Whisky
Whether you're interested in innovative spirit-making or simply love discovering what’s local, Mainland Whisky in South Surrey takes top spot on our list of the best distilleries in Vancouver. What began in 2019 as a Surreys first craft distillery has grown to include a relaxed tasting lounge producing distinctive American-style whiskies, RTD whisky cocktails, and liqueurs you won’t find anywhere else. In the lounge you can taste of any of their spirits, or a house made craft cocktail while enjoying a light snack.
Owner and head distiller, Steve Watts embraces what he learned about distilling while living in Texas, using organic B.C. corn and malted barley, to produce a smooth sweet American-style whisky using natural BC ingredients. All mashing, fermentation, distillation, and bottling are done on site.
They have won the Resilience in Business award from the Surrey Board of Trade, and the New Business of the Year award from the South Surrey/White Rock Chamber of Commerce.
Spirits
American style whiskies are at the forefront of everything Mainland Whisky produces, and are the base for their RTDs and liqueurs.
Here’s a list of some of their products:
- Whisky
- Canadian Whisky
- Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
- Barrel Strength Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
- Sour Mash Whisky
- Ginsky – Gin Flavoured Whisky
- RTDs
- Classic Old fashioned
- Cherry Old Fashioned
- Coffee Old fashioned
- Jasmine New Fashioned
- Praline Liqueur
Purchase online or at the distillery.
Experiences
There’s lots going on here from tours and tastings to live music, cocktail classes, games nights, Star Wars nights, and more. You’ll need to visit the website regularly to see what’s coming up because the schedule is always changing with different events coming and going.
The Takeaway
Craft whisky, house made cocktails, and a fun vibrant atmosphere make Mainland Whisky our top pick on this curated list of the best distilleries in Vancouver.
Sons of Vancouver Distillery
Situated on North Vancouver’s scenic North Shore, Sons of Vancouver (SoV) Distillery is where bold rye whiskies and playful spirits with a local twist come to life. Established in 2015, this small-batch distillery sprang from a shared passion for craft spirits and quickly became known for its fan-favorite No. 82 Amaretto and, more recently, its award-winning rye whiskies.
SoV released their first rye whisky in 2021, and in 2023, they became the first craft micro-distillery to win Canadian Whisky of the Year at the Canadian Whisky Awards. Each batch is unique, and they often release their whiskies at full strength.
Rye is a versatile grain, and by specializing in high rye whisky, with a variety of blends and cask finishes, SoV has been able to offer something truly unique, and further their goal of elevating the reputation of Canadian whisky.
Spirits
SoV offers a wide range of spirits from gin, vodka, liqueurs and of course, rye whisky.
- Rye Whisky
- Gin
- Vodka
- Liqueurs
Special Release Whiskies
Their special release whiskies sell out almost immediately so you need to be on their mailing list if you hope to get a bottle. Past releases have rather fun, fitting, descriptive names, with the past 14 special releases listed below:
- Cigarettes on a Leather Jacket
- Marshmallows over a Campfire
- Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze (release #3 and #5)
- Summer Road Trip Across the Midwest
- Desert Grass and Blue Agave
- Raiding Nonna’s Liquor Cabinet
- Homemade Apricot Upsidedown Cake
- Rolling Hills in the Morning Mist
- Palm Trees and a Tropical Storm
- Sipping Sherry at the Jazz Club
- Last Call at the Dive Bar
- The First Crack of a Crème Brûlée
- A Morning Smoke and Jammy Toast
Experiences
Visit the distillery where you can taste any of their products, enjoy a craft cocktail, and take home your favourite bottle.
The Takeaway
SoV is crafting some unique rye whiskies that are definitely worth your time. Sample their wheated rye whisky (their special release whiskies usually sell out within 24 hours) or a delicious craft cocktail. Be sure to check them out if you’re in the Vancouver area.
The Woods Spirit Co.
This next distillery is also located in North Vancouver. The Woods Spirit Co. offers a unique blend of Italian-inspired liqueurs and innovative distillation techniques. Established with a commitment to sustainability, the distillery crafts spirits using vacuum distillation, preserving the delicate flavors of botanicals like wormwood and juniper. This method results in spirits that are both delicate and flavorful, capturing nature in every sip.
The Woods is dedicated to sourcing as many raw ingredients from the local area as possible in order to capture the essence of the BC coast. They promote inclusivity, and use sustainable distillation techniques wherever possible to reduce their environmental footprint. Their tasting room is a local gathering place where all are welcome to come together and celebrate local BC craft spirits.
