The Mission: Born from the idea of utilizing the overabundance of Okanagan fruit—perfect quality fruit that was discarded simply for cosmetic blemishes or size.

European Roots: We were born on a European/Old World model, where agricultural waste is turned into fine spirits. We are pioneers and forefathers of Craft Distilling in Canada.
What started as an experiment in harnessing the potential of world class Okanagan grown fruit and berries, has now grown to incorporate other base materials including locally grown grains such as double row malting barley, rye, wheat, and grain corn.

Taboo Genuine Absinthe is Canada’s first authentic absinthe, crafted in the traditional pre-prohibition style using original 19th-century recipes and artisanal distilling methods. Taboo celebrates the rich heritage of absinthe—once banned across much of the world, but never in Canada.

Taboo Genuine Absinthe has earned Gold at the World Spirits Awards in 2013, 2015, and 2020—an affirmation of its world-class quality and European-standard craftsmanship.

The story of Laird of Fintry Single Malt stretches back to 1924, rooted on the west shore of Okanagan Lake at the historic Fintry Estate. For more than a century, the legend of “The Laird of Fintry” has captured imaginations across the valley — a tale woven into the very fabric of Okanagan history.It begins with James Cameron Dun‑Water, the original “Laird,” who famously commissioned a private batch of personally labeled Single Malt Scotch from his homeland in the early 1900s. One surviving bottle from that secret order became the inspiration for our namesake and label — a direct link to the Okanagan’s earliest whisky heritage.

When we revived the Laird of Fintry legacy, we did so with reverence for that history. Crafted and barreled long before its inaugural lottery release in 2013, our Single Malt honours the spirit of the original Laird while ushering in a new era of Okanagan‑made whisky. It stands as a tribute to place, to story, and to the enduring craft that connects past and present.

In the heart of downtown Kelowna on Bernard Avenue, we opened our second location— a Prohibition Edition boutique craft distillery and cocktail lounge inspired by the rebellious spirit of the 1920s. This new space invites guests to step back into the era when small-batch, frontier-style distilling thrived underground, long before BC’s modern craft renaissance began.

Designed to honour both history and sustainability, the Kelowna distillery was built using reclaimed wood from the Laurel and Gellatly Bay fruit packing houses, along with a striking recycled-glass spirits countertop. Every detail pays tribute to the Okanagan’s agricultural roots while reflecting our commitment to treading lightly on the environment.

Here, the region’s terroir and our family’s Okanagan heritage come to life through a lineup of whiskies, gins, fruit liqueurs, and pre-batched premium cocktails — all crafted with the same farm-to-flask philosophy that defines BC’s Original Craft Distillery.

In 2013, the inaugural Laird of Fintry Single Malt Lottery marked the rebirth of one of the Okanagan’s most storied whisky traditions. Crafted and barreled in 2008, this first lottery offering re‑introduced the valley to a legacy that began in 1924 at the historic Fintry Estate — where the original “Laird,” James Cameron Dun‑Water, famously commissioned his own private batch of Single Malt Scotch from Scotland in the early 1900s. 

What began as a tribute to that rare surviving bottle has since grown into Canada’s most coveted and awarded Single Malt Whisky, with thousands entering the lottery each year for a chance to purchase a bottle. Over the years, the Laird of Fintry has earned international acclaim, including:

• Gold Medal – World Spirits Awards 2025 for both the Laird of Fintry Single Malt and its Cask Strength edition 
• Recognition as part of Okanagan Spirits’ World-Class Distillery designation at the 2025 World Spirits Awards 
• A reputation as Canada’s most awarded single malt, celebrated for its layers of toasted oak, vanilla, plum, raisins, caramel, and spice — shaped by American Oak aging and a French Oak Fortified Foch finish from Quails’ Gate Estate Winery 

Today, bottles of Laird of Fintry are prized by collectors, often fetching significant bids at charity auctions, and the annual lottery has become a cultural event in its own right — supporting the preservation of the historic Fintry Manor and keeping the Laird’s legacy alive. From its first release in 2013 to its gold‑medal triumphs a decade later, the Laird of Fintry stands as a testament to Okanagan craftsmanship, heritage, and the enduring spirit of BC’s whisky renaissance.

