Distilleries in Ontario

Wayne Gretzky Estates

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Wayne Gretzky Estates sits in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, where the nation’s finest icewine meets a whisky programme that could make a seasoned judge blink twice. Built on the grandfather’s old-world winemaking know-how and the Great One’s obsessive drive, the place delivers icewine at a temperature that makes it taste like a glacial slap and whisky distilled with a precision usually reserved for Swiss watches.

• Whisky production quality is highly impressive
• Delicious smoked meat pizza is available

Niagara Distillery

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Just a stone's throw from Niagara Falls, the Niagara Distillery slaps together centuries-old inspiration and science to churn out spirits that could make a monk weep. Six elixirs line the shelves – daring as an act and precise as a Swiss watch. Whether you sip it neat or toss it into a cocktail, you get bold flavours that refuse to apologise, proving that tradition and innovation can share a dram without tripping over each other.

• Live music outside creates a good vibe
• Beer choices are very good

Barnstormer Brewing & Distilling Co.

Barrie, Ontario

Barnstormer Brewing & Distilling Co, in Barrie, Ontario, isn’t a vapour-bottled shrine. It’s a place where the idea of “precision with flair” gets turned into genuinely good all-natural, unfiltered beer. No rush, no pasteurisation, just honest craft.

• Variety of craft beers, including collaborations
• Cozy atmosphere with airplane decor

Reid's Distillery

Toronto, Ontario

Reid's Distillery in Toronto is the sort of place that makes you wonder if anyone's ever managed to get drunk on a bottle of water. Their gin, a relentless parade of botanical bravado, has hoarded more awards than a trophy cabinet at a celebrity wedding, and they don’t stop at the spirit itself. From cocktail kits that look like they were designed by a futurist bartender to bar tools that could double as decorative weaponry, the catalogue is a playground for anyone with a decent palate and a sense of mischief.

• Reid's offers a cocktail workshop experience
• Learning gin-making process is part of classes

Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery

Ayr, Ontario

Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery sits amid the fields of Ayr, Ontario, and it feels like a genuine attempt to turn soil into spirit without pretension. This first-generation operation grows, malts, distils and brews everything on site, pulling a straight line from earth to glass. Their gin-forward cocktails surprise with botanicals that behave like well-trained circus animals, while the farm-crafted beers deliver a rustic honesty you can taste in every sip.

• Crafted cocktails with unique flavors available
• Distillery-made Gin drinks are really great

Wolfhead Distillery & Restaurant

Amherstburg, Ontario

Wolfhead Distillery sits in Amherstburg, Ontario, and it’s not content to sip tea while wearing tweed. This outfit takes Canadian craft spirits and gives them a boot-kick, churning out whiskey, vodka and gin that have already gathered a shelf full of awards. The founders mine local grains and botanicals, turning modest farm produce into liquid fireworks that make you question why every other brand pretends to be artisanal. Their philosophy is simple: if it isn’t daring, it’s boring, and a dash of swagger.

• Delicious peanut butter flavored liquor
• Unique flavored whiskies and vodkas available

Hiram Walker & Sons Limited

Windsor, Ontario

Hiram Walker & Sons in Windsor, Ontario, is where a century-old distilling tradition gets a jolt of sensibility. The hum of copper pot stills is accompanied by a crew that swaps stories over Lot No. 40, a rye-forward whisky that could wake the dead, and Ungava gin, bright enough to make botanicals blush. Their Canadian wines are crisp, the grain sourced locally, and the whole operation runs like a lab, constantly tweaking mash bills and flirting with oak finishes.

• In-depth Canadian whisky history and production.
• Comprehensive tasting sessions with flavor profiles.

Spirit of York Distillery Co.

Toronto, Ontario

Spirit of York in Toronto doesn’t bother with mystique; it simply makes the best-tasting whisky, gin and rum you’ll ever sip. Their mantra is transparency and tenacity, a rare combo that means they show you every step from grain to glass. No shortcuts, no smoke-screens – each bottle is poured and sealed by hand, as if a craftsman were signing his autograph. The result? Spirits that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with anything from the great distilling capitals, without pretentious fluff.

• Craft cocktails made to order with high-quality spirits
• Distillery has a happy hour

Kinsip House Of Fine Spirits

Prince Edward, Ontario

Kinsip House of Fine Spirits in Prince Edward, Ontario, is the county's lone grain-to-glass operation. Maria and Michael run the place like a factory on a farm, growing the barley and rye themselves before marching it straight into stills. The result is a line-up that includes a gin so crisp it could shave foam from a latte, a whisky that matures with the patience of a monk, and liqueurs that flirt with fruit without being pretentious.

