A guide to the best distilleries in Ontario

Ottawa Region

North of 7 Distillery

A recent gold medal winner at the Canadian Whisky Awards, Ottawa’s first micro-distillery produces five types of Canadian whisky, plus vodka, gin and rum using local ingredients and aged barrels. In addition, you’ll want to try L’Absinthe Sordide, which contains herbs from Europe, Australia and Asia.

Fun fact: drinking their Leatherback Rum will save endangered animals. For each bottle sold, a portion is donated to sea turtle conservation via the Sea Turtle Network charitable organization.

Tours and tastings are available.

Location: 733 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa

Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Spirit of York Distillery

Spirit of York blends history and tradition with contemporary innovation. The name hearkens back to a time when Toronto was called ‘York’ and the city was renowned for its great distilleries. Located in the heart of Toronto’s Distillery District, Spirit of York has revived the old malting room from the Gooderham and Worts Distillery and given it a contemporary twist.

In addition to premium quality rye and gin, guests are treated to a tasting lounge, a rustic bitters library, a botanicals wall, a ‘spirits hub’ for mixology brainstorming and the chance to watch the distilling process through the floor-to-ceiling glass wall on one of their tasting and tour offerings.

Location: 12 Trinity Street, Toronto

Reid’s Distillery

Located in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood, Reid’s is a family-run distillery that specializes in flavourful, world-class gins made from Canadian wheat and locally sourced juniper and other botanicals.

Book a tour, browse the store for cocktail essentials and gifts and check out their calendar of unique events including yoga in the distillery, gin and jazz, high tea and cocktail-making classes.

Location: 32 Logan Avenue, Toronto

Yongehurst Distillery

Discover Toronto’s first small-batch micro-distillery, including rum made from Ontario apples and gin infused with local elderflowers and juniper.

Open for retail and tutored tastings on the weekends

Location: 346 Westmoreland Avenue North, Toronto

Southwestern Ontario

Wolfhead Distillery

During the prohibition years in the US, rum-running was a lucrative activity in southwest Ontario, and Windsor became the birthplace of quality Canadian whisky. You needn’t be so cloak and dagger today to get your hands on premium craft whisky and vodka.

With the use of limestone-treated water from the local Amherstburg quarry and a reputation of pushing the boundaries of Canadian spirits, Wolfhead is known to create unique blends. Award-winning flavours include apple caramel whisky, coffee liqueur whisky, banana caramel vodka and grapefruit vodka.

Book a tour and tasting and pair a signature cocktail with a meal at the restaurant. Note: Wolfhead is also a stop on the Windsor Essex Barrels, Bottles & Brews tour.

Location: Entrance #1, 7781 Howard Avenue, Amherstburg

Niagara Region

Dillon’s Small Batch Distilleries

Dillon’s produces small batch, grape-based white rye, vodka, gin and bitters that are making quite a large splash. In true locavore fashion, ingredients include fresh fruit, herbs and grain from surrounding wine country, as well as home-grown botanicals.

Best known for its Unfiltered Gin 22, Dillon’s also produces vodka, absinthe and schnapps.

The distillery is approximately half an hour's drive west of Hamilton on the edge of Lake Ontario.

Location:  4833 Tufford Road, Beamsville

Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery

When you’re nicknamed “the Great One”, there’s no question your whisky will be a game changer. Standing out from the wine crowd is Gretzky No 99 ‘Red Cask’ Canadian Whisky, crafted from local grain and finished in red wine casks.

The facility is an experience too, with hockey memorabilia paying homage to the Canadian icon and an ice rink onsite.

Location: 1219 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Forty Creek Distillery

This lakeside distillery outside of Hamilton serves their whisky and cream liquors in delicious cocktails. Visit for a tasting and learn more about this iconic Canadian company that has crafted award-winning whisky year after year. Don’t miss the new addition, a smooth and delicious Butter Tart Cream.

Location: 297 South Service Road, Grimsby

Polonée Distillery Inc.

Tour this small, artisanal distillery and taste their signature Kannuk vodka, a handcrafted Polish-Canadian blend that celebrates Canada’s diverse culture.

Location: 380 Vansickle Road, Unit 450, St. Catharines

Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington

Junction 56 Distillery

Junction 56 Distillery is as local as it gets. All of their spirits start with 100% Ontario-grown grains brought together with ingredients from local businesses to create their handcrafted flavoured liqueurs.

Private, guided tastings are available, just call to arrange in advance. Be sure to sample their signature Cambria St premium whisky.

Location: 45 Cambria Street, Stratford

Dixon’s Distilled Spirits

The fresh taste and flavourful combinations of Dixon’s gin, vodka, moonshine and rye are sure to liven up any atmosphere.

