Craft Distilling is a new art form for Ontario. The first distilleries only came into being after 2009. Since that time a scattering of craft distillers have popped up across the province but due to heavy taxation and difficult regulations imposed on them, their numbers are small. Fortunately in the area of Wellington, Waterloo and Perth Counties there is a nexus of people with a creative spirit and hardy soul who have embraced this fledgling industry.
These are creators who have turned away from the industrialized world of massed produced spirits and revived the hand-crafted methods from a bygone era. They are connecting with local farmers to source fresh ingredients, and they are experimenting with unique flavours in small batches. This gives the consumers a chance to drink great local products that are exciting and new.
Gin is of course one of the most exciting spirits because it offers the most freedom to be creative. The base alcohol must be flavoured with juniper but after that the world is our oyster. Each of these six distilleries is exploring new botanicals and flavourings as well as experimenting with small batch techniques. You are bound to find new a gin experience that will excite your palate.
Each distillery offers consumers a chance to come and see how alcohol is made, learning the ins and outs of distillation. Another advantage of visiting a producer is that often you are able to sample products to make informed choices before purchasing. These are exciting early days of a new Spirits Industry here in Ontario and the Craft Gin Trail gives you a front row seat on its journey.