• Farm atmosphere with roaming peacocks and chickens
• Rustic and peaceful setting for whiskey tasting

Dillon's Small Batch Distillers

Lincoln, Ontario

Right in Lincoln, Ontario, Dillon's Small Batch Distillers whacks out spirits the way a chef would a steak – no shortcuts, just copper pot stills and ingredients from their garden or the neighbour's plot. The lot insist on local fruit, grapes, grains and botanicals, turning each harvest into a bottle that sounds like the farmers whispered into the glass. Honest, unpretentious craftsmanship that would make even the snootiest connoisseur blush.

• Distillery produces hand sanitizer during pandemic
• Variety of products available for tasting

The Ward Bar at Spring Mill Distillery

Guelph, Ontario

• Historic surroundings complement the distillery's charm
• Distillery tours offer colourful descriptions and stories

Limited Distillery

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Limited Distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake treats distilling like a mad laboratory instead of a hobby. They shun safety for curiosity, cranking out tiny batches that each develop their own swagger – blink and you’ll miss a release. A hulking 175-gallon copper beast and cypress fermenters do the heavy lifting, while the crew experiments with everything from crisp infused vodkas to a cheeky cherry-sour that tastes like a summer party in a glass.

• Specialty drinks and infused vodka are popular
• Fabulous cocktails and spirits are offered

Junction 56 Distillery

Stratford, Ontario

Junction 56 Distillery in Stratford, Ontario, punches the booze world with a blend of old-school copper stills and sleek, computer-controlled equipment. They harvest local grains, then subject them to a distillation ritual that feels part alchemy, part laboratory, producing vodka so clean it could wash a car and whisky so smooth it makes you wonder whether the barley ever saw a field. Every batch is handcrafted, small-scale, and stamped with a precision that would make a watchmaker blush.

• Unique whisky offerings are available
• Black Raspberry Gin is a standout product

Forty Creek Distillery

Grimsby, Ontario

Forty Creek in Grimsby, Ontario, smugly reminds you Canadian whisky has been pulling a quiet miracle for decades. Born in Niagara, it now operates with boxer swagger, blending patience with a mischievous urge to experiment. The flagship Confederation Oak sits on the shelf like a well-trained thoroughbred — layered and smooth. The cream liqueurs follow suit: a cinnamon-swirled treat that feels like a bakery in a bottle and a maple-infused ‘Oh Canada’ that is patriotic without becoming syrupy.

• Annual whisky weekend with live music and events.
• Informative and engaging distillery tours available.

Spirit in Niagara Distillery

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Spirit in Niagara is a small operation on the outskirts of Niagara-on-the-Lake, churning out small-batch spirits that taste like something. They harvest fallen apricots, peaches and other local fruit from their farms, turning waste into eau de vie that captures the fruit’s pure essence — no pretentious nonsense, just fruit in a bottle. The same local grains feed a whisky line that is both smooth and surprisingly complex, proving that size isn’t the only thing that matters.

• Unique craft-distilled options available
• Dozen+ spirit offerings for tastings

Top Shelf Distillers

Perth, Ontario

Perth, Ontario is the home of Top Shelf Distillers, a workshop where Canadian craft spirits get a splash of daring. They marry old copper stills with experiments, churning out whiskies that taste of the Rockies, dessert liqueurs that could sweeten a dentist’s lunch, and moonshine so inventive it includes dill pickle — yes, you read that right. Their #MoreTrees programme isn’t a marketing gimmick; each bottle you buy funds a tree somewhere in the wilderness, proving a good dram can be good for the planet.

• Open on holidays with normal operating hours.
• Unique moonshine flavors, including dill pickle.

Elora Distilling Company

Elora, Ontario

Elora Distilling Company in Elora, Ontario is the sort of place that makes you wonder if the founders are alchemists rather than distillers. Their award-winning spirits are brewed on site from locally sourced grains and botanicals, a meticulous process that turns humble farm produce into liquid gold. Housed in an elegant, historic building, the distillery feels less like a museum and more like a gentleman’s club for the discerning palate, offering private events and tours that scream sophistication without the pretentious bow ties.

• They brew their own spirits on site
• Local cocktails are available on the menu

Dixon's Distilled Spirits

Guelph, Ontario

Dixon’s Distilled Spirits in Guelph, Ontario, punches through the usual boutique hype with actual skill. This award-winning outfit whips up small-batch vodkas, gins and whiskies using locally sourced grains and fruit, proving terroir isn’t just for wine snobs. The result is a lineup of smooth, daring flavours that don’t need a pretentious back-story to justify themselves – though they do have enough character to keep the purists humming.

