Our Favorite Canadian Gin Picks

Released in the US in the summer of 2017, Empress 1908 Indigo Gin achieves its indigo blue color with the infusion of butterfly pea blossom. The pH of this blossom is such that the addition of citrus or tonic will change the color of the gin from indigo blue to a light pink. In addition to the butterfly pea blossom and requisite juniper, the gin uses blended tea from Victoria's own Fairmont Empress Hotel. Other botanicals used are grapefruit peel, coriander seed, rose petal, ginger root, and cinnamon bark. All botanicals are organic and the spirit base is non-GMO corn. (SRP $39.99)

Made in British Columbia, Canada, Queensborough Gin is based off of the traditional London Dry recipe. The juniper and spruce tips are both locally sourced. Other botanicals include pine, rosemary, jasmine and cassia.

Distilled at Victoria, B.C.'s Phillips Fermentorium Distilling Co., this gin is distilled using hand-foraged botanicals and herbs grown in British Columbia. They distill their base neutral-spirit (instead purchasing it which is often done in gin production) from barley and redistill the spirit with the botanicals--juniper, Cascade hops, Grand Fir, bay laurel, coriander, and lavender. It is bottled at 45% ABV.

Gin Km12 is made at the Distillerie du Fjord in Monts-Valin, Québec which was founded by brothers Benoit & Jean-Philippe along with their father Serge Bouchard. Inspired by Canada's boreal forest, the botanicals used for Gin Km12 include balsam fir buds, myrica gale, nards of the pinewoods, pepper dunes, and wild raspberry leaf in addition to the requisite juniper.

St. Laurent Gin is made in Canada using a 380 liter still with 9 botanicals in uncommon double gin-basket setup. Botanicals include: juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, cassia bark, licorice root, lemon, bitter orange zest, cubeb berries, and grains of paradise. The 10th botanical - oarweed (laminaria longicruris) is hand harvested locally and added via maceration after distillation.

Released in 2013, Piger Henricus Gin is produced in Quebec by the microdistillery, Les Distillateurs Subversifs (translation: "The Subversive Distillers"), in partnership with La Société des plantes, an organic heirloom seed producer. It's made with botanicals traditionally used in London dry gin - juniper berries, coriander, angelica root, lemon peel and cardamom - but also includes an unusual ingredient, parsnip. The vegetable is featured on the label and is courtesy of the organic farm. Bottled at 43% ABV.

Sheringham Distillery, located in Vancouver Island, was founded by husband and wife Jason and Alayne MacIsaac. The distillery produces small batch, handmade spirits locally made and sourced, down to the labels and typefaces. All expressions are mashed, fermented, and distilled on site at Sheringham Distillery. Sheringham's Seaside Gin is made from organic white wheat, malted barley, natural botanicals, and local winged kelp hand harvested by "Mermaid of the Pacific" and founder of Dakini Tidal Wilds Amanda Swinimer. It is bottled at 43% ABV.

Victoria Distillery is located in Sidney, a town on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, just 20 minutes from downtown Victoria, the city the distillery was originally located. After 10 years, they moved to larger digs in 2016 and with the move came a revamped packaging for their gin. Now the modern packaging suits the contents within; 10 botanicals are used in this gin, which in addition to juniper berries include star anise, cinnamon, and rose petals. It is distilled in batches and is bottled at 45%

Parlour Gin is made at Eau Claire Distillery, a farm-to-glass distillery located in Alberta, Canada. It is made in a London Dry style from a base spirit using Alberta grain, primarily barley. Botanicals include rosehip, Saskatoon berry, coriander, lemon, orange, mint, and spice.

Made by Domaine Pinnacle in Quebec, Ungava Canadian Premium Gin celebrates the tundra environment of Ungava Peninsula in northern Quebec. Ungava Gin is made using a spirit made from locally-grown corn that has been infused with botanicals harvested from the Ungava region. These botanicals are infused both pre and post-distillation which accounts for its unique yellow color. Botanicals include: wild rose hips, arctic blend, cloudberry, labrador tea, crowberry, and nordic juniper.