Photo: Contributed

Dubh Glas Distillery's first signature release is a hand-crafted, small batch gin is made from 100% British Columbian grown barley and select botanicals.

A south Okanagan distillery picked up some prestigious hardware in Canada's only national spirit competition.

The Dubh Glas Distillery, from Oliver, was the only Okanagan distillery to receive a Gold Medal with Distinction for their New Western Dry Noteworthy Gin. Dubh Glas took home the award in the largest spirit category and the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition judges described the gin, saying, "it comes in gently on the palate and opens up and truly blossoms towards a lovely spicy and floral finish. Great balance."

Dubh Glas also received an award for their limited Christmas release,  Barrel Rested Gin, which also picked up a gold medal.

This competition is reserved for only micro-distilleries. A panel of eight independent spirit experts from across the country. Spirits are evaluated blind on a point based system in four categories; nose, palate, finish and quality.

Maple Leaf Spirits, also received gold medals for their Canadian Kirsch and Lady of the Cask brandy. It was complimented with Silver medals for Pear Williams and both Cherry and Maple liqueurs.
 
CASC now in its second year has increased its submissions by 50 per cent over its first year. This made the competition fierce in a growing spirits industry from across Canada.

"This growth demonstrates that a competition like this is welcome among artisan distillers to help them spread the word about the great spirits their producing," stated Alex Hamer, the competitions founder.

Silver medals were awarded to Old Order Distilling, which operates a cocktail lounge in downtown Penticton, for their Legacy Gin, Heritage Vodka and Black Goat Vodka.

Further south in Osoyoos, Tumbleweed Spirits, the newest distillery to join the growing list received bronze medals for their gin, Cherry Moonshine, and Nine Mile Creek 'shine.
 
Davin de Kergommeaux, author of the award-winning book, Canadian Whisky: The New Portable Expert, says, “the importance of credible competitions in raising the profile of Canada’s microdistillers cannot be overstated. The Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition highlights the best of the best. This, in turn, tells consumers where to start exploring them.”