Copperpenny Akvavit
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- ABV
- 42%
- Base spirit
- Wheat
- Color
- Clear
- Style
- Unaged Aquavit
Copperpenny Akvavit is a modern Scandinavian-style spirit made by Copperpenny Distilling Co. in North Vancouver, British Columbia. At 42% ABV, it is made from 100% B.C. Rocky Mountain Trench Soft White Wheat and produced in small batches using a 500-litre hybrid still.
The botanical profile combines fresh B.C.-grown dill, Canadian coriander, green cardamom and caraway seed. Copperpenny describes the spirit as an Eau de Vie with a savoury, gin-like character, but without the pine-forward flavour associated with juniper-based gin.
On the nose, Copperpenny lists sweet baked bread and vegetal notes. The palate brings light anise and citrus undertones with a smooth body, while the finish is marked by fresh dill, citrusy coriander and light cardamom spice.
The distillery recommends drinking it chilled as a shot, traditionally alongside a light beer, or on its own. It also specifically recommends pairing the aquavit with cured fish such as gravlax or smoked salmon.
Copperpenny Akvavit has received international recognition, including Double Gold at the 2023 Pr%f Awards. Your original post also records a second Double Gold at the 2024 Pr%f Awards and a Bronze at the 2025 World Aquavit Awards.
Bottle gallery
About the producer
Copperpenny Distilling Co.
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Copperpenny Distilling Co. is a family-owned craft distillery in North Vancouver, British Columbia, founded by husband-and-wife team Jan Stenc and Jennifer Kom-Tong. The distillery began production in 2021 and opened its doors to the public in early 2022.
The founders came from the film industry rather than traditional distilling. They spent years working internationally as set decorators and art directors, and their experience in creating visual environments eventually became an important part of Copperpenny’s identity. The couple had travelled extensively for work and developed a habit of seeking out local gins wherever they went. Those experiences eventually led them to create their own spirits in B.C.
That background is particularly visible in Copperpenny’s cocktail lounge. Jennifer Kom-Tong designed the space herself, drawing on her film-set experience. The interior combines an emerald-and-gold palette with theatrical details, while the production area remains visible from the lounge. The distillery describes the concept as an experience where distillation is not hidden behind closed doors.
Copperpenny follows a grain-to-glass, small-batch approach. The distillery works with Canadian grain-based spirits and a combination of B.C. botanicals and carefully selected ingredients from around the world. Its philosophy is centred on the idea that spirits can express the character of the place and culture from which they come — what the company calls “culture in a bottle.”
Although gin remains central to Copperpenny’s identity, the portfolio extends well beyond it. The current range includes gin, vodka, akvavit and liqueurs, with releases such as No. 005 Social Gin, No. 006 Oyster Shell Gin, Night Blossom Gin, Lost Horizon Rare Tea Gin, Ember Smoked Gin, No. 002 B.C. Vodka and Just A Sec Triple Sec.
The distillery operates at 288 Esplanade East, Unit 103, North Vancouver, in the Lower Lonsdale/Brewery District, close to the Seabus terminal. Its 7,500-square-foot seaside facility combines production with a cocktail lounge, tasting experiences and a retail bottle shop.
Copperpenny has received substantial international recognition for its spirits. The distillery says its products have received awards from competitions including the Global Gin Masters, Pr%f Magazine, Canadian Artisan Spirits and San Francisco Spirits Competition. Its Oyster Shell Gin, for example, became a particularly notable release and was recognised at the Global Gin Masters.