• Variety of flavored vodkas, gins, and whiskies.
• Blueberry gin is a standout favorite.

Spy Cider House and Distillery

Clarksburg, Ontario

Spy Cider House & Distillery in Clarksburg, Ontario, is the sort of place that pretends you’ve stumbled onto a secret society of fermenters and still-operators, and you’d be right. They grow the apples in their own orchard, press them on the premises and churn out ciders that change with the seasons faster than a fashion runway, while the spirits are distilled with a precision that would make a Swiss watchmaker blush.

• Seasonal cider offerings are highly appreciated
• Flights of cider and spirits are available

Legend Spirits Company

Parry Sound, Ontario

By the Seguin River in Parry Sound, Ontario, Legend Spirits Company converted a 15,000-sq-ft former jam factory into a temple of liquid bravery. Master distillers Andrii Svyrydov and Dan Ferchat fuse copper-still tradition with ideas that would make a chemist blush – Peanut Butter Whisky, Watermelon Vodka, all in cheeky small batches. The space feels like a loft that suddenly got warm, with a restaurant and cocktail bar staring out over the water like an aristocrat eyeing the masses.

• Renovated spaces with scenic river views.
• Creative, distillery-specific cocktails using house spirits.

Nickel 9 Distillery

Toronto, Ontario

Nickel 9 Distillery in Toronto’s gritty Junction district is a curiosity factory, churning out gin, vodka, rum and whisky in small batches that actually taste like they were made by someone who knows botanicals. They raid local farms for fruit, grain and herbs, then let those ingredients argue for dominance in each aromatic burst. The open-plan tasting room is an arena where glass clinks like a smug symphony, and bartenders fling hand-crafted bitters and seasonal syrups at you like circus performers.

• Garden gimlet and signature cocktails impress guests
• Patio offers fresh outdoor sipping experience

Union Ten Distilling Co.

London, Ontario

Union Ten Distilling Co., London, Ontario, is the sort of place where a fair amount of effort actually goes into whisky. Their motto — pause with purpose — meets reality in the form of a hard-working crew taking a step back to focus on family and let the bottles do the talking.

• Union Ten's cocktail classes offer unique spirits.
• Emphasis on learning easy recipes at home.

Paradigm Spirits Co.

London, Ontario

Paradigm Spirits Co. sits in the refurbished 100 Kellogg Lane building in London, Ontario, a nod to the site’s former cereal-making days but with a lot more kick. Since its 2020 launch, the boutique operation has been hammering out artisan-grade spirit after spirit in gleaming copper stills, marrying old-world patience with a dash of lab-coat innovation. The lineup reads like a well-ordered toolbox: whisky that charms the palate, vodka so silky you could glide across a skating rink, gin that smells like a garden in full bloom, and cocktail bitters that could coax a smile from a statue.

• Unique cocktails are a specialty here
• Top-notch spirits are crafted on site

Murphy's Law Distillery Ltd.

Elmira, Ontario

Murphy's Law Distillery in Elmira, Ontario, treats craft spirit seriously. They’ve pledged sustainability, buying barley and other ingredients from neighbouring farms and slashing carbon footprints. Glass, cardboard and plastic are recycled diligently. Appalachian Shine roots give the moonshine a pedigree, yet today the bottles sit proudly on shelves from Ontario to the Maritimes. They even run a community programme that shows locals how to turn spent grain into fresh biscuits, proving waste can be delicious.

• Variety of Moonshine flavours available
• Informative tour of the distillery process

VODKOW-Dairy Distillery

Mississippi Mills, Ontario

Vodkow, perched in Mississippi Mills, Ontario, has taken the genteel idea of recycling and turned it into something you can actually enjoy. Instead of letting milk sugars rot in a barn, the crew captures that sweet waste and ferments it into a vodka so smooth it makes the usual grain-based stuff look like a cheap knock-off. The result is an award-winning spirit that not only pads the pockets of dairy farmers but also gives the environment a brief moment of gratitude. Their lactose-free cream liqueurs, built from the ground up, flaunt flavours forged in partnership with local artisans, proving that “artisan” doesn’t always mean pretentious.

• Unique vodka made from milk as primary sugar source
• Infused creamy liqueurs with distinct flavors available

Wild Lot Farm Distillery

Prince Edward, Ontario

On 35 acres of Prince Edward County sits Wild Lot Farm Distillery, a century-old dairy barn and tractor shed reborn as a laboratory for small-batch spirits. The vibe is half farmyard, half avant-garde, with local, often up-cycled ingredients doing the heavy lifting. Here restraint fuels invention: gin and vodka receive judicious doses of spice, while a bespoke Negroni mix proves that simplicity can still surprise. Sustainability isn’t a marketing line; it’s baked into the foundations.

