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Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery: A pioneer in farm-to-flask distilling

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery is an original craft distillery in British Columbia (BC) in Western Canada and is run by the Dyck family, who have been at home in the Okanagan Valley for five generations. The distillery was born from the idea of using 100% locally grown fruit and grain to produce world-class spirits, just a tractor ride away from the orchards and fields where the base ingredients grow. BC’s original farm-to-flask distillery now offers a selection of more than 50 internationally award-winning spirits, from single malts, BRBN bourbon-style, BC hopped and BC rye whiskies to gins, vodkas, fruit liqueurs, brandies, aquavit and even Taboo Genuine Absinthe.

Okanagan Spirits is led by Tyler Dyck, CEO of the Dyck family company, and Melissa Duncan, COO. When they’re not making world-class spirits, they spend their time modernising spirits policy in Canada. Their aim is to honour and support authenticity and terroir in everything they do – from farm to bottle. The passion, skill and creativity of master distillers Chris Burke and Francois Joubert are behind the successful variety of products and the absolute commitment to capturing the essence of the Okanagan Valley in every bottle. A visit to one of the distilleries is an unmissable experience when visiting the Okanagan Valley.

The World Class Distillery 2025 received Gold for Okanagan Cherry Liqueur, Okanagan Spirits Haskap Liqueur, Blackcurrant Liqueur 100% Craft, various single malt whiskies (1-MALT Barrelhouse Reserve, Laird of Fintry Rum Barrel Finish, Laird of Fintry Fortified Foch Finish, Laird of Fintry Fortified Foch Finish Cask Strength, Orchard Saison Whisky), Proof Whisky Collective Pear Brandy Barrel Aged, Bartlett Pear Brandy (Poire Williams), Proof Whisky Collective Pioneer Country Process and the cigar whisky Product of Okanagan Valley, Canada. Silver was awarded to Okanagan Spirits Raspberry Liqueur, Road’s End (a double-wood Pinot Noir finished bourbon-style whisky), Rye Whisky (finished in Maple-Brûlée casks), Amaro Classico 100% Craft and Cabin Gin (Green Label) 100% Craft.

Fleret Fruit – Fruitiness from the Czech orchard

Fleret is a recognised manufacturer of a broad range of fruit distillates such as damson schnapps, Williams pear schnapps, pear schnapps, apricot schnapps or cherry liqueur. More than 500,000 bottles a year are produced in Frenštát pod Radhoštem in North Moravia. The product range includes over 40 different products with an alcohol content between 30 and 50% vol. On the international market, the company established itself with the premium line, which also brought them awards at the renowned World Spirits Competition in San Francisco and International Spirits Challenge in Great Britain. In 2013, the company started with a range of redesigned distillates, with the aim of improving awareness of the products on the market.

Klippenziege: New era in the world of gin

In December 2015, four friends captured the ‘spirit’ of an idea: they were thinking about gin. Nearly a year later a small batch was bottled by hand. The individuality of a gin lies in the combination of the botanicals, in this case it is the exotic selection: mate tea, goji berries, physalis and a hint of rose. The Klippenziege is a New Western Dry Gin, in which juniper plays the main role amongst the other botanicals.

It is produced in the Habbel Distillery, which guarantees excellent quality thanks to its experience – it was established in 1878 and is now in the family’s fourth generation. The former Korn distillery in Sprockhövel with adjoining farmland is now the largest fruit distillery in the Ruhr region, as a traditional manufacturer it stands out with its attention to detail. The entire manufacturing process at Klippenziege can also be observed on-site.

The bottle and the label are also special. Designer Levent Aydin drew it carefully by hand, and then digitalised it before perfecting it. First it is printed, then coated, then stamped and embossed. The elegant result stands for friendship, solidarity and love. Working together in a friendly and familiar atmosphere connects people with a passion for life who share one important belief: that the product should encourage people to slow down, allowing for mindful enjoyment.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Mate Dry Gin.