ONTARIO CRAFT DISTILLERS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

The ONTARIO CRAFT DISTILLERS ASSOCIATION (OCDA) are proud to present the 'first fifteen' members. 

The ONTARIO CRAFT DISTILLERS ASSOCIATION (OCDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the success of the Province of Ontario's Craft Distilleries. Join us on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and GOOGLE+. We're Helping Raise Ontario's Spirits™ ~ For information on the #OCDA please contact info@ontariocraftdistillers.com.

OCDA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: TORONTO DISTILLERY CO.

The guys at Toronto Distillery Co. are up to good things. Co-owners Charles Benoit and Jesse Razaqpur are hard at work in the 'Junction' answering for this city’s severe lack of independently produced, local spirits. With a friendship that dates back to high school, they still stay up late, pull long hours, and do their homework, only now they’re singularly focused on making exceptional Whisky and Gin instead of on passing geography.

And they’re wrecking the curve, as far as craft distilling goes. Their commitment to the finer points of the process is exemplary, and it shines right through. Clear as water, their 100% Organic Ontario Wheat or Rye Grain Spirits brag about their youth, not how old they are. Also called “new make” by savvy people who like proper terminology, these unique spirits derive all of their flavour straight from the distillation runs themselves, rather than from barrels. 

It begins with an exclusive mash bill – these gents won’t compromise on the ingredients they use. Unlike with larger distillers, if they say it’s a rye spirit, it’s a rye spirit. When they combine grains, they say so right on the label. It’s detailed right down to decimal-point percentages. No artificial flavours or colours, no posturing, no nonsense. Toronto distillery Co. is also certified organic, so you know you’re getting the good stuff. 

As distillation begins, Charles and Jesse seek out a sweet spot in the process with the precision of surgeons. This sweet spot – called the heart – produces the truest expression of all that grain, and this is all they want to bottle, all they want to offer. The resulting new make promises the purest experience of the grain’s potential, unmitigated by barrels, and uninfluenced by age. It stands to reason that the uncompromising whisky lover owes it to him- or herself to try this.

For the cocktail enthusiast, Toronto Distillery Co. offers up their distinctive J.R’s Dry Organic Canadian Gin. The bottle design seems to say it all: this not your average, mouthwashy gin. This is an elixir. Sitting at 45% alc. / vol., it is made to seriously enhance martinis and impress your date. Carefully prepared with herbs and juniper berries sourced from Ontario, this spirit stands out in that the recipe’s botanicals are left in the pot during distillation, which allows their flavours to cohere more subtly and smoothly in the final product. Explore its complexity by drinking it neat, which, of course, is recommended. 

Like the other members of the OCDA, Toronto Distillery Co. is all about quality, honesty, and transparency when it comes to their business. And they want to prove it to you. Their doors are open for tours and tastings so that you can go learn more about their methods and the principles that guide them. Sample bravely and don’t look back. 

It’s obvious that Jesse and Charles believe that there is an art to distilling, and that the best way to achieve its fullest expression is through focus and attention to detail. They privilege ingredients and process over additives and profit. These are purposefully small-batch, all-organic, true Ontarian spirits.   The good old days of your grandfather’s whisky and your grandmother’s gin are behind us. These are the brand new days of craft distilling in Ontario, and they’re being heralded by Toronto Distilling Co. Visit WEBSITE. 

Note: Article written by Dylan Nassr.

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#OCDA

The Ontario Craft Distillers Association (OCDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the success of Craft Distilleries in the Province of Ontario, Canada.  For more information on the OCDA or our constituents please contact us directly. You can also get social with OCDA on Facebook and Twitter. 
 

OCDA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: 66 GILEAD DISTILLERY

Out in Prince Edward County, there is an abundance of beautiful stuff. It’s a place of fresh air, beaches, and expansive wineries. Anyone who has been there can tell you that there’s no shortage of pastoral scenes to gaze at while wishing you could paint. For those of you with little to no romantic sensibility, Price Edward County has something else to offer, which anyone should be able to admire. Right in the middle of it all, in Bloomfield, ON, sits 66 Gilead Distillery. 

It seems somehow appropriate that the distillery is named for its address on Gilead Road. 66 Gilead was built in 1874. Owners and operators Sophia Pantazi and Perter Strozlt showcase their impressive array of spirits inside a historic house that’s almost as old as our country. You know what was happening in 1874? New York City annexed the Bronx. The Dakota gold rush began. Jeans cost $1.12. And if that fact alone is not reason enough to get you to go check it out, the quality of their products should convince you to grab a buddy and hit the road.

Right now, in their temperature-controlled, custom-made copper stills, some of Ontario’s finest whisky, rum, gin and vodka is being made. These aren’t your commercial, mass-produced whiskies and gins; they are complex, various, and full of character. Every batch is truly small-batch, every bottle contains the results of a carefully crafted recipe. 