• Spice infused gin and vodka editions available
• Unique Negroni mix offered

Copperhead Distillery

Sundridge, Ontario

Copperhead Distillery, perched in Sundridge, Ontario, churns a surprisingly varied range of handcrafted spirits. Their moonshines come in flavours as daring as pumpkin-pie and apple-pie, proving dessert can be drunk. A spiced rum with enough Caribbean swagger to make a pirate blush and a vanilla-infused vodka that whispers rather than shouts round out the core lineup. Every drop is produced in copper stills with quality ingredients, and the brand eschews the pretentious habit of cask-aging, keeping the spirit raw and immediate.

• Unique moonshine flavors are available
• Distilled alcohol options are not cask-aged

Last Straw Distillery

Vaughan, Ontario

Last Straw Distillery in Vaughan, Ontario is a cheeky revolt against pretentious boutique trends – a band of family and friends who turned a harebrained scheme into a respectable spirit line-up. They skip glossy labels and focus on whisky, gin, vodka and rum that taste like they were drawn from a cellar. Each batch receives meticulous care, making you suspect they’ve been sipping their own product, and the whole operation feels more neighbourly than corporate.

• Unique Mandakini flavor options available
• Exclusive carrier of Taika and Nadan Charayam

NB Distillers

Welland, Ontario

NB Distillers sits in Welland, Ontario, smack-dab in the Niagara region, where they’ve turned grain-to-glass into a religion. This isn’t a factory line – it’s a workshop for the obsessive, churning out ultra-premium vodka, gin, rum and whiskey in boutique-sized batches. Every bottle starts with fresh Ontario grain, water and botanicals, so the liquid feels as Canadian as a maple leaf on a cold morning. Their community talk masks a genuine commitment to local farms and keeping the craft alive.

• Unique rose gin is a notable offering
• Red Admiral vodka is exceptionally smooth

Durham Distillery Ltd.

Ajax, Ontario

Durham Distillery, a family-run outfit in Ajax, Ontario, actually knows how to make tiny-batch spirit that tastes like the Canadian wild, not a laboratory concoction. They cling to copper pot stills, pull barley, wheat and botanicals from local farms, and add nothing artificial. The payoff is a vodka so pure you could drink the water, a gin that treats juniper with respect, a line of liqueurs and a moonshine that proves prohibition was a bad idea. Their Reaper Vodka is the kind of product that makes the word ‘artisan’ feel mandatory.

• Unique Reaper Vodka is a standout product
• Distillery produces a wide range of products

Stillus Craft Distillery

Prince Edward, Ontario

Stillus Craft Distillery, perched on the outskirts of Prince Edward, Ontario, treats boutique whisky with a swagger that would make a nobleman blush. They harvest grain from nearby farms, wash it down with limestone-filtered well water, and feed it into a hand-crafted Tuscan copper still that looks like a renaissance painting. The result is a whisky that screams Ontario terroir while staying stubbornly traditional, each cask a tiny rebellion against mass-market mediocrity.

• Award winning pinery gin is a notable offering
• Flights of spirits include liqueurs and vodka options

Maverick Distillery Outlet

Oakville, Ontario

Maverick Distillery, based in Oakville, Ontario, shuns the glitter-and-gold hype of mass-market booze and goes straight for honest, home-grown character. They pull local grains, pure spring water and a dash of Canadian stubbornness into copper stills, applying techniques that haven’t changed since your great-grandfather was still a boy. The result is a line of spirits that feel like they’ve been cut from the same rugged cloth as the country itself.

• Maverick offers unique Barnburner whiskey
• TAG Vodka is exceptionally smooth

North Spirit Distillery

Toronto, Ontario

North Spirit Distillery, perched in the bustle of Toronto, proves that you don’t need a sprawling estate to brew character. This small-batch outfit churns out an After Six Vodka that’s as smooth and confident as a silk-tongued diplomat and has the kind of awards that make other vodkas look like amateur hour. Their whiskies and bourbons stride in with bold, warm bravado, while the Ukrainian Horilka, overseen by a genuine Master Distiller, treats tradition with reverent cheek. Add a mischievous bison-grass vodka, a honey-kissed Queen Bee vodka, and a line-up of surprisingly tasty canned cocktails, and you’ve got a portfolio that winks at heritage while daring to be different.

