New Canadian distillery ‘operational by June’

A new whisky distillery and brewery under construction in Greater Victoria, British Colombia, is set to be up and running by June following investment from the Canadian government and whisky enthusiasts.

Macaloney Distillers is set to open a new whisky distillery and brewery in Greater Victoria, Canada

Victoria Caledonian Distillery and Brewery, a start-up venture from Macaloney Distillers, will produce whisky and beer at a 17,000 sq ft site.

Graeme Macaloney, founder of Macaloney Brewers & Distillers, told the Times Colonist that equipment is en route to the distillery for installation, adding that he is “fairly confident” the plant will be commissioned by June.

The Victoria Caledonian Distillery got under way following a CA$2.37 million (about US$1.6m) commitment from the federal government in 2014, with further investment from whisky and beer fans.

The new build is expected to create up to 12 new jobs within its first year of operation.

A team of executives and advisors behind the new-build distillery includes noted industry consultant Dr. Jim Swan, and Kilchoman distillery founder-owner, Anthony Wills.

Once up-and-running, the distillery will utilise “accelerated maturation technologies” to speed up whisky development, Macaloney Distillers says.

Tourism will remain central to the distillery, with tours and tutored tastings set to be offered once the facility is commissioned.

A major draw is expected to be a programme where consumers can “craft” their own whisky. Visitors will have the opportunity to blend liquid from ten different cask types, and can even purchase a 30-litre cask of their chosen spirit for CA$4,800 (about US$ 3,270).

The news of the Victoria Caledonian Distillery and Brewery build follows a period of heightened interest in Canadian whisky. Last year, Jim Murray named Canada’s Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye his whisky of 2015, while Campari has previously stated that whisky produced in the country will become as big as Bourbon.