The ABC’s of Whisky
Don’t know your whisky slang yet? Here’s an intro to some of our favourite whisky words: Angels’ Share: As a whisky ages in the barrel, the porousness of the oak wood
Unique Whiskies & Spirits Crafted on Island Time
We’re a small, award-winning, family-owned distillery on southern Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Our mission is simple: to create distinctive spirits that reflect the character of our island home, craft exceptional Canadian rye whisky, and challenge perceptions of what rye whisky can be.
We’re constantly exploring new ways to showcase Vancouver Island’s unique terroir through locally sourced ingredients and innovative approaches to distilling and maturation. From hand-picked wild berries and locally grown rhubarb to award-winning Cowichan Valley wine barrels, our spirits reflect the place we call home.
Our small-batch whiskies are released when they’re ready, not simply when they’ve reached a particular age. Rooted in traditional whisky-making techniques, we carefully nurture each cask throughout its maturation, selecting finishing barrels that complement its individual character to create exceptional whisky.
Fan Favourite Spirits
Whiskies · Gins · Vodka · Liqueurs
Our Flagship Rye Whisky! This 100% B.C. rye grain whisky was initially aged in a combination of 75% ex-bourbon and 25% Cowichan Valley red wine casks with a final maturation in custom toasted and charred American Oak casks.
Available in store
$60.00
Gin made with 100% locally grown rhubarb, perfect with a cucumber tonic. Gold Medal Winner, World Gin Awards 2021.
Available in store
$41.74
Crafted with care and attention to detail, this Stillhead Distillery offering reflects our commitment to quality, character, and island-inspired craftsmanship. Explore the unique story behind every creation and discover what makes Stillhead truly distinctive.
Available in store
$129.57
Our award winning Wild Blackberry Gin is made using only 100% locally harvested wild blackberries, a balanced classic gin base made from scratch and 100% Canadian honey.
37.5% abv. Best Canadian Flavoured Gin, World Gin Awards, London, UK, 2020, 2021
Available in store
$43.48
Crafted with care and attention to detail, this Stillhead Distillery offering reflects our commitment to quality, character, and island-inspired craftsmanship. Explore the unique story behind every creation and discover what makes Stillhead truly distinctive.
Available in store
$38.26
Our Mission: To Redefine What Rye Whisky Can Be
When we first opened our doors in 2017, we filled just a few dozen casks of whisky. Today, as we approach our 400th cask, we continue to grow our whisky stocks while maintaining an unwavering commitment to patience, craftsmanship, and quality.
While we produce whisky from a variety of grains, our passion lies in 100% rye whisky and challenging perceptions of what Canadian rye whisky can be.
We primarily mature our whisky in American oak barrels for the first three years, but it’s our specialization in Garry Oak-matured rye whisky that has helped us introduce a distinctive new style to the category.
Our goal has always been simple: to make the best rye whisky possible and redefine how Canadian rye whisky is perceived, both at home and around the world.
Cocktails
While our spirits can be enjoyed perfectly well on their own, it’s always enjoyable to get creative and mix them with other delicious mixers and ingredients. Check out some of our expertly curated mixtures below!
Snap Pea Cordial
Garden Cosmo
Rye Peach Lemonade Pitcher
Rhubarb Spritz
Pining for Ruby
Rhubarb Sidecar
Rhubarb and Rose Ramos Gin Fizz
Strawberry Rhubarb Gin Smash
Side-by-side
Blackbird
Potent Portable Pumpkin Punch
Arugula Gimlet
Moscow Mule
Potent Port-ables Strawberry Daiquiri
Sparkle Pony
Spicy Barrel-Aged Gin Mule
Apple Cider Bourbon Sour
Cask Ownership
Interested in Owning Your Own Barrel of Whisky?
Discover a rare opportunity with Stillhead Distillery to own a cask of premium Canadian whisky and be part of the journey from barrel to bottle. Whether you are looking for a unique personal investment, a memorable gift, or a lasting connection to handcrafted whisky made on Vancouver Island, our Cask Ownership experience offers something truly special.
Award Winning Spirits
Nestled in the heart of the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, our family owned distillery crafts high quality spirits with the intention of capturing the essence of the Island in every bottle.
Distillery Tours
Curious about what a day in the life of a distiller looks like? Drop by for a tour with one of our distillers and experience what it’s like mashing, distilling, proofing and (most importantly) tasting the final product! We’ll give you the rundown on what it takes to go from grain to glass. You’ll also get the chance to tour our barrel library, tap a cask with us and see what the next release may taste like before everybody else!
Lounge
The 50-seat lounge is the perfect place to enjoy Stillhead spirits. Sip on guided samples, a handcrafted cocktail, a cocktail flight, or explore selections from the extensive world whisky list.
Families and dogs are welcome in the lounge, and there are plenty of non-alcoholic options to enjoy as well. The venue is also available for small events. For questions or reservations, please contact orders@stillhead.ca
or call (250) 748-6874.
Stillhead Merch
Our Story
Our small batch whiskies are released only when they reach perfect maturity, not a particular age. We don’t look for shortcuts, instead we respect whisky making tradition. Each barrel is curated over the course of its aging, carefully matching its character to the barrel it will finish its maturation in, creating the perfect final whisky.
Latest News
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We hear you like whisky. Great! You may not know this… but we’re pretty big whisky fans as well. If you’re just introducing yourself to the world of whisky, it
Whisky Business: Meet our local inspirational woman in whisky!
Meet Melissa McKinney, entrepreneur and owner of Victoria Whisky Tastings. Melissa has spent the last two years of the pandemic growing her new business, running online whisky tasting events for
The ABC’s of Whisky
Don’t know your whisky slang yet? Here’s an intro to some of our favourite whisky words: Angels’ Share: As a whisky ages in the barrel, the porousness of the oak wood
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