• Unique bison grass vodka stands out.
• Smooth 100-proof vodka, surprisingly sippable.

Manns Distillery

Brantford, Ontario

Manchester? No — Mann's Distillery, sitting in Brantford, Ontario, whips up hand-distilled spirits the way a master chef crafts a perfect steak — without the pretentious garnish. Every batch rebels against mass-produced booze, built from locally sourced grains and botanicals that would make a farmer weep with pride. The result is a line of liquids that balance flavour and fire, their devotion to community and relentless innovation keeps locals cheering, suitable for a rowdy night out or a solitary stare into the fireplace.

• Unique flavor profiles in spirits.
• Creative, beautifully presented cocktails.

King's Lock Craft Distillery

Johnstown, Ontario

King's Lock Craft Distillery in Johnstown, Ontario, claims the title of Ontario’s first 100% organic and kosher producer, and wears that badge without pretension. By insisting on locally sourced organic grains, they’ve forged a range of spirits that crackle with authenticity – from a rye that punches you awake to a gin as crisp as a winter morning. Every drop is distilled in gleaming copper pot stills, a nod to old-school craftsmanship wrapped in sustainability.

• Locally sourced grains used in production.
• Unique vodka flavors like Garlic and Ginger.

Crosscut Distillery

Greater Sudbury, Ontario

Crosscut Distillery, sitting in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, has managed the impossible: a lineup that could make even the most jaded spirit snob raise an eyebrow. Their passionfruit liqueur is as sweet as a summer fling, while the moonshine bites back with the kind of spiciness that makes you wonder if they’ve been feeding it jalapeños for breakfast. Gin, vodka, whiskey – all produced with a blend of old-school respect for the grain and a willingness to tinker that would make a mad scientist proud. The result is a collection of craft spirits that tell a story louder than any pretentious tasting note.

• Unique tasting bar option available for events
• Variety of different spirits to try and taste

Silver Fox Distillery

Arthur, Ontario

Mark and Lisa Townsend thought the world could use an excuse to drink, so they founded Silver Fox Distillery in Arthur, Ontario. The outfit has racked up awards for its craft spirits, using locally sourced wheat, barley and rye to churn out their trademark 3-grain White Lightning Moonshine – a punchy brew that could revive a statue. The Townsends treat nearby farms as a pantry, adding fruit and unusual botanicals to a line of liqueurs and gins that are daring without being pretentious.

• Locally sourced ingredients used in production
• Unique botanicals and real fruits added to spirits

Bare Bones Distillery

Prince Edward, Ontario

Bare Bones Distillery in Prince Edward, Ontario, tosses the rulebook and lets farm-fresh produce do the heavy lifting. Vodka, gin and a rotating line of canned cocktails emerge from micro-batches that change faster than a reality-TV season, each a concise lesson in quality meeting stubborn creativity. The distillers shun flash, preferring clean, balanced flavours that make you wonder why anyone would ever muddle a drink with cheap nonsense.

• High-quality ingredients used in craft spirits
• Unique cocktail menu with seasonal flavors

4 Degrees Brewing & Distilling

Smiths Falls, Ontario

4 Degrees Brewing & Distilling in Smiths Falls is a no-fuss operation that still delivers beer worth the price.

• Offers rotating seasonal ciders with unique flavors.
• Unique spiral potato sticks side dish option.

Black's Distillery

Peterborough, Ontario

Black's Distillery, just beyond the noisy streets of Peterborough, Ontario, occupies a modest warehouse where the only roar comes from the stills and the smell of charred oak and fermenting grain. A tight-knit crew handles each tiny batch like surgeons, shunning mass-production hype. The copper stills, old enough to have a personality, whisper centuries-old alchemy into every drop, while the team insists on locally sourced grains and pure water — no pretentious garnish allowed.

• Award-winning spirits
• Expert knowledge of distilling process

North of 7 Distillery

Ottawa, Ontario

North of 7 Distillery, just north of Ottawa’s downtown, claims the city’s first craft distillery badge. They handle grain, mash, fermentation and distillation all in-house – rarer than a decent cup of tea in a boardroom. Using locally sourced grains and raw ingredients, they mash tradition with a dash of mad-science, producing spirits that taste like someone actually cares about flavour, not just Instagram likes.

• Unique gin flavors are offered
• Canadian whiskey has great aging potential

Persian Empire Distillery

Peterborough, Ontario

Persian Empire Distillery, perched in Peterborough, Ontario, is the province’s second craft distillery and proudly carries a four-generation pedigree. They mash up Persian heritage with modern alchemy, churning out pomegranate-tinged liqueurs and coffee-aged spirits that sound more like exotic experiments than marketing fluff. Their flagship, Arak Saggi, is a no-nonsense Persian spirit that would make a sultan smile, while the bottle design looks like it was drafted by an art-school rebel.

