Just in time for holiday hosting and gift giving, Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers has launched a collection of handcrafted liqueurs offered in limited quantities. This new series, consisting of seven different liqueurs, including Orange, Amaretto, Coffee, Chocolate, Black Currant, Gentian and Peach, are all handcrafted in small batches made with the finest seasonal ingredients.
Recently celebrating a decade of distilling, Dillon’s has worked closely with local farmers since opening their doors. Often repurposing ingredients that might have otherwise gone to waste, they are able to incorporate these elements into a diverse range of spirits. Peaches, black currants, wine grapes and rye grain, and other seasonal fruit are just some of the local ingredients sourced through local Niagara farmers.
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During the past decade, Dillon’s has taken their commitment to sourcing local to a new level by establishing their very own garden. This garden provides a steady supply of botanicals for their spirits, bitters and cocktails. Additionally, it serves as a charming backdrop for various summer events, including the highly anticipated Juniper festival, an all-encompassing celebration of all things gin.
Liqueurs are trending as the hot cocktail ingredients of the year, and these small batch bottles stand out from the rest. “If there is one thing we want to be known for, it’s experimentation with the ingredients growing around us,” says founder and distiller Geoff Dillon.
Photo courtesy of Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers.
Inspired by the distillery’s wine-country location in Beamsville, Ontario, Dillon says, “This line of spirits came from a decade of working hand-in-hand with some of the best bars and bartenders. We saw a real need for high quality, locally made liqueurs that could be used in cocktails.”
Each of these liqueurs preserves the authentic, rich and all natural flavours of Ontario’s fruits. Black currants, for instance, are sourced from a local farm in Milton for the creation of the Black Currant Liqueur (Crème de Cassis), timed precisely when the ingredients reach their peak ripeness, ensuring a rich flavour that can be enjoyed throughout the year. In this collection, both rye spirit and rum are used as the base which leads to more depth of flavour and character. The spirits guide the process and determine which brings out the best botanical and fruit flavours.
Every spirit within the range is handcrafted in small batches, using a combination of distillation methods, carefully selected ingredients, and a cold-steeping process. This artisanal production approach guarantees a robust flavour profile, defining the collection’s authentic, bold taste. Prices of the 750 mL bottles of liqueurs range from $40-$56 and are exclusively available at the distillery or from dillons.ca while supplies last.
