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!

Copper Spirit Distillery

Neighbourhood: Bowen Island

441 Bowen Island Trunk Rd

778-895-9622

WEBSITE