Okanagan Spirits Awarded Coveted “World Class Distillery” Designation

Canada’s Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery wins 12 medals including “Distillery of the Year” and “Spirit of the Year”, and is awarded the coveted “World Class Distillery” designation at 2013 Worlds Spirit Awards

MARCH 18, 2013 – Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery has achieved the pinnacle of achievement in the world of craft distillation by winning “Distillery of the Year”, and “Spirit of the Year” along with the “World Class Distillery” designation at the 2013 World Spirits Awards held in Klagenfurt Austria.

These awards and classifications add to Okanagan Spirits already comprehensive list of awards and accolades at this international spirits competition, but according to their Master Distiller, Peter von Hahn, “This level of recognition puts us along side a very elite group of world class distillers who are the superstars of the industry“.  “It was an amazing honour a few years ago, when we became Canada’s only Master Class Distillery, but to surpass that this year with becoming North Americas only World Class Distillery, and being named the World Spirits Awards “Distillery of the Year”, is simply astounding.”

In order to achieve this top honour at the 2013 World Spirits Awards, Okanagan Spirits Master Distiller Peter von Hahn needed a gold medal sweep across a full category, which would mean five gold medals out of five spirits entered in a particular category of alcohol production.  But he didn’t stop there!  In fact von Hahn went on to win Distillery of the Year, Spirit of the Year and medal with all 10 of his B.C. Fruit made spirits that he entered, claiming one double gold medal, four gold medals, and five silver medals for his products spanning Liqueurs, Eau de Vie Fruit Brandies, Aquavit and Absinthe.  In fact, Okanagan Spirits Black Currant liqueur was given the highest points score ever given to a product at the World spirits event.

“I had previously stated that we needed to dream big to achieve success at an awards event of this caliber, and I guess that big dream came true, placing us directly on top of the world stage of craft spirit production.” Said von Hahn.

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery, with a portfolio over 25 different types of alcohol made from 100% BC fruit and grain, has over 50 World Spirits awards to their name, and is now Canada’s only Master Class Distillery, North America’s only World Class Distillery, and this years World Spirits Awards Distillery of the Year.

List of Awards for Okanagan Spirits 2013 World Spirits Awards for CANADA

Classification: World-Class Distillery 2013, First-Class Distillery 2013 & Distillery of the Year GOLD (Bitter & Liköre)
Double-Gold Medal: Black Currant Liqueur (Spirit of the Year 2013 und World-Spirits Award 2013) Highest points score ever achieved at a World Spirits Awards event (97.7pts)
Gold Medal: Absinthe Classic, Aquavit, Cherry Liqueur, Raspberry Liqueur
Silver Medal: Pear Williams Yellow, Bradshaw Plum, Plum Wood Aged, Apple Wood Aged, Cherry Staccato