• Unique libations like Saggi highlighted.
• Superior coconut rum stands out.

Beattie's Distillers

New Tecumseth, Ontario

Beattie's Distillers in New Tecumseth, Ontario, is the sort of place that makes you wonder why anyone would bother with grain when a humble spud can produce something so elegant. Five generations of the same family tend the fields, mash, and stills under one roof, turning potatoes into a vodka that’s as smooth as a well-lubed piston yet completely gluten-free, a gin that carries a whisper of Scottish heritage, and a poitín that feels like a secret handshake from the old country. Their “farm-to-bottle” ethic isn’t a marketing gimmick; it guarantees that every drop has been shepherded from soil to spirit by the same hands that planted the seed.

• High-quality vodka with smooth, burn-free taste.
• Suitable for those with GERD reflux concerns.

Dunrobin Distilleries Ltd.

Vankleek Hill, Ontario

Dunrobin Distilleries, perched in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, takes the lofty notion of “local” and turns it into a respectable, if slightly smug, art form. They harvest organic grains and botanicals from the surrounding farms, then crank out small-batch whiskies that mature in odd-shaped wooden casks, each giving a caramel-vanilla-oak chorus that sings longer than a pop ballad. Their gin, meanwhile, is a botanical showdown that actually wins awards instead of just winning buzzwords.

• Collaboration with Royal Oak is exceptional.
• Velvety texture and long, satisfying finish.

SFR Distillery

Ottawa, Ontario

SFR Distillery in Ottawa, Ontario, shuns subtlety in favour of sheer audacity. Their corn-forward whisky snarls with banana and caramel — if you think whisky is just a warm hug, this will knock you off your stool. The copper-pot gin snaps like a citrus-charged pistol, a chili liqueur brings the heat of a bad temper, an orange liqueur brightens a margarita better than a sunrise, and a peppermint-and-spice green elixir proves a drink can have a sense of humour.

• Visible brewery equipment adds industrial charm.
• Creative drink specials for events.

Distillerie Rheault Distillery

Unorganized North Cochrane District, Ontario

Rheault Distillery sits in the wilds of Northern Ontario’s Unorganized North Cochrane District, and it does one thing exceptionally well: turning grain into liquid gold without any of the pretentious nonsense you’d expect from a boutique. The place is a tiny, no-frills operation where home-grown barley and rye are mashed, fermented, and distilled in truly small batches, each cask supervised like a stubborn teenager. Every bottle bears the unmistakable scent of fresh-cut wheat, a reminder that the grain never left the province.

• Unique vodka and gin flavors offered
• Locally sourced ingredients used in production

Polonée Distillery Inc.

St. Catharines, Ontario

Polonée Distillery, perched in St. Catharines, Ontario, is the love-child of a Polish émigré and a Canadian penchant for over-engineering. Here centuries-old Polish distillation rites meet the pragmatic efficiency of the North, yielding spirits that could make a purist weep and a snob blush. The operation sits amid the vineyards of Niagara Wine Country, yet refuses to hide behind marketing; every drop is brewed from natural ingredients, no artificial flavours, and processed in small-batch, artisanal fashion. Their Canadian-Polish heritage-inspired craft vodka is as crisp as a winter sunrise over the Great Lakes.

• Family-owned distillery with exceptional spirits.
• Canadian-Polish heritage-inspired craft vodka.

O'Kenny Craft Spirits Pembroke

Pembroke, Ontario

• Offers tranquil Muskrat River paddle tours
• Family‑friendly activity with children accommodated

J.P. Wiser's Experience

Windsor, Ontario

• Beautiful storefront rich in history and character.
• Distillery tour offers insight into whisky production.

Copper Rose Distillery

Windsor, Ontario

At Copper Rose in Windsor, the team takes the art of spirit-making so seriously you’d think they were calibrating a space-launch. They source only top-grade Ontario rye and pure water, then run the mash through a twelve-stage distillation marathon, polishing the liquid into a velvet-smooth vodka that would make even the most jaded palate sit up. No shortcuts, no shortcuts — each batch is hand-crafted on site, a rare display of dedication in a world of mass-produced mediocrity.

• Copper Rose vodka is distilled an impressive 12 times
• Local roots in Windsor, Ontario, set it apart

Georgian Bay Spirit Co.

