Francois Joubert and Chris Burke, Okanagan Spirits' distillers, admire the awards from the 2025 World Spirits Awards (photo courtesy of Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery)

By Liam Verster

World Spirits Awards

Okanagan Spirits takes golds in world whisky competition

Mar 24, 2025 | 11:44 AM

The distillery that operates in Vernon and Kelowna took home a prestigious awards from an international competition.

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery participated in the 2025 World Spirits Awards in Germany, where the local distillery earned 11 gold and five silver medals, as well as the titles of “Worldwide Whisky 2025” and “World Spirits Awards World-Class Distillery 2025.”

“To represent Canada and to claim the Worldwide Whisky designation for a second time this decade is a dream come true for our family distillery,” Okanagan Spirits President, Tony Dyck, said.

“Our entire team is so proud just to be in the company of the best distillers from around the world”

The awards Okanagan Spirits won at the international competition were:

Candidate

'Trump is the five-alarm fire': Liberal Juliette Sicotte

Mar 28, 2025

Flight From Police

Arraignment in flight from police case to go in April

Mar 28, 2025

Arena Upgrades

Lumby's Pat Duke Arena getting a new roof

Mar 27, 2025

• Gold:
  • Laird of Fintry Single-Malt Whisky (Whiskey Worldwide / Double-Wood Single-Malt Whisky)
  • Laird of Fintry Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (Whisky Worldwide / Single-Malt Cask Strength Whisky)
  • Laird of Fintry Cask Finish Single-Malt Whisky( Whisky Worldwide / Double-Wood Canadian Whisky)
  • 1Malt Single-Malt Whisky (Whisky Worldwide / Single-Malt Whisky)
  • Proof: Single-Malt Whisky finished with Pear Brandy casks (Whisky Worldwide / Cask Strength Canadian Whisky)
  • Final Proof: Okanagan Saison Whisky finished in Apricot Brandy casks (Whisky Worldwide / Single-Grain Whisky)
  • Proof: Cigar Whisky – Pioneer Country Process (Whisky Worldwide / Blended Cigar Whisky)
  • Poire Williams Pear Brandy (Fruit Brandies / Traditional Method)
  • Haskap Liquer (Liquer / Traditional Maceration Method)
  • Cherry Liquer (Liquer / Traditional Maceration Method)
  • Blackcurrant Liquer (Liquer / Traditional Maceration Method)
• Silver:
  • Road’s End Whisky (Whisky Worldwide / Corn Whisky)
  • Proof: Maple-Brûlée Pioneer Country Process Rye Whisky (Whisky Worldwide / Rye Whisky)
  • Cabin Gin Green Label (Gin Worldwide / New Western Style)
  • Amaro Classico (Herbal Liquer-Exotic)
  • Raspberry Liquer (Liquer / Traditional Maceration Method)

“We are still trying to pick our jaws up off the floor” Okanagan Spirits CEO, Tyler Dyck, said.

“To be judged by the world’s most celebrated and respected spirits industry experts, and to walk away with so many of the top awards; especially to claim top of the podium in seven whisky categories is simply amazing.”

The distillery added over 50 of its products were made from 100 per cent B.C. grain and fruit, and the CEO said the success of the spirits “is a real testament to our amazing local farmers who grow for us.”