Many of the ingredients that 66 Gilead uses are grown on their own property, including the juniper berries and the lavender for their LCBO-carried Loyalist Gin. Their commitment to keeping it local is made all the more apparent when you consider that even the barrels they age their dark spirits in are sourced from a neighbouring, honest-to-goodness Cooper, The Carriage House Cooperage.  It’s dedication like this that allows 66 Gilead Distillery to distinguish itself in a market that is saturated with uninspired spirits from companies so massive they have gravitational pull.

Speaking of local values, Peter and Sophia are as hospitable as can be. Seriously, they want you to come over. Take a tour and learn about the distillation process, and then expand your horizons in their tasting room. There, you can sample an impressive range of spirituous drinks, including their Crimson Rye Whisky, Duck Island Rum, and Canadian Pine Vodka. A must-do is the oak barrel-aged Black Dragon Shōchū, a traditional Japanese liquor made from barley, rice, and sesame.

This distillery, along with the other members of the OCDA, faces tremendous challenges in trying to promote their products. They deal with huge competition, legal impediments, and restrictions on where they can sell. They believe that craft distilling has inherent value, and are proving it, bottle after bottle. But it goes beyond craft, beyond locale, beyond batch size. These are people with Ontario-based business and production at heart, and they express this conviction by putting it into practice, crafting and offering the goods they are passionate about (though it’s practically a service, so direly are we in need of new cocktail options).

Only now is the local craft distillery movement beginning to find its footing in the mindset of the discerning spirit-drinkers of this province. Make room in your head and in your liquor cabinet for 66 Gilead Distillery.  Visit WEBSITE. 

Note: Article written by Dylan Nassr.

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The Ontario Craft Distillers Association (OCDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the success of Craft Distilleries in the Province of Ontario, Canada.  For more information on the OCDA or our constituents please contact us directly. You can also get social with OCDA on Facebook and Twitter. 

 
 

OCDA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: STILL WATERS DISTILLERY

The terms handcrafted and local are thrown around a lot these days. When you hear them now, you probably don’t pause to think about the values these words are intended to reflect. At Still Waters Distillery, these are respected qualities, not just buzzwords. Established in 2009 by Barry Bernstein and Barry Stein, the distillery has since been producing some of the most distinctive Canadian Whisky, Vodka, and Rye, garnering both national and international acclaim.

And their first bottle of whiskey was only opened in 2011. Canadian liquor laws require that a whiskey be aged for a minimum of 3 years, and that means that their hallmark single malt whiskey Stalk and Barrel was in the works for quite a while before we were able to get our hands on it. Patience, know-how, and confidence in their method has evidently paid off for the two co-founders, because Stalk and Barrel is every bit as good as the numerous awards it has won suggest, which, it should be noted, include the Canadian Whiskey Awards’ 2013 Distillery of the Year and 2015 Best New Whiskey awards.

Based out of Concord, ON, the two Barry’s work together on creating products that showcase their dedication to the craft of micro-distillation. They’re practically obsessed with ensuring that every batch meets its potential and then some. Their business mantra – From Grain to Glass – says it all. They are involved with every step of the process, from sourcing the grains to distilling the alcohol in their traditional (and custom made) copper pot still to carefully filling the ex-bourbon barrels their whiskey will age in. The two-row barely they use is grown exclusively in Canada (no exceptions), and as much of the grain as possible is farmed within 100km of the distillery itself.  

Every individual barrel imparts unique characteristics to the final product, and so either Barry or Barry closely monitors every single one, ensuring that conditions are ideal, and that the spirit receives the exact treatment it needs to reach proper maturity. Then they taste, make notes, and taste some more. There is no outsourcing, no automation. Don’t even ask if they add artificial colouring. It’s a process that benefits from their direct and continuous involvement, from their devotion, and from their expertise. And then we all benefit in turn. That works out well, no? 

As though any more was required of these guys to prove that they’re completely on the level and all-around awesome Ontarians, they offer ways for whiskey snobs and whiskey newbies alike to become more involved, more knowledgeable, and more engaged with their drink of choice. Their website boasts a barrel-tracking service, where you can delve into the world of small-batch tasting notes and other intricacies like barrel types, age, and bottling information. They want to open their world to you, not just sell you a product off a shelf.

These spirits are as local as local gets, and as crafty as handcrafted gets. These men are as dedicated as men come. Now a prominent member of the OCDA, Still Waters Distillery was Ontario’s first small-batch, independent distillery, and continues to set the standard.  Click HERE to SHOP ONLINE.

Note: Article written by Dylan Nassr.

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The Ontario Craft Distillers Association (OCDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the success of Craft Distilleries in the Province of Ontario, Canada.  For more information on the OCDA or our constituents please contact us directly. You can also get social with OCDA on Facebook and Twitter. 

OCDA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: DILLON'S SMALL BATCH DISTILLERS

Becoming a distiller and creating Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers is the result of inspirational people, Canadian pride, and a love of fine spirits.  The other inspiration comes from the current state of Canadian spirits and the sentiment that Canadian Whisky no longer carries the same significance it once did.  Dillon’s simple belief however is that craft producers like Dillon’s (and the OCDA members) are the answer to this.