Collingwood, Ontario

Georgian Bay Spirit Co., perched in Collingwood, Ontario, has turned the humble act of distilling into something heroic. This award-winning outfit fancies itself a pioneer of sustainability, rolling out Canada’s first paper spirit bottle – a clever gimmick that actually trims the carbon footprint. The operation runs on small-batch precision, with a crew that treats green credentials not as a marketing ploy but as genuine obsession. The result is a lineup that feels exclusive and responsibly crafted, earning more nods than a polite dinner guest.

• Unique small-batch Negroni and Cosmopolitan cocktails.
• Famous Georgian Bay Vodka Smash perfection.

Smoke & Gamble Wines and Spirits

Norfolk, Ontario

• Masterful live music performances are often featured
• Baco wine is a unique and popular offering

Still Waters Distillery

Vaughan, Ontario

Established in 2009 in Vaughan, Ontario, Still Waters Distillery is one of Canada’s first genuine craft operations, and it wears that badge with an unapologetic swagger. They churn out small-batch whiskies and a handful of other spirits with a precision that makes you wonder if the monks are secretly behind the stills. Every drop is a lesson in patience and pride, and the bottling feels more like a ceremony than a commercial exercise.

• Premium product for restaurants and bars.
• Excellent whiskey and hidden gem status.

Heretic Spirits

Collingwood, Ontario

Heretic Spirits in Collingwood, Ontario, is the kind of place that pretends the spirit world needs a revolution — and actually delivers it. They refuse to settle for supermarket botanicals, opting instead for the very best plants, sourced from nearby farms, with a reverence for terroir, which they mash, ferment, and redistill in minute batches that would make a jeweler blush. The result? An award-winning gin so fragrant it could coax a rose into singing, and a vodka so silky you’d swear it was filtered through a cloud.

• Heretic produces high-quality local spirits
• Distillery tour is knowledgeable and friendly

drippCAN SPIRITS

Mississauga, Ontario

In Mississauga, Ontario, drippCAN SPIRITS is the sort of place that scoffs at the notion that good whisky must come from a misty Scottish loch, opting instead for a Mediterranean flair filtered through Canadian rigor. The team digs out dusty, handwritten recipes – the kind you’d expect to find in an old chef’s notebook – and gives them a 21st-century polish, churning out spirits that feel both nostalgic and daring. Their BERRYCELLO bursts with strawberry exuberance, a cheeky reminder that fruit can be as bold as a brass band, while the rest of the range wields the same blend of heritage and invention.

• Smooth vodka with light floral notes
• Extremely smooth texture and taste

Canadian Mist Distillers

Collingwood, Ontario

Canadian Mist Distillers, perched on the breezy edge of Georgian Bay in Collingwood, Ontario, has been turning local grain and crystal-clear water into liquid gold since 1967. The outfit refuses to chase gimmicks, instead letting pristine water and honest barley do the heavy lifting, delivering a whisky that slides across the palate with the understated charm of a well-behaved butler. The facility itself is a tidy, no-nonsense operation, where copper stills gleam like polished teeth and the staff treat each batch like a newborn calf — careful, attentive, and with a healthy dose of pride.

• Great whiskey
• Excellent facility

Strati Spirits

Marlbank, Ontario

Strati Spirits, perched in the sleepy reaches of Tyendinaga Township near Marlbank, Ontario, takes the notion of “hand-crafted” seriously enough to make the average boutique sound like a kitchen-table experiment. Here, grain is escorted from the mill straight into copper stills in tiny batches, emerging as vodka, gin, amaro and grappa that feel more like a lab report than a marketing gimmick. The lot are gearing up to hit local LCBO shelves soon, proving that even in a rural hamlet you can still find a spirit worth bragging about.

• Locally made spirits are a major highlight
• Gorgeous distillery is a must-see attraction

Otter Creek Distilling

Vienna, Ontario

Otter Creek Distilling crouches on a quiet farm off a narrow road in Vienna, Ontario, right beside the genuine Otter Creek. The land once formed an Underground Railroad route, where freedom-seekers paused to snack on wild pawpaws – a story now bottled as the limited-edition Paw Paw Rum. Run from 92 Edison Drive, the family unearthed a Prohibition-era recipe hidden in an old bible and turned it into a small-scale operation that feels more like a clandestine club than a commercial plant.

• Knowledgeable owners share local history.
• Informative tours about distillery process.

Adam Brown 55 Distilling Co.

