A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

Drinker Bowen Island

A Look Inside the Brand New ‘Copper Spirit Distillery’ on Bowen Island

Portrait


The very good looking Copper Spirit Distillery just launched on Bowen Island. Michelle Sproule and I were able to peek in on our way to La Mezcaleria’s fabulous long table dinner at Home Farm and she took a bunch of photos between sips of a cocktail.

The brand new distillery is from first-timers Candice and Miguel Kabantsov, who’ve been at it for a very long time, having purchased the property for this purpose nearly five years ago. They’ve so far produced a vodka and a rye, both of which are now available for tasting and purchase. They also have a gin in the works that I’m really curious about, as Candice apparently likes to play and experiment with local botanicals. (Oh, and there’s a whiskey they’ve already put to bed. It won’t awake from its maturation slumber for another three years.)

The space is simple and beautiful (I love the copper chairs, the German copper stills and the open air spaces at the front and back), the product tastes good, and the branding is super tight. It being the silly season of summer, we watched the room quickly fill with the ferry line-up — it was all hands on deck.

Frankly, I’d much prefer to have the whole operation around the corner from my house, but I’m ok with it being another good reason to visit Bowen!

    Directions
    Copper Spirit Distillery
    Neighbourhood: Bowen Island
    441 Bowen Island Trunk Rd
    778-895-9622
    WEBSITE

    There is 1 comment

    Drinker

    See more from Drinker
    Drinker Downtown

    Canada Lands Eight Spots Again as Vancouver Hosts North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026

    Vancouver shows up strong this year, with four bars on the list and The Keefer Bar climbing to No.7 to lead the country. Newcomer June makes an immediate entry, adding to a lineup that reflects the depth and graft behind the city’s bar scene.
    Drinker

    Scout’s 2026 Mapped Guide to ‘North America’s 50 Best Bars’ Pop-ups, Takeovers & Exclusive Cocktail Events in Vancouver

    North America's best bartenders are landing in Vancouver. Prepare accordingly. This is your no-nonsense guide to the pop-ups, takeovers, and one-night-only happenings April 19-23, 2026
    Drinker Main Street

    Burdock & Co’s Wine Director on Storytelling and Cutting the Stiffness Out of Service

    Spend a few minutes with Maisie Ryan and it becomes clear she’s not interested in putting wine on a pedestal. The Burdock & Co wine director knows the details, but her approach skips the script and goes straight to story, curiosity, and making sure the room is having a good time.
    Drinker

    Kalisha Glover Wins El Tequileño Cocktail Competition with “Freedom of Colour” — See the Highlights

    Glover’s winning cocktail, ‘Freedom of Colour’, pulled inspiration from Frida Kahlo’s 'Still Life with Parrot and Fruit' by using the painting’s bold colours and vibrant arrangement of fruit, including watermelon, orange, passionfruit and lime to translate her idea of what Mexico means into the glass.

    The Scout Community

    Become a member