premium, Newfoundland-distilled liquor

When you hear the phrase "would you care for a drink?” in a male British accent, you think one thing: kind of James Bond-ish. But when Englishman, Peter Wilkins, says it - then those words take on a much deeper meaning than "shaken, not stirred."

He, along with his business partner and long-time friend William Carter both care very much for a drink. They care about the sourcing, the scents, the process, the making, distilling, the bottling, the distributing, the selling, and the consuming. They are the two behind The Newfoundland Distillery Company, the first full distillery active in Newfoundland in more than 125-years.

125-year legacy 

The product line can be found at Newfoundland Liquor Corporation stores and outlets throughout the province, as well as at The Newfoundland Distillery Company itself in Clarke’s Beach.

It started with the gin. In keeping with the tastes of his birthplace, Peter saw the resurgence of gin as a perfect fit for his Newfoundland home (think juniper berries and other flora of the forest that grow in NL). Meanwhile, Bill had spent years Master Chef-ing for political elites in Ottawa (including a few Prime Ministers), had perfected the delicate balances of look and scent and taste and presentation, and was ready to head home.

a taste of the land

The Newfoundland Distillery started production in 2016. local is the focus and is used as much as possible. The vodka uses local barley (triple shocker - 1) vodka is made from barley, and, 2) we grow barley!), and 3) more barley has been planted on the west coast of our island. While that barley is growing, barley from other Atlantic provinces is also being used, and when that’s unavailable... wheat from other Atlantic provinces is used.

Less surprising is the local sourcing of juniper berries, bakeapples, savoury, but the surprise bumps up again with seaweed.

Peter says, “It tastes a bit salty but not tingly. It’s not common, but we aren’t the first to use it either. I’ve had another very nice one in London. It’s a bit of A Thing.” 

The Newfoundland Distillery makes gin, vodka, aquavit, a couple of flavours of rum, bitters, and ready to drink cocktails.

drinking with friends

The distillery features an absolutely gorgeous tasting room where next-level experiences are made with the spirits unleashed by the distillery. savour a Harvest Moon rum cocktail overlooking the water, or sidle up to the great big bar for a seaweed gin experience.  There's a gorgeous outdoor space where happy visitors sample the spirits accompanied by extraordinary bread, cheese and other delish bits all as local as possible. Friends, families and aficionados can experience the smooth and exciting tastes in the midst of smooth and exciting scenery.

Community-building is very important for The Newfoundland Distillery Company. Along with being as local as possible, they aim is to supply the finest quality spirits to the province, sourced and made in the province.

 

more Newfoundland Distillery

• VIDEO - check out the We Got This episode we made on a sunny day in 2020.