Okanagan Spirits Wins Gold for Canada at World Spirits Awards!

Picture this: a small family-run distillery tucked away in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, surrounded by orchards and grain fields, quietly crafting spirits that end up stealing the show on a global stage. That’s exactly what happened when Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery headed to Germany for the 2025 World Spirits Awards—and came home with a haul that’s has the team a little speechless.

In a blind tasting showdown with the planet’s top distilleries, these folks from Kelowna and Vernon racked up 11 gold medals, 5 silvers, and—wait for it—the title of “World-Class Distillery in Worldwide Whisky.” That’s not just a pat on the back; it’s a crown jewel for their whisky game, and it’s the second time this decade they’ve snagged that honour. Canada's cheering, and they're wondering how they will fit all that gold in their suitcases.

Tony Dyck, the president, summed it up with a grin you can practically hear: “To represent Canada and claim the Worldwide Whisky designation again is a dream come true for our little family distillery. We’re just proud to be in the room with the world’s best.” Meanwhile, CEO Tyler Dyck admitted they’re still picking their jaws off the floor. “To sweep seven whisky categories and even nab gold for Poire Williams—a spirit that’s notoriously tough to nail—it’s beyond what we could’ve imagined.”

So, what’s their secret? It’s not just fancy stills or magic barrels (though their team, led by Chris Burke and Francois Joubert, clearly knows their stuff). Tyler’s quick to point the spotlight elsewhere: “Our local farmers deserve a huge shoutout. The grain and fruit we use—it’s all 100% BC-grown. That’s the backbone of everything we do.” From bourbon-style whisky, to single malt, rye, hopped whisky, gins, fruit liqueurs, and even Canada's original genuine absinthe, their lineup of over 50 products is a love letter to the Okanagan.

The awards list reads like a victory lap: golds for everything from the Laird of Fintry Single-Malt (aged in double-wood casks) to a cigar-blended whisky that sounds like it belongs in a detective novel. They even took top honours for a pear brandy that’s apparently the Everest of distilling. Silvers for a maple-brûlée rye and a raspberry liqueur didn’t hurt either. It's a lineup that will make you want to book a tasting at one of their two BC locations. Alternatively, you can browse their site (okanaganspirits.com) and savour a world-class, award-winning bottle from the comfort of your own home.

For a small crew from a corner of Canada, this feels like one of those underdog stories that hits you right in the chest. They’re not shouting from the rooftops about it—just quietly pouring their hearts into every bottle and letting the spirits speak for themselves. And apparently, the world’s listening.

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