Sons of Vancouver Distillery Ltd.

Summary: Sons of Vancouver Distillery Ltd.

• History

• Founded by James Lester and partners, the distillery was established in 2015 on Vancouver's North Shore.

• The first rye whisky was launched in 2021.

• It became the first micro-distillery in Canada to win Canadian Whisky of the Year at the Canadian Whisky Awards in 2023.

• Since then, it has explored a growing whisky program focused on rye and blending, supported by a small, partnership-based team.

• Production

• Fermentation, distillation, and maturation take place at its own distillery in North Vancouver, BC.

• Wheated Rye Whisky: 25% wheat mash in a high-rye mash, aged in a blend of ex-bourbon and new American oak casks; described as Canada's original wheated rye.

• The production emphasizes blending; the company notes that whiskies are often released at cask strength and that each bottle is often a unique blend, where flavors are highlighted through fermentation, distillation and maturation.

• Realms of Rye series: limited releases of 100% rye, designed to demonstrate different aspects of the flavor spectrum without added flavorings or finishing flavors – enhanced solely through fermentation, maturation and blending.

• Numbered whiskies: Sons of Vancouver Numbered Whiskies are released 8–10 times a year in very small batches and often sell out the same day.

• Whisky products

• Wheated Rye Whisky (Canada's original wheated rye)

  • 25% wheat content; a sweet sip with vanilla, paired with a peppery rye finish; aged in ex-bourbon and new American oak casks.

• Realms of Rye (limited, 100% rye whiskies)

  • Release #1 Citrus & Botanicals (June 2024): 303 bottles, 59.4% ABV; notes: orange zest, coriander seed, toasted clove, charred wood, menthol, black tea leaves, cane sugar. Price not stated.

  • Release #2 Dark Fruit & Cacao (Dec 2024): 333 bottles, 59.9% ABV; notes: blackcurrants, dark chocolate, cigar tobacco, nutmeg, cocoa powder, deep oak.

  • Release #3 Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze (Aug 2022, 3rd edition): 275 bottles, 53.5% ABV, 100% rye; aged in ex-American oak, with bourbon and Virgin Islands rum casks; notes: pineapple, vanilla, tropical fruits and spices.

  • Release #4 Summer Road Trip Across the Midwest (Mar 2023): 187 bottles, 63.2% ABV, 100% rye; blend of 3–5 year whiskies; notes of baked fruits, cinnamon and new oak.

  • Release #5 Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze (2023): Caribbean Cask Rye; 130 bottles, 53.5% ABV; tropical fruits, spices, vanilla; finish in Barbados rum cask.

  • Release #6 Desert Grass and Blue Agave (Aug 2023): 151 bottles, 54.5% ABV; rye blend finished in mezcal-/tequila cask; notes of dry grass, herbs, wood, and bold spices.

  • Release #7 Raiding Nonna's Liquor Cabinet (Sept 2023): 240 bottles, 54.5% ABV; rye blend finished in amaro-/barrel-aged; boulevardier-like character.

  • Release #8 Homemade Upside Down Apricot Cake (Nov 2023): 246 bottles, 50.5% ABV; 21% malt, 79% rye; finished in amaretto cask; notes of apricot, flowers, jam and toasted oak.

  • Release #9 Rolling Hills in the Morning Mist (Jan 2024): 254 bottles, 59.5% ABV; 100% rye; ex-bourbon, finished in Islay cask; notes of seaweed, moss, coastal elements and mineral notes.

  • Release #10 Palm Trees and a Tropical Storm (Aug 2024): 240 bottles, 60.0% ABV; 100% rye; finished in Jamaican rum cask; notes of mango, banana, brown sugar and spices.

  • Release #11 Sipping Sherry at the Jazz Club (Oct 2024): 179 bottles, 56.7% ABV; first 100% single malt; ex-bourbon and PX-sherry finish; notes: raspberry jam, figs, leather and cigar tobacco.

  • Release #12 Last Call at the Dive Bar (Oct 2024): 152 bottles, 62.4% ABV; peat-bomb single malt; finished in two Islay casks; notes of chocolate and dried fruits with peat.

  • Release #13 The First Crack of a Creme Brulee (Dec 2024): 375 bottles, 57.9% ABV; 28% wheat, 72% rye; vanilla bomb, custard and burnt sugar; blend of new oak and ex-bourbon.

  • Release #14 A Morning Smoke and Jammy Toast (June 2025): 252 bottles, 56.6% ABV; rye 65.5%, malt 22.5%, wheat 12%; ex-bourbon + finish in a Speyside peated cask; cognac finish adds orange, apricot and jam.

  • Release #15 Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze (Aug 2025): 205 bottles, 55.3% ABV; 100% rye 4-year-old; finished in Caribbean rum cask; notes of mango, nutmeg, brown sugar and banana.

  • Release #16 Palm Trees and a Tropical Storm (Aug 2025): 246 bottles, 60.5% ABV; blend of 3–4 year whiskies (75% rye, 25% wheat); finished in Jamaica/Granada rum casks; notes of lime, vanilla, macadamia, sugar loaf and spices.

• Spirits and liqueurs: the company also offers a broad range of other spirits and liqueurs (e.g., Amaretto, Chartreuse-like products and gin/vodka) but these are not whiskey in the traditional sense; details outside the whiskey range.

• Tasting notes (sample selections)

• Realms of Rye Release #1 Citrus & Botanicals: orange zest, coriander seed, toasted clove, charred wood, menthol, black tea leaves, cane sugar.

• Realms of Rye Release #2 Dark Fruit & Cacao: blackcurrants, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, earthy tobacco notes, nutmeg, grape jelly, deep oak.

• Sipping Sherry at the Jazz Club (Release #11): raspberry jam, fig cookies, hay, mint; leather and cigar tobacco finish.

• Last Call at the Dive Bar (Release #12): peat, smoky, iodine, medicinal peat; chocolate and dried fruits with peat notes.

• The First Crack of a Creme Brulee (Release #13): vanilla bomb with custard and burnt sugar; balance of new oak and ex-bourbon.

• A Morning Smoke and Jammy Toast (Release #14): fruity, citrus notes with a cognac finish; light smoke and ash.

• Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze and Tropical Storm (Release #3, #10, #15, #16): tropical notes like mango, pineapple, vanilla, Caribbean rum finishes, spices; rum undertones and exotic finishes.

• Events and news

• Awards and recognition: Canadian Whisky of the Year 2023 (the first micro-distillery in Canada to win this award).

• Canadian Whisky Awards 2024 and 2025 highlight various Realms of Rye and single malt releases (e.g., Gold Medal, Award of Excellence, etc.).

• Numbered whiskies (Realms of Rye and Numbered Whiskies) are launched 8–10 times annually in very small quantities and often sell out the same day.

• The distillery offers visits and private tastings by inquiry; tours and tastings are arranged as needed.

• Company philosophy and values

• Redefining Canadian Whisky with a focus on bold, characterful flavors, high rye content and cask-strength expressions.

• Emphasizes independence, craftsmanship and innovation through blending and gradual exploration of the rye flavour wheel.

• Emphasizes letting the whisky guide the blend and offer unique, non-added flavor experiences through fermentation, distillation and maturation.

• Commits to quality, craftsmanship and constant innovation, while maintaining a belief in small, carefully controlled batches and limited, aged releases.