Ontario Craft Vodka - Still Waters Distillery

[NRman]

Interesting. I hadn't heard of these guys before.
Anyone tried their stuff?

http://www.stillwatersdistillery.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Still-Wat ... 3023445207

Still Waters Distillery, located in the Greater Toronto Area, is the first micro-distillery in Ontario. We take great pride in the craft of distilling and are proud of the unique products we create. We distill our spirits by hand in small batches using traditional artisan distilling techniques - equal parts art and science.

[GregClow]

I've tried the Still Waters vodka a couple of times. It's a really interesting product - it's a single malt vodka, so it's essentially a whisky that hasn't been put into barrels for aging. There's a mellow malt note in the aroma and flavour that's really enjoyable.

A similar product that will be at the LCBO soon is White Owl Whisky from Alberta - although rather than an unaged grain spirit, this one is a aged whisky which is then charcoal filtered to remove all the colour. So it still has whisky character, but on a very subdued level.

I'd love to try both of the above side by side, actually - it would be an interesting comparison.

[SteelbackGuy]

Sounds cool. I'll have to get some of this.

Although I think Black Fly is Ontario's first craft distiller, aren't they?

[northyorksammy]

its a discontinued product, but I plan to grab one to bring to a party
looks interesting

[mintjellie]

Why would you filter the shit out of whisky to remove flavour?

[cratez]

I think Black Fly is Ontario's first craft distiller, aren't they?

Black Fly (London) opened in May 2005 and claims to be Ontario's "first" micro distillery, whereas Still Waters (Concord) opened in late 2009 and calls itself the first "true" craft distillery in the province:

http://www.blackflycoolers.com/story/
http://spiritsnotebook.blogspot.com/200 ... chive.html (scroll down)

Seems like SW considers itself to be a "real" distillery compared to Black Fly, which makes coolers. This article describes BF products as "sickly sweet":

http://www.artofdrink.com/2009/11/still ... illery.php

[northyorksammy]

got the last bottle at Yorkdale - let you know how it is

[SteelbackGuy]

I think Black Fly is Ontario's first craft distiller, aren't they?

Black Fly (London) opened in May 2005 and claims to be Ontario's "first" micro distillery, whereas Still Waters (Concord) opened in late 2009 and calls itself the first "true" craft distillery in the province:

http://www.blackflycoolers.com/story/
http://spiritsnotebook.blogspot.com/200 ... chive.html (scroll down)

Seems like SW considers itself to be a "real" distillery compared to Black Fly, which makes coolers. This article describes BF products as "sickly sweet":

http://www.artofdrink.com/2009/11/still ... illery.php

Thanks for that article Mike.


Whoever wrote that article is in need of a palate transplant. Black Fly coolers are the driest we sell. Almost chalky. That's their appeal. Anyone that considers them sweet is a fucking moron.

[StillWaters]

Still Waters Single Malt Vodka is distilled to a purity of 96% alc./vol., whereas a whisky is distilled to a much lower purity (say 70%, although it varies) so that more of the congeners remain in the distillate giving it more flavour.

Still Waters Single Malt Vodka was a one-time purchase by the LCBO, hence the automatic "discontinued" status after a few months. The packaging is being redone to reintroduce the product shortly.

Black Fly is NOT a distiller, even though they hold a "spirits license", sometimes referred to as a distilling license. Its pretty hard to claim you are a craft distiller if you don't even own a still! Still Waters Distillery has a 450 litre pot still, and distills its products from its own mash. They are a true craft distiller in every sense.

[SteelbackGuy]

Still Waters Single Malt Vodka is distilled to a purity of 96% alc./vol., whereas a whisky is distilled to a much lower purity (say 70%, although it varies) so that more of the congeners remain in the distillate giving it more flavour.

Still Waters Single Malt Vodka was a one-time purchase by the LCBO, hence the automatic "discontinued" status after a few months. The packaging is being redone to reintroduce the product shortly.

Black Fly is NOT a distiller, even though they hold a "spirits license", sometimes referred to as a distilling license. Its pretty hard to claim you are a craft distiller if you don't even own a still! Still Waters Distillery has a 450 litre pot still, and distills its products from its own mash. They are a true craft distiller in every sense.

Thanks for posting. I look forward to trying the product for sure. And if its good, I'll recommend it to every customer I can.

[winepro23]

For an Ontario distilled vodka the best IMHO is "Tag #5" available at most LCBO's for 25$. I have also discovered another new product called VICE. It's considered a single pour Icewine Martini. Blended from Ontario Icewine and Ontario Vodka. its a pretty interesting concept. Also at the LCBO.