Island distilleries earned a barrel of awards based on discerning taste at the national whisky awards handed out in Victoria.
Paradigm Spirits’ 2022 Heritage Collection was named Canadian Whisky of the Year at the 2024 awards, held Jan. 18. The 19-year-old blended whisky was awarded top honours by a panel of 10 judges, who tasted and scored nearly 200 competing whiskies in blind tastings.
It was among more than two dozen awards handed out at the 14th annual event.
Four Island businesses got a taste of the hardware – Devine Distillery in Central Saanich, Stillhead in Duncan, Shelter Point in Campbell River, and Saanich’s Macaloney’s Island.
Devine Distillery scored silver in the Whisky of the Year category for its Ancient Grains ‘Young Whisky’.
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Stillhead earned best cask strength whisky and best single barrel release for its rye whisky.
The local flavours also fared well in medals.
Macaloney’s Island Distillery earned a gold medal for its Peat Project 54 ppm - Virgin American Oak, Washington Peat
Devine earned silver medals for both its Glen Saanich Single Malt - Cask #32 and Ancient Grains ‘Young Whisky’
The Saanich Peninsula distillery also scored bronze for its Ancient Grains 5-Grain Whisky, Glen Saanich Single Malt Whisky and Einkorn Whisky
Stillhead distillery earned bronze for its Single Malt Whisky - Cask Strength Single Cask #10; B-Word Cask Strength Bourbon Style Whisky; B-Word Cask Strength Bourbon Style Whisky; Double Oak Rye and Rye Whisky - Cask Strength Single Cask (Islay Cask Finish).
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