History

Liberty Distillery opened in 2013 on Granville Island in Vancouver and has since offered Vancouver’s first handmade, truly artisanal premium spirits made from 100% organic BC grain. Authenticity, quality and heritage are at the heart of Liberty Distillery’s philosophy and are reflected in our spirits. The company was founded by Lisa and Robert Simpson, who wish to celebrate and carry forward traditional distilling practices – fermentation and distillation take place on-site on Granville Island, right from organic grain to glass. There is a focus on ensuring that the sensoriality of zymology is conveyed through a storytelling approach and a “Grains to Glass” philosophy.

The history also describes the meaning of the name – Liberty symbolizes freedom and the will to create against the odds, and the distillery is mentioned alongside Liberty Wine Merchants as part of a longer story about heritage, community, and responsibility. Emphasis is placed on environmental sustainability and social responsibility throughout the production and in the community around Granville Island.

Production / Processing

Stills and Equipment

Liberty Distillery uses handcrafted copper-pot stills designed by CARL in Germany (140 L and 220 L), which include a swan neck and a Charentaise-style alembic helmet with direct steam heating. The column/still system for vodka consists of two sequential rectification columns with a total of 16 plates, enabling mash stripping, whiskey distillation and on-site production of vodka, gin and other spirits.

The Basic Process

• Mash: Selected grain is mixed in a mash tun with hot water, enzymes to convert starch to sugars, producing a wort.
• Ferment: The wort is transferred to inox tanks, cooled and yeast is added, yielding a wash of about 8–10% alcohol.
• Distill: The wash is transferred to the copper stills. Stripping run is the first distillation, concentrating alcohol content from about 8–10% to 25–35%. Both copper stills are used in this phase. Triple distillation occurs to create a more delicate, smooth spirit. For vodka, the rectification column with at least 16 plates is used for the highest purity.
• Final step: The spirit vapors are reduced using fresh BC coastal mountain seawater to the final label content (42%, 45% or 47% alc./vol. in the products Truth Vodka, Endeavour Gin and Railspur No. 1 White). Any remaining impurities are removed by filtration through activated carbon; timing and technique are adjusted depending on desired flavor profiles. The entire process is supervised by the Master Distiller.

Taste and Quality

Throughout the distillation process, quality is carefully controlled and it is established that all spirits are at least triple-distilled and meet Liberty’s high standards. An essential aspect is also the use of 100% BC-organic grain and on-site production – everything from malting to tasting is done on Granville Island, underscoring the “Grains to Glass” approach.

Visit and Experience

The distillery invites tours and tastings to explain the production and show the copper stills and the process up close. Tours are normally available Friday to Sunday (and in certain periods other days) with small groups and include tastings for guests over 19 years old. Please note that tours are temporarily suspended due to staffing.

Whisky Series – Products

Railspur Series (Unaged and “Switch”)

• Railspur No. 1 White: 100% BC-organic barley, single pot, triple-distilled, unaged spirit with notes of barley, beeswax and honey cake.
• Railspur No. 2 Wildflower Honey: unaged spirit infused with wildflower honey, finishing with a dominant honey note.
• Railspur No. 3 Switch: barley-based spirit, triple-distilled and subsequently cask-aged in used 220L bourbon barrels for under a year – a twist on traditional whisky.

Trust Whisky Series

• Trust Canadian Rye Whisky: 75% rye and 25% barley (Armstrong, BC) triple-distilled in a CARL-still; master-aged in 220L red Burgundy casks for 3 years, finished in new American oak casks; typical notes: spicy, apples, honey and vanilla.
• Trust Southern Whisky: mashes of 100% organic corn (BC); triple-distilled in CARL-still; 3 years in new American oak barrels; classic bourbon-inspired profile.
• Trust Single Malt Whisky: 100% 2-row pale malt from Peace River; 7 years maturation in ex-bourbon casks; complex palate of citrus, honey and vanilla.
• Trust Single Grain Whisky: 100% barley, single grain; 3 years maturation in used bourbon casks; deep malty notes and a smooth finish.
• Trust Whiskey Single Cask: the Bordeaux, Burgundy, Port and Madeira variants – each blended to 8 years (or longer on some borrowed casks) in French casks for character and color; flavors include brown sugar, almonds, toffee and chocolate.
• Trust Anniversary Cask Strength: 62.5% alc./vol.; 7.5 years aging in 200L bourbon casks; full, spicy and complex flavor profile without chill filtration.
• Trust Southern Cask Strength: 62.5% alc./vol.; northern bourbon-inspired profile, unfiltered and uncoloured, with high intensity and vanilla/spiced finish.
• Trust Whiskey Single Malt/Malt expressions: exist as part of the range and are described as even more sophisticated and complex with notes of honey, grain and malt.
• There are also several related products and variations under the categories Trust Whiskey Single Cask and other cask-age variants such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Port and Madeira, each offering different cask characteristics and finishes.

Finally – unaged, young whiskeys

• Truth and Railspur unnamed to date – but the distillery remains actively producing and offers different whiskey lines and unique cask variants in their range.

The Experience

The Experience

• Liberty Distillery features a Cocktail Lounge and individual face-to-face experiences where guests can enjoy signature cocktails and classics based on Liberty’s spirits.
• Tours and Tastings are part of the experience: guided tours of the distillery, cellar visits and a concluding tasting. Tours are usually offered during weekends and require a reservation.
• Private events and functions are also available, including off-site bartending and catering consultation.
• Note: Tours are temporarily suspended due to staffing challenges. The distillery is located on Granville Island and also features a historic 125-year-old Saloon Bar area for visits and tastings.

Philosophy and Values

Mission and Values

• Spirits are about appreciation, participation, and moderation. Distillation is an art and science, requiring time, experience and care; a blend of house-style and craftsmanship, just like chefs, winemakers and shipbuilders.
• The values include Heart, Courage, Excellence, Integrity, Communication, Creativity/Ingenuity/Initiative, Positive Attitude and Fun. Courage encourages innovation and challenging the status quo; Excellence focuses on quality and continuous improvement; Integrity as a foundation; Communication as the basis for trust and relationships; Creativity, initiative and a positive mindset as drivers of growth and experiences. Finally, there is an emphasis on having fun and a culture of courage, learning and community.

Production and History Summary

• Liberty Distillery runs on-site production from 100% organic BC grains; triple-distillation; copper-stills (CARL) designed in Germany; 140 L and 220 L capacities; 16-plate column for vodka; advanced filtration and water supply from the BC coast to final ABV; focus on “Grains to Glass” and authentic craftsmanship.
• They maintain a broad whisky portfolio (Single Malt, Single Grain, Canadian Rye, Southern, and various Single Cask variants), as well as the Railspur line for unaged and aged expressions. Their actions and events, along with a story of heritage and community, form the basis of their culture and marketing.

The sources describe the production, materials and flavor profiles in detail, providing a thorough understanding of Liberty Distillery’s approach to craftsmanship, quality and tradition.