Why It’s Time to Stand with Canadian Craft Distillers - A Turning Point
The Canadian craft spirits landscape is growing—but not always in the right direction. More consumers than ever are looking for real, high-quality spirits made with care and looking to support local craft distillers. At the same time, a wave of mass-produced brands is entering the market, trying to look craft without actually being craft.
I founded Durham Distillery, a local Ontario distillery, on the belief that real
tastes better. That means using only all-natural ingredients, crafting in small batches, and refusing to cut corners. Today, that belief is more important than ever—and it needs defending.
Mass-Produced Spirits Are Disguised as “Craft”
It’s not hard to spot the difference—if you know what to look for.
More large producers are labelling their bottles as “small-batch,” “handcrafted,” or even “locally inspired.” But behind the branding, many of these spirits are produced in huge facilities with additives, artificial flavours, and no connection to real craft distilling values.
At Durham Distillery, we don’t just wear the craft label—we live it. Every Don't Fear the Reaper Vodka or Apple Pie Moonshine bottle is made with locally sourced ingredients, carefully distilled, and rigorously taste-tested before it ever reaches the shelf.
How Policy Leaves Local Distillers Behind
Here’s the truth: while mass producers flood the market, small Canadian distilleries face outdated regulations and unequal access to shelf space and distribution.
At the LCBO, for example, it’s far easier for big-name brands to secure visibility. Meanwhile, independent distilleries like ours are often delisted—even when our products outperform in taste and consumer feedback.
We need modern policies that support craft spirit producers committed to quality, not just quantity. This means creating fairer shelf placement rules, incentivizing the use of real ingredients, and opening more opportunities for consumer education and discovery.
Why This Matters to Craft Spirit Lovers
If you care about what’s in your glass, you should care about where it comes from.
Our customers—the Craft Connoisseurs—want more than just flavour. They want connection. They want to know the story behind the still, the source of the ingredients, and the hands that made it. And they want to be part of a movement that values integrity over mass appeal.
Supporting local distilleries in Ontario (and across Canada) isn’t just about buying better spirits—it’s about investing in the future of real craftsmanship.
How You Can Support True Craft Distilling
Here’s how to make a difference:
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- Choose real craft: Look for distillers who are transparent about ingredients, process, and scale. Start with Durham Distillery—we’re proud to share our story.
- Ask for Durham Distillery at your local bar or restaurant.
- Buy other local spirits at the LCBO and share why it matters with staff and friends.
- Share this story to help others discover what “real” should taste like.
The Bottom Line: Real Tastes Better. Real Deserves Better.
At Durham Distillery, we’ll always choose quality over shortcuts. We’ll never add artificial flavours. We’ll never compromise our small-batch standards. And we’ll always advocate for policies that protect what makes craft spirits worth sipping.
Because when you support local, you’re not just getting a better bottle. You’re keeping the soul of Canadian craft distilling alive.
Let’s raise our glass—and our voices.
Cheers!