Odd Society Spirits ~ a local craft distiller

New legislation from the provincial government has opened the door to small batch, craft distilleries. These small businesses can now operate without the excessive taxation and red tape of the Liquor Distribution Branch. To make the circumstance even better, these new craft distillers can provide on-site tasting rooms, possibly even offer tours of their operations, and become part of the fabric of neighbourhoods, offering drinks as one might expect on a visit to Scotland or other civilized nations.







Odd Society Spirits is one such craft distiller. It's located at the very end of Commercial Drive and one block east  along Powell Street. Not particularly a pedestrian venue, this is a destination,and so it should be, though at present, the Odd Society is in early days.




The stills, three distinctly different stills, are in, and the tasting bar is being readied, as is just about every thing else. It is all a labour of passion from Gordon Glanz and his partner, Miriam Karp.

Gordon is passionate about what he is doing, and it shows. Several years ago Gordon and Miriam went to Scotland where Gordon earned a Masters degree in distilling from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. He then studied under the masters at Springbank in Campbeltown. Gordon termed it a mid-life crisis of sorts, but this is truly serious vision. Gordon loves talking about the stills, the process and the marvel that is in the spirits. There is both excitement and just a wee bit of transcendental panic in his voice as he shares his passion.

And the vision, his vision: small batches of spirits made entirely from natural ingredients, sourced in British Columbia, fermented and distilled on-site. Coming soon: whisky, vodka and gin. Visit the Odd Society website, sign up for their newsletter and join me, in the tasting room, sometime in August!