The GOODS from Ampersand Distilling Co.

Duncan, BC | For the fourth consecutive year, Ampersand Distilling Co. has received the award for Audience Favourite Vodka at BC Distilled, the province’s premiere artisan distillery festival. After years of industry and public acclaim for their sought-after vodka and gin, the family-owned distillery prepares to expand the brand further with a 2019 release of Imperative Dry Vermouth next month.

Based in the Cowichan Valley, Ampersand Distilling Co. was founded by the Schacht family in 2014. With a family background in engineering, the Schacht’s created Ampersand Distilling Co. to combine their scientific knowledge with traditional distilling techniques and organic farming to produce handcrafted small-batch spirits.

Despite the company’s skyrocketing popularity, the Schachts have a continued dedication to crafting their spirits in small batches using the stills they built from scratch. Producing award-winning spirits in small batches ensures impurities are removed so the taste of each grain and botanical can shine through. The result: a high-quality organic product line with distinctive flavours that have earned Ampersand multiple accolades and a loyal fan base.

In May, the company is excited to release its 2019 Imperative Dry Vermouth in collaboration with Rathjen Cellars. An exclusive B.C. dry vermouth, this year’s release is made with organically harvested Ortega and Petite Milo grapes grown on the Saanich Paninsula; wormwood harvested from Ampersand’s very own five-acre farm; as well as other organic and wild harvested botanicals. The vermouth will be available for purchase at select private liquor stores; Rathjen Cellars tasting room in Victoria; and can be sampled at farmers markets, fine bars and restaurants throughout the province.

The distillery’s flagship product is the award-winning Ampersand Gin, a floral- and citrus-forward spirit that combines organic B.C. grown wheat with eight wild-harvested botanicals. Named B.C.’s Best Gin at BC Distilled in 2016, 2017 and 2018; Ampersand Gin also earned a Gold Medal with Distinction at the 2019 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC) Awards; and received a Double Gold at the NorthWest Wine Summit in 2016, among other top honours.

Ampersand also produces Per Se Vodka, crafted with organic B.C.-grown wheat that is milled, fermented and distilled before being diluted with spring water sourced from their farm. Boasting a creamy mouthfeel and slight sweetness, the vodka was awarded a Gold Medal with Distinction at the 2019 CASC; earned the title of B.C.’s Best Vodka at BC Distilled in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019; and won the Vancouver International Spirits Competition in 2016.

Ampersand’s most recent product is Nocino!, an Italian-style green walnut liqueur made with walnuts hand-picked in the Cowichan Valley, sweetened with local honey and spiced with cinnamon. Still in its infancy, the liqueur scooped up a Gold Medal at the 2019 CASC Awards.

Visitors to the Cowichan Valley can try Ampersand Distilling Co.’s spirits at the onsite tasting room, open by appointment only. The company also shares its products each Saturday at the Duncan Farmers Market. For more information, visit Ampersanddistilling.com.

About Ampersand Distilling Co. | Ampersand Distilling Co. is a family founded craft distillery located on a five-acre organic farm in the Cowichan Valley. Though trained as engineers, the Schacht family have used their knowledge of science and traditional distilling techniques to create a handcrafted distillery where they can make handcrafted spirits. Like the Ampersand, the team are all about bringing things together: ingredients and techniques; science and art; tradition and innovation. Ampersand Distilling Co. makes delicious spirits designed to be a staple on your bar.

Ampersand Distilling Co.

Region: The Islands

4077 Lanchaster Rd., Duncan

250-737-1880

WEBSITE