Redefining Canadian Whisky.

Big, bold flavours. High-rye mash bills. Cask-strength expressions

Sons of Vancouver Distillery exploded onto the whisky scene with the release of their first rye whisky in 2021. Their approach to making whisky comes with the overall goal of changing the standard for rye whisky in Canada. After becoming the first craft distillery to win ‘Canadian Whisky of the Year’ at the 2023 Canadian Whisky Awards, achieving this goal never seemed so possible.

By allowing the whisky itself to guide the blend, each bottling is unique and provides an outlet to highlight the spectrum of flavours naturally developed through fermentation, distillation, and maturation. Expressions are often left at cask-strength to provide a well-rounded whisky with a robust mouthfeel.

Sons of Vancouver whisky is released in limited bottlings, 8 - 12 times per year. Whiskies tend to sell out extremely quickly upon release, so signing up for the SOV whisky mailing list is the best way to get your hands on a bottle.

LIMITED RELEASES.

  • Release #1 - 'Cigarettes on a Leather Jacket'

    Gold Medal - Canadian Artisan Spirits Competition 2021

    The first ever whisky release from Sons of Vancouver Distillery. A blend of 3 to 5 year old whiskies with a mash bill of 90% rye, 5% wheat, and 5% malted barley.

    Aged in used peated single malt barrels, this whisky boasts a crème brûlée nose and lots of rye spice. Fruity tobacco mid, finishing with oak, pine, and soot.

    56.7% ABV
    Released March 2021 - SOLD OUT
    Only 230 bottles produced

  • Release #2 - 'Marshmallows over a Campfire

    Gold Medal - Canadian Artisan Spirits Competition 2022
    Silver Medal - Canadian Whisky Awards 2023

    This 98% rye, 2% malted barley vanilla-bomb spent over 4 years in used American oak and ex-amaretto barrels, providing big mouthfeel and lots of powdered sugar sweetness. A portion was finished in peated scotch barrels and then blended back together to provide subtle notes of smoke and ash.

    The nose is honey graham cracker with rye spice. Icing sugar mid with homemade blueberry muffins, finishing with creosote and telephone pole.

    59.5% ABV
    Released Nov 2021 - SOLD OUT
    Only 190 bottles produced

  • Release #3 - 'Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze'

    ‘2023 Canadian Whisky of the Year’ - Canadian Whisky Awards

    The 3rd limited release whisky from Sons of Vancouver Distillery, this 100% rye whisky was aged in used American oak, blended and transferred into bourbon barrels, and finally, rested in Virgin Islands rum casks. The rum undertones provide breezy tropical vibes that compliment the natural rye spice perfectly.

    The nose hits with pit roasted pineapple and vanilla cigarillo, continuing with pine humidor and under ripe banana on the palate. It finishes with allspice and demarara sugar, leaving you dreaming of daiquiris on the beach.

    53.5% ABV
    Released Aug 2022 - SOLD OUT
    Only 275 bottles produced

  • Release #4 - 'Summer Road Trip Across the Midwest'

    Gold Medal - Canadian Whisky Awards 2024

    Dontcha know that Canadians love American rye too?! This is a Canadian whisky blended as an ode to classic Midwest-style rye — punchy new oak with layers of aromatic baking spices and vanilla bean custard on the nose. This 100% rye whisky, made with 27% pot distillate, will have you dreaming of eating deep-fried cheese curds at the state fair. A blend of 3 to 5 year whiskies, the deep charred wood and brown sugar complexity are apparent on the palate, with baked fruit crumble, cinnamon sticks, and Granny Smith caramel apples. The finish is lingering with new American oak, pencil shavings, and ground cloves. Will it have you going in for another sip? You betcha.

    63.2% ABV
    Released March 2023 - SOLD OUT
    Only 187 bottles produced

  • Release #5 - 'Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze' (2023)

    Gold Medal - Canadian Whisky Awards 2024

    You demanded it, so we brought it back! The 2023 iteration of ‘Palm Trees and a Tropical Breeze’ Caribbean Cask Rye included 3-year and 5-year 100% rye whisky aged in ex-bourbon barrels, and finished in Barbados rum casks. Notes of tropical fruit, lots of baking spice, and vanilla bean, rounded out by a dark oak finish.

