Kelowna

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery has reached the pinnacle in the world of craft distillation.

Photo: Contributed

Peter von Hahn

The Kelowna company was named "Distillery of the Year", along with "Spirit of the Year" and was presented with a "World Class Distillery" designation at the recent 2013 World Spirits Awards held in Klagenfurt, Austria. 

The awards and classifications add to Okanagan Spirits already comprehensive list of awards and accolades at this international spirits competition but, according to Master Distiller, Peter von Hahn this level of recognition puts the company among a very elite group of world class distillers. 

"It was an amazing honour a few years ago when we became Canada's only Master Class Distillery, but to surpass that this year with becoming North America's only World Class Distillery, and being named the World Spirits Awards "Distillery of the Year", is simply astounding." 

In order to achieve this top honour at the 2013 World Spirits Awards, Okanagan Spirits Master Distiller Peter von Hahn needed a gold medal sweep across a full category which would mean five gold medals out of five spirits entered in a particular category of alcohol production. 

In fact von Hahn went on to win Distillery of the Year, Spirit of the Year and earned a medal with all 10 of his BC fruit made spirits that he entered, claiming one double gold medal, four gold medals, and five silver medals for his products spanning Liqueurs, Eau de Vie Fruit Brandies, Aquavit and Absinthe. 

Okanagan Spirits Black Currant liqueur was given the highest points score ever given to a product at the World spirits event.

"I had previously stated that we needed to dream big to achieve success at an awards event of this caliber, and I guess that big dream came true, placing us directly on top of the world stage of craft spirit production."