As a valuable public service, we crack open spirits from B.C. to Bahrain and beyond, and then give you a highly opinionated, pocket-flask-sized review.

Today’s free pour

Shelter Point Distillery Single Malt Whisky

Their words

“Shelter Point Single Malt Whisky is a classic expression made in small batches using traditional methods, pot distillation and glacier fed aquifer water. Sitting on the coast of Vancouver Island the spirit benefits from the unique influence of our geography, ocean and terroir as it ages in different select casks.”

Tasting notes

Right only wrongly—but mostly rightly—life is all about winning, and it’s the winners that we love. Shelter Point has already scored big with its wickedly-smooth Single Malt Whisky, handcrafted on Vancouver Island’s wild east coast with British Columbia-grown barley and glacier-fed aquifer water. The distillery headed to the 2022 edition of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition with big dreams, and came home with a wildly coveted double-gold nod in the Canadian Whisky category.

There’s little arguing that the judges got things anything less than right, with Shelter Point Single Malt smelling seductively of burnt orange peel and bruised chocolate mint. Consider that a tip-off that delicate is a great starting descriptor for a whisky that tastes of beautifully understated buttery caramel, Sumatra Mandheling coffee, West Coast sea foam, citrus oil, and freshly ground all-spice. Shelter Point Single Malt might punch in at a statement-making 46 percent ABV, but there’s nothing overbearing about it. Instead think velvety softness from first sip to the sinfully-sweet finish. A winner? Absolutely and indisputably.

Cocktail Time

Understandably, proud West Coasters—which is to say, well, all of us—will argue that a whisky produced on the rugged West Coast should make use of wild and local ingredients when it’s cocktail time. Like, for example, fresh spruce tips, smoked cedar chips, or freshly pressed forest huckleberries. Instead, let’s look to our friends down south—as in the, um, ever-colourful American South—for inspiration, namely a Pecan Whisky Sour. And make sure you crush those pecans. As proven by Shelter Point’s triumphant Single Malt Whisky, a little attention to detail goes a long way.

Pecan Whisky Sour

2 oz. Shelter Point whisky
1⁄2 oz. pecan simple syrup
1⁄2 oz. egg whites
Juice of 1⁄2 a navel orange
Pinch of cinnamon

Measure and pour all ingredients into a Boston Shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass tumbler with or without ice. Garnish with a flambéed or twisted orange peel.