Spirits
The Woods product lineup includes award-winning liqueurs such as Amaro Chiaro, Barrel-Aged Nocino, and Limoncello, each offering a distinct taste experience. Their spirit lineup include:
- Vodka
- Gin
- Liqueurs
- Amaro
- Arancello
- Nocino
- Limoncello
- Cocktail Kits
Experiences
The distillery also features a cocktail lounge, "Bar in The Woods," where guests can enjoy handcrafted cocktails in a cozy setting. Additionally, they offer cocktail workshops and distillery tours, providing an immersive experience into the art of spirit-making.
Distillery Tours and Tastings
A 45 minute tour of the distillery where you will peek behind the curtain to see how the vacuum distillation process is used to craft The Woods spirits, and get a sneak peek at what’s coming soon.
Friday’s at 4 pm.
Cocktail Workshop
Learn to craft 3 unique cocktails using The Woods spirits. Take home a 375 ml Italian spirit and a craft fresh fruit syrup.
Dates and times vary.
The Takeaway
This a great opportunity to see a vacuum still and learn about the vacuum distillation process. Enjoy a cocktail making class, tour the distillery, or just come to the Bar in the Woods to enjoy a house made cocktail or sample some fantastic local craft spirits.
Long Table Distillery
Established in 2013, Long Table Distillery holds the distinction of being Vancouver's first micro-distillery. This family-owned establishment is renowned for its commitment to crafting premium, small-batch spirits. Utilizing a custom-built 300-litre Christian Carl copper-pot still, Long Table Distillery produces a diverse range of award-winning gins, botanical spirits, and liqueurs, all distilled on-site using 100% Canadian grain-based alcohol and locally foraged botanicals.
Spirits
Their product lineup includes:
- London Dry Gin
- Cucumber Gin
- Barrel-Aged Gin
- Texada Vodka
- Scandinavian-inspired Långbord Akvavit
In addition to these, they offer seasonal spirits such as:
- Limoncello
- Amaro
- Curaçao
- Absinthe
Experiences
For those interested in a more immersive experience, Long Table Distillery offers a variety of interactive events. Guests can participate in Cocktail Making classes, Sushi and Cocktail Pairing sessions, and Make Your own Cocktail High Tea. These experiences provide a unique opportunity to learn about the art of distillation and mixology in a relaxed and engaging setting.
The Takeaway
Enjoy a fantastic cocktail making class, or just stop by to pick up some craft made spirits made from locally sourced ingredients.
Resurrection Spirits
Nestled in the heart of East Vancouver's industrial district, Resurrection Spirits is a micro-distillery that pays homage to the city's rich history of rye whisky production. Founded by bartender-turned-distiller Brian Grant, the distillery revives traditional methods by using 100% BC rye grain to craft small-batch spirits.
The tasting lounge offers a cozy, industrial-chic ambiance, featuring a polished bar, torched wooden beams, and a dog-friendly patio. Guests can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails, including the Forest for the Trees and Express Yourself, which showcase Resurrection Spirits' own vodka and other house-made ingredients.
Spirits
Resurrection Spirits boasts a variety of spirits including:
- Gin
- Lavender Gin
- Vodka
- Garlic Vodka
- Whisky
- Rye Whisky
- Specialty Liqueurs
- RTD – Old Fashioned
Private label program lets you brand Resurrection Spirits products with your own brand label – put your story on the bottle.
Experiences
A modern lounge and tasting bar enables you to stop by for a cocktail, and sample some of the unique spirits produced by Resurrection Spirits, as well as beer and wine.
The lounge can accommodate small to medium size groups for private events.
Tours and tastings are available.
The Takeaway
Stop by the lounge for a hand made craft cocktail made with Resurrection Spirits products. The friendly staff and cool vibe will not disappoint. This is a hidden gem in East Vancouver.
Deep Blue Distilleries
Nestled in Richmond, BC, Deep Blue Distilleries brings a taste of the Pacific Coast to every bottle – handcrafting gin and vodka that reflect British Columbia’s purest elements. Their spirits, such as Nookum Gin and Charm Vodka, are born from a fully integrated distillation process spanning from raw ingredient selection to bottling, powered by custom-built stills from Hungary and Spain.
The name “Deep Blue” is a nod to the deep, vibrant waters of the Pacific Ocean, symbolizing purity and depth, and to Richmond’s Fraser River where it meets the sea, a metaphor for the distillery’s blend of heritage, innovation, and craftsmanship.
