The spirits are among us.
Sheringham Distillery has taken its place as the first producer of spirits in Sooke, with vodka marking the initial run from the stills from the new distillery at 6731 West Coast Rd.
The move to downtown Sooke on July 14 from its previous location in Shirley means the new facility is three times larger and houses all new equipment, which includes mash tuns, three new copper stills, and significantly larger fermenting tanks.
A tasting room is now open from noon to 5 p.m. seven days a week where visitors can sample the three main products, tour the facility and purchase products.
Sheringham Distillery also produces a white wheat vodka, Akvavit and its flagship spirit, Seaside Gin. Loganberry Vodka, a limited, locally sourced summer release, is available as well.
Other seasonal releases include a dark chocolate vodka produced from fair trade cacao bean pods and inner husks, created in collaboration with Sirene Artisan Chocolate Makers in Victoria. The first whisky release is slated for February.
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Co-owner Alayne MacIsaac said Sheringham’s growing popularity during the past three years led to the decision to open a larger home in Sooke.
MacIsaac, who launched the company with her husband, Jason, said although they loved their location in Shirley, the demand for their spirits across the province and in other provinces outpaced the ability to comfortably produce at the Shirley location, she said in a media release.
“We couldn’t be happier with our location in Sooke as we are closer to the action of the city, as well as Victoria, and expect a crowded tasting room every weekend this summer.”
Seaside Gin earned a gold medal and best of ahow honours at the 2018 Taste B.C. Awards, a silver medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards in 2017 and a bronze for its akvavit. Visit sheringhamdistillery.com for more of a taste.
editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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