Whisky is inextricably linked to the British Isles, but whether it originated in Scotland or Ireland is a matter of some debate (there just isn鈥檛 room to discuss that here!). On Vancouver Island, however, there鈥檚 been a huge Scottish influence, and as such, some local whisky distilleries are focused on Scotch (though not exclusively), and for the purposes of this article, so am I.

The Scots weren鈥檛 the first to create distilled liquor, but I wouldn鈥檛 dare suggest that they didn鈥檛 help perfect it! We probably have travelling monks to thank for introducing the distilling process to the British Isles hundreds of years ago, and we owe them a big thanks. Grain was abundant in Britain, and in the true Scottish spirit of invention and innovation, Scotch was born.

Scottish spirit

Whisky is no ordinary spirit. The English word 鈥渨hisky鈥� comes from the Gaelic 鈥渦isge beatha,鈥� which is pronounced roughly, 鈥渙osh-keh-beh-ha.鈥� Say it a few times鈥� can you hear it? If you are saying it correctly, it sounds a lot like whisky and it means 鈥渨ater of life.鈥� The Scots were on to something here.

Whisky is one of the world鈥檚 most popular spirits. It comes in many different types and classes and its character and flavour varies widely depending on everything from how the barley is dried over the peat fire, to barrel composition and size, which all make a difference to the tasting notes of the final product.

Home away from home

When the British first came to Vancouver Island, they took one look at the countryside and promptly described it in missives home as resembling Scotland, but having the climate of southern England. It鈥檚 a fair description especially imagined as seen from the deck of a rolling tall ship! Among the many who came to this part of the world with the early waves of European immigration were, inevitably, Scots. With them, came Scotch.

Those early Scots left their mark on the Island 鈥� many places bear Scottish names and to this day, many of the things that are part of our blended West Coast culture have been influenced by the Scots. These resilient and hardy folks set up homesteads, built castles ( and in Victoria), and established a in Victoria which is celebrating its 158th year, bringing a little bit of the 鈥渙ld country鈥� to their adopted home.

Whisky Galore!

While you many not agree with Raymond Chandler鈥檚 broad assertion that 鈥渢here is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren鈥檛 as good as others,鈥� there鈥檚 no better time to try some great Scotch whisky!

(Here we also point out that 鈥渨hisky鈥� without an 鈥渆鈥� is used in Scotland and Canada, while 鈥渨hiskey鈥� with an 鈥渆鈥� is commonly used in Ireland and the US.)

Vancouver Island has lots of great distilleries, and for our purposes, this article only highlights Scotch producers. (gin, vodka and rye to be covered later!) I know, I know, it鈥檚 a tough job鈥�

Buckle your kilt and grab your claymore for a tasty tour of the Island鈥檚 best Scotch whisky distilleries. Sl脿inte Mhath! (Slanj-a-va).

In Victoria:

• 鈥� Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island on Old West Saanich Road, this award-wining distillery offers an array of products ranging from to wine. Their and are made with local grains, fruit and honey and are distilled on site using traditional methods. No corners are cut in this process and it shows in the finished product. The newsworthy Glen Saanich Single Malt sold out in two days last year, and batch No. 6 is set for release in October! While they do not offer tastings and tours, if you love whisky, it鈥檚 worth arranging a curb-side pick up to take a bottle home!

• 鈥� The Caledonian Distillery was founded by ex-pat Graeme Macaloney. As a boy, Macaloney had yen to create the finest single malt whisky in North America, and to that end, he鈥檚 assembled the industry鈥檚 best Scottish distillers, great Canadian ingredients and carefully selected American and European oak for the barrels. The results are astounding. are available, many of them award-winning on the world stage. are available that walk you through the process from start to finish. Along the way, you can touch, smell, and taste your way through their wide selection of craft beers and whiskies. There鈥檚 also an onsite .

North to Nanaimo:

• 鈥� Located in Nanaimo, the Arbutus Distillery has a wide range of small-batch spirits. Their award-winning whisky is brewed and distilled on site using 100 per cent BC-grown malted barley. They also offer a tasting room and cocktail lounge with a food menu.

Further north again to Campbell River:

• 鈥� The land at Shelter Point has been farmed for generations and remains one of the last seaside farms on the Island. One of a few distilleries that grows their own barley on site, owner Patrick Evans has farming in the blood and a strong belief in preserving the land for the future. Prioritizing quality over quantity, aging the whisky takes place within a few hundred yards of the ocean, giving it a unique flavour. They offer , each unique and hand-crafted along with a variety of other spirits, all made with the same care and attention to detail. Located between the Comox Valley and Campbell River, stop by for a and tour in a distillery designed around the idea of showcasing the process.

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