Spirits
Deep Blue is producing world-class grain to glass spirits using time-honoured distilling techniques, combined with modern innovations and technology, right in Richmond, BC. Spirits include:
- Gin
- Vodka
- Specialty Spirits
- Liqueurs
Experiences
Distillery Tours
Go behind-the-scenes to see Deep Blue’s state-of-the-art facilities, and learn about their meticulous distillation process that produces world class grain to glass spirits. At the end of the tour enjoy a handcrafted gin or vodka cocktail.
Distillery tours are available Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and last 20 – 30 minutes. Contact the distillery to make a reservation.
The Takeaway
Deep Blue Distilleries is crafting superb grain to glass craft spirits in their state-of-the-art facility using time-honoured distillation techniques, and should be near the top of your list of distilleries to visit in Vancouver.
The Liberty Distillery
Established in 2013, The Liberty Distillery holds the distinction of being Vancouver's first 100% craft distillery. Located on Granville Island, this artisanal distillery is dedicated to producing premium spirits using only 100% organic BC-grown grains. Their commitment to authenticity, quality, and heritage is evident in every bottle they produce.
At The Liberty Distillery, the entire production process—from fermentation to triple distillation—is carried out onsite. They utilize handmade copper stills to ensure each batch meets their high standards. This meticulous approach results in a range of spirits that reflect the rich agricultural heritage of British Columbia.
Spirits
Their product lineup includes a variety of whiskies, gins, and vodkas. Notable offerings are the Trust Whiskey series, which includes Single Grain, Canadian Rye, and the Single Cask editions aged in Port, Bordeaux, and Burgundy barrels.
For gin lovers, the Endeavour Gin series provides a selection of handcrafted gins, each with its unique flavor profile. Additionally, their Truth Vodka and Truth Oat Vodka are crafted with the same attention to detail, offering smooth and refined spirits.
Experiences
Cocktail Lounge
Liberty Distillery has a full service cocktail lounge where you can sample any of their spirits, or enjoy a house made signature cocktail.
Tours and Tastings
On site tastings available in the lounge, and distillery tours are available on Saturday and Sunday.
Private Event Space
The lounge is available to book for your private event. They can accommodate 20 to 35 guests, depending on the type of event. Various seating arrangements are available, catering, music, and of course a full bar tending service.
The Takeaway
Visitors to The Liberty Distillery can enjoy a welcoming cocktail lounge that offers a warm ambiance and a selection of house-made cocktails. The lounge is open daily, with happy hour specials from Monday to Thursday, 5 PM to 7 PM. For those interested in learning more about the distillation process, the distillery offers tours and tastings, providing an in-depth look at their production methods.
Odd Society Spirits
Odd Society Spirits is a small-batch craft distillery located in the heart of East Vancouver's Port District. Founded by Gordon and Miriam Karp, the distillery combines old-world distilling traditions with new-world ingredients to create unique and innovative spirits. All fermentation and distillation processes are conducted on-site using 100% BC-grown grains, ensuring a truly local product.
Spirits
The distillery's product lineup includes a variety of whiskies, gins, and liqueurs. Notable offerings are the Commodore Single Malt Whisky, crafted from double-distilled 100% BC-grown malted barley and aged for over three years in ex-Bourbon barrels, and the Wallflower Gin, available in several expressions, including the Port-Barrel-Aged Gin and Solera Barrel Gin, each offering unique flavor profiles.
Experiences
For those interested in exploring their creations, Odd Society Spirits offers a tasting lounge where visitors can sample their range of spirits. The lounge provides a cozy and inviting atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a handcrafted cocktail or learn more about the distillation process.
Group booking are available for private tastings, cocktail making classes, or other events.
The Takeaway
Standout craft cocktails, tasting flights, and super friendly staff make for a great experience at Odd Society Spirits.
Copperpenny Distilling Co.
Copperpenny Distilling Co. is Vancouver’s most awarded distillery, and a standout in Vancouver's vibrant craft spirits scene, offering a blend of award-winning gins, innovative cocktails, and a uniquely immersive tasting experience. Located in North Vancouver's Brewery District, just a short walk from the Seabus Terminal, this distillery has quickly become a local favorite.
Spirits
Founded by a duo with no prior distilling or bar experience, Copperpenny has rapidly gained recognition for its commitment to quality and creativity. Their flagship No. 005 Social Gin has garnered global acclaim, including a Gold Medal at the 2025 World Gin Awards. This gin is celebrated for its balanced citrus notes and subtle Mediterranean spices, making it a versatile choice for a variety of cocktails.
Other notable offerings include the Moonlight Edition Night Blossom Gin, Lost Horizon Rare Tea Gin, and No. 006 Oyster Shell Gin, the latter being Canada's first of its kind, crafted in collaboration with Fanny Bay Oyster Company.
