Okanagan Spirits Aquavitus
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Aquavitus is a Canadian aquavit produced by Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery in British Columbia. It is bottled at 42% ABV and follows a distinctly Nordic, spice-forward style, with caraway and dill at the centre of the profile, supported by anise, fennel, coriander and juniper. The distillery describes it as a vodka-style spirit infused with aromatic herbs and spices.
The aroma and flavour are strongly herbal and aromatic. Okanagan Spirits identifies caraway and dill as the dominant characteristics, while the additional botanicals bring anise, fennel, coriander and juniper into the profile. An independent tasting by BC Spirits described the aquavit as rich and herbaceous, with anise, dill and a pronounced cumin note, finishing with a combination of sweet spirit and savoury flavours.
Aquavitus received Double Gold at the 2015 World Spirits Awards in Denmark, an especially notable result given Denmark’s connection to the aquavit tradition. The distillery says the spirit has subsequently been embraced by the local Scandinavian community in British Columbia as well as by drinkers who enjoy aromatic aquavits.
The distillery recommends drinking Aquavitus neat and chilled, traditionally in a small shot or tulip glass. It can also be served alongside a cold beer. Okanagan Spirits currently features the spirit in cocktails as well, including its Winter Buzz and Water of Love recipes.
Bottle gallery
About the producer
Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery was established in 2004 and is described by the distillery as Western Canada’s first craft distillery. The company originally grew from an idea of turning surplus Okanagan fruit into spirits — including fruit that was perfectly good but rejected for cosmetic reasons or size. Over time, its production expanded to include locally grown barley, rye, wheat and corn.
The distillery is family-owned and operated and today has two locations in British Columbia. Its flagship production facility in Vernon occupies 16,000 square feet and includes a tasting area, cocktail lounge and a 27-foot tasting bar. The second location, in downtown Kelowna, combines a boutique distillery with a tasting room, cocktail lounge and patio.
Production remains centred on traditional distillation methods. Okanagan Spirits uses on-site fermentation and distillation, locally sourced B.C. fruit and grain, and copper pot stills. The distillery says its spirits contain no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives.
The Vernon facility has a particularly distinctive piece of equipment: a copper pot still described by the distillery as the tallest in North America. The building itself also reflects the region’s agricultural history, with reclaimed beams from a historic fruit-packing facility and a large 1918 photograph of apple pickers at Coldstream Ranch forming part of the tasting-room design.
Whisky has become one of the distillery’s major areas of expertise. Its portfolio includes Laird of Fintry Single Malt, B.C. Rye, BRBN Bourbon-Style Corn Whisky and seasonal beer-inspired whiskies. Alongside these are gins, vodkas, fruit brandies, liqueurs, absinthe and Aquavitus. The current catalogue lists more than 40 spirits.
The company has accumulated a substantial competition record. It was named Distillery of the Year at the World Spirits Awards in 2013, 2015 and 2020, received the Artisan Distillery of the Year title at the 2022 Canadian Whisky Awards, and in 2025 won 11 Gold and 5 Silver medals at the World Spirits Awards, along with a World-Class Whisky Distillery designation.
Today, visitors can tour the Vernon production facility, see the stills, fermentation vessels and mash cooker, and finish with a guided tasting. The distillery also offers tastings and cocktail experiences at both its Vernon and Kelowna locations.