Dixon’s offers hour-long tour and tasting events as well as hosting as a venue for your special occasions.

Location: 355 Elmira Road North Unit 106, Guelph

Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery

Located on a picturesque farm estate in the scenic countryside of Ayr, Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery creates delicious gin and vodka, in addition to brewing a unique line of beers.

Stop by to enjoy a menu of tasty food including Sunday brunch and complex cocktails.

Location: 1271 Reidsville Road, Ayr

Murphy’s Law Moonshine Distillery

Taste authentic handcrafted, corn-based Appalachian-style moonshine at Murphy’s Law. Book a 45 minute tour to see the distillery operation first-hand and taste a selection of products.

Location: 90 Earl Martin Drive, Elmira

Silver Fox Distillery

Visit this award-winning distillery for its signature three grain FixShine White Lightning Moonshine and discover the newest vodkas, gins and whiskys being developed.

Location: 7999 Wellington County Road 109, Arthur

Bruce, Grey and Simcoe

Spy Cider House & Distillery

This Grey County cider house and distillery not only has fresh ciders and delicious gin and brandy made from organic apples on the farm but also a swanky tasting bar and slick spy-themed branding.

Location: 808108, Side Road 24, Clarksburg

Kawarthas and Northumberland

Black’s Distillery

Locally owned, small batch, handcrafted spirits made from organic Red Fife Wheat, a strain invented by Peterborough County resident, David Fife in 1842. It’s that local.

Location: 99 Hunter Street East, Peterborough

Southeastern Ontario

Kinsip House of Fine Spirits

It doesn’t get more ‘Ontario’ than maple whisky, finished in barrels used for ageing maple syrup.

This farm-based, grain-to-glass distillery is located in the heart of Prince Edward County and is a must-visit for all cocktail connoisseurs. Visit for a three spirit tasting along with a sample cocktail on the patio, surrounded by pastoral scenery and resident free-range chickens. Pick up a bottle of Juniper’s Wit Old Tom Gin or Kinsip Whisky Barrel Aged Maple Syrup.

Location: 66 Gilead Road, Bloomfield

Top Shelf Distillers

Located in Lanark County, Top Shelf Distillers have built a legacy on their spirits and liqueurs.

The selection of moonshine is made from locally sourced ingredients and features a wide range of unique flavours to suit any special occasion – some of which feel particularly Canadian. 

Location: 14 Warren Crescent, Perth  

Dairy Distillery

Employing artisanal distilling techniques with cutting-edge science, Dairy Distillery transforms unused milk sugar (excess lactose, minerals and vitamins left over in the processing of milk and butter) into a smooth and clean spirit.

The outcome is a good news story, a great opportunity for Ontario dairy farmers, one more way to reduce waste, and the crafting of a new spirit: Vodkow!

Location: 34 Industrial Drive, Almonte

King’s Lock Craft Distillery

Just outside Kingston in Johnstown, King’s Lock is an organic distillery that crafts small-batch spirits fit for royalty.

From vodka to gin to ryes, there’s plenty to taste on a tour – but be sure to try the 1000 Islands Moonshine, known for its sweet taste that requires no mixer.

Location: 5 Newport Drive UNIT #1, Johnstown

Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound

Muskoka Brewery

This landmark, cottage-country brewery also produces small batch traditional, dry gin distilled with wild junipers, orris root, orange peel and fresh heather.

Muskoka Spirits also offers four flavours of its Hard Sparkling Water, using natural fruit flavours and ingredients. There's something for everyone from spirits to craft beer and a new non-alcoholic sparkling tea infusion, Wandr. Lakeside sundowners just got more exciting.

Location: 1964 Muskoka Beach Road, Bracebridge

Copperhead Distillery and Spirits Ltd.

Whisky, rum, vodka and gin are all crafted from local, organic fruits and grains, as well as seasonal specials like maple moonshine and spiked eggnog – all sold in mason jars. You’re welcome to sample them warmed at the bar.

Location: 68 Tower Road, Sundridge

Northern Ontario

Distillerie Rheault Distillery

Discover Northern Ontario’s smooth, clean vodka served with warm hospitality. Rheault Distillery produces the only alpha vodka in Canada, containing 0% methanol with a sweet scent and a silky finish.

Even the bottle is a work of art, the logo on the Loon Vodka was designed by Stephen Peltonen, a local Indigenous artist. While you’re there, chat with owners, Marcel and Mireille, for their tips on running home-based distilleries.

Location: 6 Highway 583 Nord RR 2 #19, Hearst

Crosscut Distillery

With innovation and quality top of mind, Sudbury’s first distillery produces a small batch collection of fresh and creative whisky, gin and vodkas. Visit the cocktail bar to sip and sample.

Location: 1347 Kelly Lake Road, Sudbury