Mapleton, Ontario

Adam Brown 55 Distilling Co., hailing from Mapleton, Ontario, refuses to be a posh pipe-dreamer and actually makes decent spirits. Their gin, which tastes like a citrus-laden, bitter-free blast of sunshine, is best taken neat, because the lads think it’s a fine whiskey in disguise. Vodka here is smooth as a silk glove, and you can pair it with soda if you must — it's not trying to outshine the obvious. The whole operation pays tribute to an old locomotive, Adam Brown 55, and the resulting character feels like a cross-rail journey through a real town, not a glossy brochure. Small-batch, high-grade ingredients give the flavours depth without pretending to be revolutionary. The company is a tiny rebel against pretentiousness, proving even a non-gin drinker can find a reason to buy a bottle and support local craft, and they brag that its cocktails are honestly extraordinary for even the most sceptical palate.

• Unique, complex flavor profiles in gin
• Smooth, approachable vodka with soda option

Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd

Windsor, Ontario

• Exceptional ambiance for private gatherings
• Outstanding dinner quality

Silver Lake Premium Vodka

Norfolk, Ontario

Silver Lake Premium Vodka emerges from a plant in Norfolk, Ontario, but don’t be fooled by its address – the spirit is anything but pedestrian. Produced by Big City Distributors, the label marries old-world reverence with a cheeky flair for the unexpected, delivering a vodka that slides across the palate with silky precision, yet carries a whisper of honesty that most boutique offerings lack.

• Unique vodka discovery
• Smooth vodka quality

Air Distillerie, Ontario

Hawkesbury, Ontario

Air Distillerie in Hawkesbury is a laboratory where art and chemistry meet over a spring. In a three-storey loft that feels like a warehouse-gallery, twin copper alambics draw Québec water and churn out gin that can be as crisp as cucumber or as wild as blueberry. Their vodkas flirt with peach or yuzu, while liqueurs blend caramel, menthe-chocolate and maple into one stroke. The twist? Artists in residence run the stills, while local farmers supply the botanicals and grain, turning each batch into a painted canvas of flavor.

• Innovative project driving local interest
• Unique, modern distillery experience

Civil Pours

Toronto, Ontario

Civil Pours, based in the sprawling chaos of Toronto, has turned cocktail making into a scientific experiment. Using vacuum-distillation they pull the punch out of up-cycled waste — zested citrus skins, spent coffee grounds, even the oily core of an avocado pit — then marry those extracts with premium spirits. The result is a cocktail that bursts with lemon-bright acidity, a whisper of cocoa, and a buttery undertone, all crowned by a foamy head the moment the tap is opened. No bottling, no fuss, just brilliance.

Bootlegger Distillery

Bothwell, Ontario

• Exceptional taste of vodka.
• Standout product at trade shows.

Blyth Brewing & Distilling Inc

Blyth, Ontario

Blyth Brewing & Distilling Inc. is not your usual cosy bar and scone spot. Situated on 120 acres of undulating farmland in Blyth, Ontario, it blends the old with the new. It produces craft beers that make you wonder why anyone would bother with craft. The brewery's ciders and drinks are just the opening act; the real star is its distilling line, turning local barley into spirits that could rival any proper Scottish dram if it weren't for the heavy branding.

• Unique brewing techniques showcased
• Local flavors incorporated into beers

Hamilton Distillery Company Limited

Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton Distillery Company Limited sits in Hamilton, Ontario, and decides that Canada’s cornfields and maple groves deserve a proper tribute, not a gimmick. Their ‘farm-to-flask’ mantra means the grains and botanicals travel less distance than a commuter’s bike. Small-batch runs of heritage and organic grains are mashed, fermented and distilled with a reverence that would make a museum curator blush, yet the recipes fuse time-worn techniques with modern daring, pulling flavors from coast to prairies.

Whitewater Distilling Company

Cobden, Ontario

Whitewater Distilling Company, perched on the Ottawa River in Cobden, Ontario, treats whisky and gin like a art class. Their ethos is simple: churn out spirits that taste like they’ve been concocted by a chemist with a flair for drama, all while guarding the river’s water like a miser guards his gold. The result? Paper Boat Artisanal Gin, a triple-threat of spice, earth and a whisper of sweet, and Broken Paddle Artisanal Whisky, a warm pour that makes you forget you ever cared about pretension.

Premium Bottlers Inc

Vaughan, Ontario

Premium Bottlers Inc in Vaughan, Ontario is a no-nonsense lab for spirit geeks. Their copper-pot still, bolted to a 12-plate rectification column, turns grain into liquid gold faster than a teenager can post an Instagram story. The lot pride themselves on turning regulatory headaches into a seamless sprint, letting anyone with a decent idea crank out whisky, vodka, gin or brandy under their own label without the usual fuss.

• Impressive selection of products
• High-quality equipment used