Discover Nova Scotia's very own vodka distilleries.
Nova Scotia has a centuries’ long tradition of spirit appreciation, yet it wasn’t until recently that vodka joined the likes of rum and whisky as part of our local distillation culture.
Cape Breton’s Glenora Distillery, North America’s first single malt whisky distillery—producers of Glen Breton Rare Single Canadian Malt Whisky as well as Smuggler’s Cove Rum—was the first artisanal spirit company in the province. It took two decades before Lunenburg’s Ironworks joined them in 2009. Less than a decade old, the distillery, located in a heritage building near the Lunenburg waterfront, has enjoyed an immense amount of success and international praise. Their vodka is a true artisan spirit made with a “field to glass” approach or, perhaps better said, an “orchard to glass” method. Ironworks Vodka is made from Annapolis Valley grown apples, representing a growing trend in the global vodka category to use non-traditional base ingredients such as grapes and orchard fruit.
On the other side of the province, two distilleries are bringing life to rural Nova Scotia. Located in the tiny community of Arisaig, just outside of Antigonish, Steinhart Distillery is fashioning remarkably pure vodka from Maritime grown winter wheat that is sure to become the star ingredient of many cocktail recipes. The genius behind the still is German born Thomas Steinhart, whose carefully crafted vodka reflects his family’s 300 years of distilling history.
Nearby in Trenton, Pictou County, Evan MacEachern, one of the entrepreneurs behind the Nova Scotia Spirit Company, has launched Blue Lobster Vodka, a unique spirit that is already gaining a loyal following in Pictou County and across the province. A 100% grain based vodka, Blue Lobster Vodka's clean and smooth characteristic makes this premium quality spirit a cut above the rest. It's is easy to be enjoyed on its own, yet distinguishable enough to enhance any cocktail. Neutral in flavour and slightly sweet.
These Nova Scotian producers are adding a little artisanal flavour to the local spirits scene with their artfully crafted vodkas.