About this tour
When Jake from our BugBitten team rolled through Okanagan Spirits in Vernon, we found ourselves in Western Canada's longest-running craft distillery — a place that's racked up three World Spirits Awards for Distillery of the Year. The 45-minute tasting walks you through their full roster: whiskies, vodkas, gins, fruit liqueurs, brandies, and some quirky stuff like aquavit and Canada's first proper absinthe. The vibe is unpretentious; you're surrounded by working stills and genuine craft production, not a theme park. It's a solid pit stop if you're exploring the Okanagan wine region and want to see what the spirits side of things looks like.
Highlights
- Taste across whisky, gin, vodka, and unexpected drops like aquavit
- Working distillery setting — see production, not just a tasting room
- Award-winning producer with two decades of serious pedigree
- Canada's first genuine absinthe on the menu to try
- Accessible venue with nearby public transport options
- Short, focused tasting — fits neatly into a regional itinerary
- Natural fruit liqueurs and brandies sit alongside spirits
What to expect
Jake turned up expecting a polished tasting room and got something a bit grittier — this is a working distillery where you can actually see the operation. The 45 minutes moves briskly; you're guided through the house spirits with context on production methods and what makes each one tick. The range is genuinely diverse: you'll move from robust whiskies to clean vodkas, then into the fruitier, sweeter territory. The absinthe gets attention (it's a novelty in Canada), though the tasting focuses on education over flash.
The space feels functional rather than fancy, which suits the craft ethos. If you're coming from the Okanagan's wine circuit, this reads as a palate-shifter — spirits hit differently than wine, and the distillery's award track record backs up that they know what they're doing. Expect to learn a bit about how grain and fruit spirits differ from what you've tried before.
What travellers say
- Bona fide craft distillery with proven international awards and credibility
- Wide spirit range — whisky through absinthe in one tasting
- Fully accessible venue with nearby public transport links
- Honest, working production setting instead of polished theatre
- Fits neatly into a 45-minute Okanagan regional itinerary
- Brisk pacing may feel rushed for spirit-deep-dive enthusiasts
- Not suitable for pregnant travellers or poor cardiovascular health
- Tourist season crowds can squeeze the tasting room experience
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is a legit producer with genuine credentials, not a tourist trap. The tasting covers serious range — you'll encounter spirits you won't find everywhere. If you're into craft spirits or want to understand the regional production landscape beyond wine, it's worth your time. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible with stroller-friendly surfaces, and public transport nearby makes it easy to slot into a day trip.
It's not recommended for pregnant travellers or anyone with cardiovascular concerns (alcohol tasting + standing). The 45 minutes is snappy, so if you want a deep dive into distilling philosophy, you might feel rushed. Peak tourist season (summer) can crowd the space. Bring ID if you're borderline on age — it's still a functional distillery.
Alcoholic beverages are included. Wear comfortable shoes (you're on your feet for the duration). Service animals welcome. No hidden costs flagged.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.