Today is our anniversary and we’ll open our last bottle of Dillon’s Canada Rye 1. We opened the first the night we got married. Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers in Beamsville, Ontario is a place Steve and I visited often when was in Toronto before I moved to the US. It’s about 30 minutes from my parents place and was one of those rare accidental finds you just keep going back to.
When I lived in Ontario, I was a member of their Sipping Society and regularly received a shipment of fabulous booze, recipes, and bitters. We’ve had drinks in their parking lot while eating oysters, Sunday Brunch from a food truck, done the tour and professed our love on more than one occasion. We often try to work a trip to Canada around one of their events, and I wish that worked out more often.
The Rye
I’m not exactly sure why we settled on rye the night of the wedding, other than I think it felt special and Canadian. It took us two years to get through the first little bottle, since only celebrated with a little taste. I don’t know if we’ll get two years out of this one though. Their Batch 1 Rye was copper pot distilled and aged in Canadian oak casks. The bottles are beautiful, as always, and include a copper sleeve around the neck and when unfolded, the paper tells an amazing story about how it came to be.
Gin 22
Before Dillon’s I hated Gin. It’s their Gin 22 that got me hooked on both Gin and Dillon’s. Not long after they opened, we happened across their Beamsville distillery. They only had a few things to try, and a small rainbow of bitters, but the second I tasted the Gin 22 I knew I would never be without a bottle. With 22 botanicals, it’s flavorful and flowery, without the bite of juniper that many gins have. I have started converting some friends in Wisconsin and it’s their drink of choice whenever they stop by. Seriously, if you aren’t a gin fan, but can get to Dillon’s or can find it at the LCBO, please try it, you won’t be disappointed.
No matter what you get from Dillon’s, and their offerings have expanded exponentially over the years, you will be happy with the choice. Their spirits make a great cocktail, although smooth and strong enough to stand on their own. I’ve gifted my share of bottles over the years and it has always been appreciated. If you’re in the Niagara region, consider stopping in and checking them out. For me, they will always fall under the local(ish) category!
Dillon’s Tasting Room
4833 Tufford Road
Beamsville, On (Canada) L0R1B1
Directions
1 (905) 563-3030
https://dillons.ca/
*Note: Due to COVID19 as of May 7, 2020 Dillon’s Tasting Room was temporarily closed. For updated information please visit their website at https://dillons.ca/
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