Looking for something to do this winter? Why not take an unofficial distillery tour of Victoria! This city is known for its breweries and wineries, but many people fail to realize it also has some excellent distilleries. Keep reading to discover the best local distilleries in Victoria.
Devine Distillery & Winery
Devine Distillery & Winery, located in Saanichton, is hands down one of the top distilleries in the Victoria area. They use only local ingredients and produce both wine and spirits. All of their wines are pressed, fermented, aged, and bottled at their winery, and they exclusively use Vancouver Island grown grapes. Further, they grow their own fruit, barley, and botanicals to make their spirits. In terms of spirits, the Glen Saanich Single Malt Whisky is what Devine is known for. The distillery is currently closed but when they reopen, they have a rustic tasting room and a scenic outdoor patio.
Victoria Distillers
The second stop on your unofficial distillery tour of Victoria? Victoria Distillers. For over ten years, Victoria Distillers has been producing and serving some of Canada’s best spirits at their waterfront location in Sidney. Normally, this distillery offers tasting and tours of the site, however, due to COVID-19 they have suspended these services and only have their retail store open to customers for the time being. The store sells a variety of their own spirits, such as brandy, vodka, and spiced rum, as well as a few other local brands like Empress 1908 and The Strait & Narrow.
Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery
A brewery and a distillery all in one is what you get at Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery. This Victoria institution is open year round (they even have a special winter patio). Visitors have the option of sipping on some local Twa Dogs beer, which ranges from pilsners and lagers to ales and sours, or some Caledonian whisky. The single malt whisky produced by the distillery combines Canadian grown barley with the traditional Scottish craft of whisky making.
If you love checking out new distilleries, then Victoria is a great place to visit. And while you’re here, we recommend booking a room at the Days Inn Victoria Uptown. Just a short distance from some of the best distilleries in the city, we combine quality service and luxe amenities with an unbeatable location.
