Toast of the town

Photo: Contributed

Retired Vernon doctor Will Cawkell get's into the spirit of the event.

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Photo: Contributed Photo: Contributed Photo: Contributed

 

Hundreds of Vernonites turned out for the grand opening of the new 16,000-square-foot Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery.

The $3-million project includes North America’s tallest still – a hole had to be cut in the roof to install the towering cooper giant. 

“It’s extremely flexible, from making fruit brandies to whiskey,” said Peter von Hahn, master distiller.

“We plan to move more into the whiskey market, including our single-malt Laird of Fintry, rye whiskey and perhaps a bourbon-style whiskey."

Local agriculture is also expected to play a bigger role.

“It’s rather neat we started out just using cull fruit. Now, we are getting approached by farmers asking what specific varieties we need. We used our first haskap berries from Salmon Arm, and an Oyama orchardist is planting special fruit trees just for us,” said von Hahn.

The event also attracted local, provincial and federal politicians, but it was Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster who was singled out for his support of the craft distilling industry.

“He has been a champion in the province and has brought distillation to British Columbia. This is a big deal for the provincial economy,” said Tyler Dyck, CEO and president of the Craft Distiller's Guild of B.C.

The distillery is expected to be a tourist attraction as well, with a 1930s prohibition theme including a 27-foot “Moonshiners Shack” tasting bar, outdoor patio and whiskey lounge.

“This is a family business. Everything in here was built from scratch with blood, sweat and tears,” said Dyck.