Dillon’s is truly a family affair. Peter Dillon is Geoff Dillon’s father who is married to Gary Huggins daughter. The three (naturally) built a distillery in the Niagara Region's 'Twenty Valley' - a perfect location - based upon proximity to the highest quality local fruits and grains.  Pure, simple, humble, local ingredients that ensure consumers know exactly what they’re paying for.

What truly defines the brand however is honesty and transparency. The result is interesting, unique, small batch artisanal products - that you simply can’t find anywhere else.  Dillon’s is handcrafted with you in mind, one batch at a time.  But don’t take their word for it. Take a look at the accolades Dillon’s has garnered (below), including:

Gold Medal – 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 
Bronze Medal – 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 
Bronze Medal – 2013 New York International Spirits Competition
Silver Medal – 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 
Bronze Medal – 2013 New York International Spirits Competition 
Platinum Medal – 2013 SIP Awards, International Spirits Competition 
Silver Medal – 2014 New York International Spirits Competition 
Bronze Medal – 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 
Double Gold Medal – 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 
Silver Medal – 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 

Bronze Medal – 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 

You can SHOP ONLINE or visit their new distillery & sipping room located on the Niagara Wine Route. All guests are welcome - both individuals and in large groups and bus tours.  The only request is that you contact them ahead of time to ensure they have everything prepared for you. Click HERE for directions. For more information please visit Dillon’s website. 

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The Ontario Craft Distillers Association (OCDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the success of Craft Distilleries in the Province of Ontario, Canada.  For more information on the OCDA or our constituents please contact us directly. You can also get social with OCDA on Facebook and Twitter.  

New Body Launched To Represent All Craft Distillers In Province of Ontario, Canada

Toronto, Ontario - A new initiative has been launched to support the rapidly increasing number of craft distillers across the Province of Ontario. 

Bringing together new or emerging Ontario distilleries, the Ontario Craft Distillers Association (OCDA) is hoping to emulate the success that the craft distillery industry has had over the past few years around the world, and promote the new artisinal products and processes that are being developed by its members.

The formation of the OCDA came about after members felt they required a Body to represent their collective needs – and as a result formed the Ontario Craft Distillers Association (OCDA).The OCDA was established to allow Ontario’s Craft Distillers – which have a shared purpose – to join resources to promote the success of Ontario's Craft Distilleries both Provincially, nationally, and Internationally.

The OCDA currently boasts six internationally acclaimed members who produce over 30 different spirits in the Province of Ontario, Canada.  The original six are notably 66 GILEAD DISTILLERY, DILLON’S SMALL BATCH DISTILLERS, NORTH OF 7 DISTILLERY, DISTILLERIE RHEAULT, STILLWATERS DISTILLERY, and the TORONTO DISTILLERY COMPANY.  

Consumer preferences have evolved over the past years, with far more interest being paid to products that aren’t mass-produced.  Establishing the Ontario Craft Distillers Association (OCDA) will ensure that this new industry flourishes while also notably providing the means to lobby for, and support, niche Ontario businesses to further their products.

As a Group the OCDA intends to lobby for the same duty levels as craft brewers, which would extend significant benefits to this burgeoning industry.  Moreover, the formation of the OCDA will ensure an accreditation process is in place for new members, and provide shared resources for members, best practices, marketing and other similar cost saving options.  The ultimate goal is to introduce and extend Ontario’s Craft Distillers to the world.  

Find Ontario Craft Distillers Association (OCDA) on:
Google+  Blogger  Facebook  Twitter

Media Contact: 

Andrew B. Giles

Goodbuzz Inc.

416-726-6139 

info@goodbuzz.ca

Ontario Craft Distillers Association (OCDA) Members:  

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For more information on the #OCDA or our constituents please contact us directly. You can also get social with OCDA on Facebook and Twitter.

 

What is a Craft Distiller?

Craft distillers are small, boutique, independent and traditional distillers that produce beverage grade alcohol in relatively small quantities. Craft distillers are actively involved in every aspect of the distillation of the spirit, from ingredient selection to bottling and labeling. Some Craft micro-distilleries even take this one step further and grow the grains they use to produce distilled liquors.  

The modern micro-distilling "craft" movement grew out of the beer micro-brewing trend, and the term "craft" brings to mind the idea of starting with raw materials and creating distilled liquors with a high attention to detail. Craft distillers consider that in order to be true to the art of making distilled liquors one must not only care about the end result, but also about the process and the impact of its production. In this way craft distilling sets itself apart from the larger, more established distilleries.

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The Ontario Craft Distillers Association (OCDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the success of Craft Distilleries in the Province of Ontario, Canada.  For more information on the OCDA or our constituents please contact us directly. You can also get social with OCDA on Facebook and Twitter.