In 2015, our original flagship Vernon distillery underwent a full relocation and redesign to support growing demand and expand our whisky production — a transformation that would shape the next era of our craft. The new 16,000 sq. ft. facility became home to North America’s tallest copper pot still — a last-minute addition so impressive it required a custom “doghouse” roof extension to house its height.

Built with a 1930s-inspired production floor and a tasting area honouring the Okanagan’s orchard heritage, the distillery features a wall-sized 1918 photograph of apple pickers at Coldstream Ranch that anchors the space and reclaimed beams from the long-gone Fruit Union packinghouse — where Dyck family ancestors once worked — form a moonshiner-shack motif that nods to the valley’s past. 

Guests can explore more than 40 award-winning spirits at our 27-foot tasting bar, all crafted without artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives. The location also features an onsite Whisky lounge, offering immersive experiences that celebrate our commitment to craft, sustainability, and the Okanagan’s storied past.

In 2021, as the COVID‑19 pandemic brought in‑person tastings to a halt, our team pivoted overnight from crafting spirits to producing life‑saving hand sanitizer for frontline workers across British Columbia. With hospitals, care homes, first responders, and essential service teams facing critical shortages, our distillery stepped in — not for profit, but out of responsibility to our community.

Over the course of the pandemic, we donated more than 60,000 bottles of hand sanitizer to frontline staff, hospitals, teachers, and essential workers, ultimately contributing over $1 million worth of sanitizer to those who needed it most. Our “Harness Your Inner Superhero” pay‑it‑forward initiative ensured that every retail sale went directly back into producing more sanitizer for donation.

Supported by local partners — including Vernon breweries that supplied additional base materials — our team worked around the clock to meet the overwhelming demand. What began as an emergency response became one of the largest community‑driven sanitizer efforts in the province, reflecting the heart of our family‑run distillery: stepping up when our community needs us most.

In 2023, we launched the Proof Whisky Collective, an invitation into one of Canada’s most exclusive whisky experiences. Members receive four ultra‑limited releases each year — single‑batch, double‑wood, and triple‑wood expressions crafted solely for Club Members and unavailable anywhere else.

The club offers a suite of premium perks, including complimentary monthly whisky flights, waived tasting fees, access to member-only events, and early access to purchase the Original Laird of Fintry before the annual lottery. Each welcome package features a bespoke whisky release, cut‑crystal Glencairn glasses, and a curated whisky experience for four.

The Collective quickly became a cornerstone of our whisky community — a rare opportunity to explore the most innovative and limited expressions from Canada’s Most Awarded Craft Distillery.

2025 marked a defining moment in our distillery’s history. At the prestigious World Spirits Awards in Germany, Okanagan Spirits earned an unprecedented 11 Gold and 5 Silver medals, rising to the top in blind tastings against leading distilleries from around the globe .

Among these honours was the coveted title of “World-Class Distillery in Worldwide Whisky” — a designation awarded to only a handful of distilleries worldwide and one we were proud to bring home for Canada for the second time in a decade .Our whiskies dominated the podium, with standout Gold wins for: Laird of Fintry Rum Barrel Whisky, 1MALT Single Malt Whisky, Orchard Saison Whisky and Road’s End Whisky, created in collaboration with Martin’s Lane Winery. 

The celebration extended beyond whisky. Our spirits lineup also shone, earning Gold for Bartlett Pear Brandy (Poire Williams) — one of the world’s most challenging categories — along with top medals for Haskap Liqueur, Raspberry Liqueur, Blackcurrant Liqueur, Cherry Liqueur, Cabin Gin Lime, and Amaro Classico.

This historic achievement reflects the dedication of our family-run distillery and the strength of our farm-to-flask philosophy. With over fifty spirits crafted from 100% BC grain and fruit, our 2025 triumph stands as a testament to the Okanagan’s terroir, our team’s passion, and Canada’s place on the world stage of craft distilling.

To support growing demand and strengthen our commitment to true craft distilling, our Vernon facility expanded its production capacity with the installation of a new 2000L copper pot still — proudly manufactured in Canada by Revival Still Works. Alongside the still, six new 5,000L fermenters were added, tripling our overall production capability.

This investment reflects our dedication to authenticity, quality, and the continued evolution of our craft. By increasing capacity while maintaining our farm‑to‑flask standards, we ensure that more Canadians can enjoy the spirits that define BC’s original craft distillery.