    53.5% ABV
    Released June 2023 - SOLD OUT
    Only 130 bottles produced

  • Release #6 - 'Desert Grass and Blue Agave'

    Gold Medal - Canadian Whisky Awards 2024

    This whisky will make you feel like you’re sipping a glass in a Mexican cantina. A select blend of 100% rye aged in ex-bourbon barrels, boasting notes of dry grass and bold rye spice. It was then finished in 3 separate mezcal barrels – añejo tequila, reposado tequila, and smoky Oaxacan mezcal. The nose is met with desert grass and green herbs of eucalyptus and spearmint, followed by toasted corn husk, sweet maize, and tanned leather. On the palate, coriander seeds and sage leaf are followed by savory hints of slow-roasted meats, olive brine, and pink rock salt. A truly unique expression of rye that might just have you reaching for a slice of lime.

    54.5% ABV
    Released August 2023 - SOLD OUT
    Only 151 bottles produced

  • Release #7 - 'Raiding Nonna's Liquor Cabinet'

    Silver Medal - Canadian Whisky Awards 2024

    An ode to our favourite Italian bitter liqueurs, this is a blend of 86% rye, 9% malt, and 5% wheat whiskies, finished in ex-amaro barrels after spending 3 - 5 years in ex-bourbon and used American oak barrels. With flavours similar to that of a boulevardier cocktail, the nose holds notes of candied grapefruit, pine needles, and eucalyptus, with the palate providing lots of juicy orange, charred oak, crisp tonic water, and freshly peeled citrus zest. We recommend enjoying a healthy pour over a large ice cube – preferably while relaxing on a patio in the Sicilian countryside.

    54.5% ABV
    Released Sep 2023 - SOLD OUT
    Only 240 bottles produced

  • Release #8 - 'Homemade Upside Down Apricot Cake'

    Named after your aunt’s favourite dessert to bring to holiday celebrations, this whisky is fruit-forward and perfect for sipping. The blend boasts the highest malt bill we’ve included in our whisky to date, clocking in at 21% malt and 79% rye. It was aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in our own amaretto casks. The apricot and vanilla from the amaretto highlights notes of orchard flowers, marmalade, and fruit leather on the nose, complemented by toasted oak and forest moss. The palate delivers late-spring honey and crushed cloves, finishing with chimney brick and sugar cookie dough.

    50.5% ABV
    Released Nov 2023 - SOLD OUT
    Only 246 bottles produced

  • Release #9 - 'Rolling Hills in the Morning Mist'

    Taking a sip of this earthy whisky is like breathing in damp, ocean air during a rainstorm. This 100% rye spent time in ex-bourbon barrels before resting in casks from Northern Islay. Coastal notes of spring water and moss sit alongside subtle strands of peat (think granite rather than smoke). On the nose is a gentle salinity followed by dried herbs and wet mulch, like the smell of an old, wooden garden shed. The palate brings a savoury character of stewing spices and damp soil, finishing with more minerality – akin to licking a wet, ocean rock.

    59.5% ABV
    Released Jan 2024 - SOLD OUT
    Only 254 bottles produced

  • Release #10 - 'Palm Trees and a Tropical Storm'


    A bolder, heavier take on our annual rum cask finished whisky, this 100% rye was matured in ex-bourbon casks before finishing in 10-year pot still rum barrels from a renowned Jamaican distillery. The natural esters of pot distilled rum infuse big flavours of juicy mango and green banana, complemented by a grassy, punchy backbone reminiscent of chewing on a pencil eraser--in the best way. Sweet notes of demerara sugar and pressed sugar cane juice round out the profile, with a prickly finish of star anise and crushed allspice berries.

    60.0% ABV
    Released Aug 2024 - SOLD OUT
    Only 240 bottles produced