Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery

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.