Odd Society Spirits Releases Their Debut Single Malt Whisky, And We Want Some

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East Van’s own craft-certified Odd Society Spirits released their first ever single malt whisky yesterday. The stuff is made using 100% BC grown malted barley and matured for three years in oak barrels. Only 120 bottles are available at $50 per, and we want one! Here’s the basic skinny:

Since opening in 2013, Odd Society Spirits has made a name for itself with its Wallflower Gin and East Van Vodka but whisky has always been a priority for this micro-distillery, regularly barreling small batches from day one. The debut single malt whisky was the first whisky barreled back when they began and after three years of the required aging it’s finally ready. “We feel like proud parents,” says Gordon Glanz, Odd Society Spirits Owner and Distiller. “This is the day we have been dreaming of since my wife and I decided to take the leap—our whisky has finally matured and is ready for its debut.”

Single malt was just the beginning, as rye is soon to follow. In 2014 Odd Society also started a cask program allowing the public to own a private 30L cask and follow the aging process for three years, until it is ready to be bottled and take home. Fans of Glanz’s curious approach to spirits will be intrigued by his use of new oak for aging rye, and his experimentation with smoked malt and maple syrup barrels for upcoming limited releases.

Only two small barrels of the Odd Society Spirits first edition single malt whisky were produced and bottled. Subtle notes of vanilla grounded in plum, black currants, and tobacco are wrapped in burnt sugar and spiked with delicate pink peppercorn flavours in this special preview of things to come. Batch #1 Single Malt Whisky is sold in 500ml bottles priced at $50 exclusively at the distillery starting December 18.

Sadly, I’m told the amber-coloured stuff sold out in the first 10 minutes that it was made available yesterday, which is to say we’re hoping they kept a few bottles in reserve for their tasting bar.

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DETAILS

The tasting lounge is open: Thursday, 1PM through 7PM; Friday and Saturday, 1PM through 9PM; and Sunday, 1PM through 6PM. Tours of the distillery are offered every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 4PM.

Gallery

The Team

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Gordon Glanz, Founder & Distiller
Miriam Karp, General Manager
Joshua Beach, Production Manager & Distiller

About Odd Society Spirits

Odd Society is a small-batch craft distillery in the heart of East Van. Housed in a converted motorcycle garage on Powell Street, Odd Society Spirits is well situated in a happening craft liquor community, with neighbours including Powell Street Brewery, Parallel 49 Brewing Company, Storm Brewing, Coal Harbour Brewing and Bomber Brewing. The area is also quickly becoming a hot dining destination with popular restaurants Bistro Wagon Rouge and Kessel & March popping up just steps away from the distillery. Dedicated to combining old world distilling traditions with new world ingredients and ingenuity, Odd Society Spirits has created a family of spirits that entice and intrigue.

Founder and Distiller Gordon Glanz holds an MSc in brewing and distilling from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland where he experimented with distilling whiskey using raw grains and commercial enzymes before studying under the masters at Springbank distillery in Campbeltown.

Now back in his home town, Gordon is applying his penchant for experimentation and knowledge of tradition within the Odd Society, which he operates alongside his wife and partner, Miriam Karp, and good friend Joshua Beach.

What’s in a Name? The name ‘Odd Society’ reflects an interest to use their spirits and distillery as a way to bring together a diverse collection of creative and unique people. They wanted to make a home where guests could feel comfortable revealing their inner oddness.

The Odd Society is about experimentation, embracing change and celebrating individual and collective oddities.

This philosophy extends to their ideas about distilling. Just as any successful society is made up of a variety of distinct personalities in concert, they want each of their spirits to create a cast of unforgettable characters. From the subtle and discrete Wallflower Gin to the raw and untamed Mongrel, their family of spirits is meant to celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of the Odd Society community.

Press

Scout Magazine, Andrew Morrison – Awesome Thing We Drank

Vancouver Courier, Cheryl Rossi – Odd Society Sets Up In Brewery District

North Shore News, Tim Pawsey – Small-Batch Distiller Sets Up Shop

Wallpaper Magazine, Hadani Ditmars – Enter The Odd Society

The Vancouver Sun, Randy Shore – Odd Society’s First Product Is A Natural Grain ‘Sipping Vodka’

Beatroute, Sarah Bauer – A Fresh Crop of East Van Craft

Globe and Mail – On The Job With A Vancouver Distiller

PrevailPrevail, Prevail – Inner Spirit

Vitamin V Daily, Maria Tallarico – That’s The Spirit

Montecristo, Kimberly Budziak – Odd Society Spirits’ Crème de Cassis Royal Lineage

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