Story by Hans Tammemagi Photography by Don Denton

Seeking top-line spirits to impress my friends and make stimulating cocktails B次元官网网址� the current hot trend B次元官网网址� I headed to Sooke and Sheringham Distillery. In an unassuming two-storey grey building just off the main street B次元官网网址� surprise! B次元官网网址� I found the worldB次元官网网址檚 best contemporary gin.

While sipping a Seaside Gin, with its hints of the nearby ocean, I spoke with Jason and Alayne MacIsaac, the owners and operators, and learned about the passion and care that results in a small distillery producing spirits with tastes and quality that far surpass those from a massive assembly-line production.

That Sheringham crafts the finest became glaringly obvious when their Seaside Gin was entered in the World Gin Awards competition in London, England. The MacIsaacs were overjoyed to win the qualifying competition for contemporary gins made in Canada. But when their overall victory against 22 other countries was announced in London in February of this year, they were ecstatic. A critic said, B次元官网网址淩eally gorgeous on its own, when you sip this gin it tastes nothing like youB次元官网网址檇 expect a gin with kelp in it to taste like.B次元官网网址�

And it wasnB次元官网网址檛 a fluke, for SheringhamB次元官网网址檚 four spirits have won more than a dozen awards in the past few years.

Alayne explained how the idea for Seaside Gin was born one day as she and Jason walked along French Beach.

B次元官网网址淚t was a glorious sunny day with waves rolling in, and a wonderful fresh breeze carried the aromas of blooming Sitka roses, the forest and the ocean,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淛ason and I were enchanted by the beauty of the moment and wondered how we might capture the terroir and its mystique in a bottle.B次元官网网址�

Jason began experimenting using different botanicals B次元官网网址� the flavourings added in the third distillation that gives gin its character. In addition to juniper, coriander, rose, anise and lavender, he tried foraged winged kelp.

Jason, a local surfer, likes the briny and umami notes that kelp adds to his gin: B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 clean as a south island surf,B次元官网网址� he said.

Little wonder that a prize-winning libation emerged, for Jason, a chef by formal training, has a superb palate and has memorized an extensive B次元官网网址渃atalogueB次元官网网址� of flavours and aromas. He also knows how to source local products such as organic barleys and wheats. He had a home still almost two decades ago and learned the trade by reading and speaking with local master distillers like VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Ken Winchester.

Alayne has a business degree and studied Mandarin overseas. With a strong business acumen, she looks after the financial, administrative and promotional side of the company.

It was risky to give up their separate successful careers, but the couple wanted to work together, so in 2015 they started Sheringham Distillery, combining the strengths and talents of each. Thanks to their skills, passion and hard work, the distillery has succeeded.

Their first operation was home-based in Shirley, BC, but in 2017 they moved to nearby Sooke and more than tripled their production. They live above the distillery with Cassandra, their six-year-old daughter.

B次元官网网址淢y favourite part of Sheringham Distillery,B次元官网网址� said Jason, B次元官网网址渋s working with Alayne. WeB次元官网网址檙e a great team.B次元官网网址�

Indeed, I could sense their mutual support, synergy and strength.

In addition to Seaside Gin, Sheringham crafts four other spirits. Kazuki Gin was born out of a love of both eastern and western botanicals experienced during their travels, and also of Japanese cuisine. Kazu means harmony and ki means radiance. Two of the botanicals B次元官网网址� cherry blossoms and yuzu peel B次元官网网址� are imported from Japan.

Akvavit, a traditional Nordic spirit, is not common on this side of the Atlantic, but SheringhamB次元官网网址檚 version, nicely spiced with local botanicals, may change that.

WilliamB次元官网网址檚 White was an un-aged whisky that was gaining popularity, however, Jason discontinued it to pursue whiskies aged in oak barrels. I was happy to hear that a few will soon be reaching the age of three years, a requirement in Canada to be officially called a whisky. Sheringham also produces a notably smooth vodka.

Jason led me on a tour. One side of the main hall was filled with four large, vertical stainless-steel tanks, a mash tun and three fermenters. But the centre of attention was the three gleaming stainless-steel stills with shining orange copper cladding.

B次元官网网址淭he large one is a stripping still, the next in size is the spirit still and the third, smallest still is where I add the botanicals,B次元官网网址� Jason explained. B次元官网网址淚 enjoy experimenting with different botanicals and have tried quite a variety over the years.B次元官网网址�

He added: B次元官网网址淎s in cooking, terroir is important in making spirits. We love this part of southern Vancouver Island overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca.B次元官网网址�

The moniker Sheringham Distillery pays homage to the name given to the area in 1846 (later shortened to Shirley so it would fit on a postage stamp). The Sheringham Point Lighthouse, built in 1912, is located nearby.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e definitely growing,B次元官网网址� said Alayne with a smile. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e planning to produce more by being more efficient and weB次元官网网址檙e adding a new tank soon. Our public relations strategy is something we love: connecting with and meeting our customers.B次元官网网址�

Driving away, I had a new and profound respect for the creativity and passion that makes a craft spirit.

From West Shore Life + Style magazine