Experiences
Tasting Lounge
The distillery's tasting lounge is a testament to co-owner Jennifer Kom-Tong's background in film set design. The space features an art deco-inspired aesthetic with elements that evoke a sense of adventure and elegance. Guests can enjoy a curated menu of cocktails, including classics like Negronis and Martinis, as well as seasonal creations that showcase the versatility of Copperpenny's spirits. The lounge also offers a pet-friendly patio, providing a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.
Tours
For those interested in a deeper dive into the distillation process, Copperpenny offers private tours and events, allowing guests to explore the grain-to-glass journey of their spirits.
Events
Monthly events such as live music, or food pairings.
Private Bookings
The cocktail lounge is available to book for private events.
The Takeaway
Copperpenny Distilling Co. produces award-winning grain to glass spirits and liqueurs from local ingredients, on-site, in North Vancouver. An incredibly fun vibe, and friendly and knowledgeable staff make for an unforgettable experience.
Mad Laboratory Distilling
Located in Vancouver's Eastside, Mad Lab Distilling is an award-winning micro-distillery founded by Scott Thompson in 2015. With a background in hospitality and a passion for spirits, Scott embarked on a journey to create unique, handcrafted spirits using unconventional methods. Operating on a modest budget, he designed and built the distillery himself, focusing on quality and innovation.
Mad Lab specializes in small-batch production, using 100% BC-grown malted barley. Their distillation process employs a continuous fermentation technique, akin to a sourdough starter, utilizing a robust yeast culture developed over 250 generations. This approach ensures consistency and imparts distinctive flavors to their spirits.
The distillery employs a custom-built, direct-fire pot still with a thumper, an uncommon setup that enhances flavor extraction and imparts a rich, toasty character to their whiskies. The maturation process involves aging in quarter casks before transferring to larger barrels, allowing for a balanced and complex flavor profile.
Spirits
All Mad Lab spirits are hand-made, in-house, using 100% BC barley. Using a continuous fermentation process, similar to how sourdough bread is made, the same yeast culture is carried over, batch after batch, year after year, maintaining consistency and contributing to Mad Lab spirits distinctive flavour profile.
Spirits available include:
- Vodka
- Gin
- Single Malt Whisky
- Amaro
- Ulkeraki (Turkish spirit)
- Liqueurs
- RTD Cocktails
- Bitters
Experiences
The distillery is open from Tuesday to Friday where you can stop by for a tasting of any of their products, and even purchase your own barrel (1, 2, or 3 litres) to age your own whisky at home.
The Takeaway
Mad Lab Distilling offers something truly unique in Vancouver, with unusual production methods producing spirits with a flavour profile you won't find anywhere else. This is a distillery you don't want to skip. Stop on by, or book a tour/tasting. For a deeper dive, book a private tour that offers a more in-depth look into their unique production methods.
Roots and Wings Distillery
Nestled on a 30-acre farm in the heart of the Fraser Valley near Fort Langley, Roots and Wings Distillery stands as a testament to the art of small-batch, farm-to-bottle distilling. Established in 2017, it proudly holds the title of Langley’s first craft distillery. What sets them apart is their commitment to producing spirits from scratch using ingredients they cultivate themselves—potatoes, corn, and natural spring water sourced directly from their land.
Co-founded by Rob Rindt and Rebekah Crowley, the distillery embraces a true seed-to-sip philosophy. Rebekah, a self-taught distiller with a background in technology sales, leads the distillation process. She completed the Canadian Master Distilling program at Urban Distilleries & Winery in Kelowna to hone her craft. Their journey began when they couldn't find a locally-made potato or corn vodka that met their standards, prompting them to create their own.
Spirits
The distillery's product lineup includes a variety of spirits such as vodka, whiskey, gin, absinthe, and liqueurs. Notable offerings include:
- Vodka
- Whisky
- Gin
- Absinthe
- Liqueurs
They are currently aging a bourbon style whisky.
Experiences
Visitors to Roots and Wings Distillery can enjoy a rustic yet welcoming atmosphere, complete with a sunny patio and a vintage bar gift shop. The distillery hosts regular live music events and offers a selection of craft cocktails made with their artisan spirits. It's a perfect spot to relax, sample unique spirits, and experience the charm of Langley's first craft distillery.
The Takeaway
This is a hidden gem in Langley, BC. Friendly staff, great spirits, and really good food served in a cozy, fun atmosphere make for an unforgettable visit.
So get out and enjoy some fine craft spirits, cocktails, and experiences at these distilleries in Vancouver. If there are distilleries you think should be added to this list, let me know in the comments below.
Italian Crafted Glass Decanter & Whisky Glasses Set
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