Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers : Beamsville, Ontario (Niagara Wine Route)

Name: Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers
Address: 4833 Tufford Rd, Lincoln, ON L0R 1B1 Canada
Website: Website
Wifi: No
Tender: Credit, Debit, Cash
Neighbourhood: Beamsville, Ontario (Niagara Wine Route)
Type: Alcohol/Beverage

Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers is a small artisan Distillery located in Beamsville, Ontario just 1-1.5 hour drive South of Toronto along the Niagara Wine Route. Since launching back in 2012 Dillon’s has become somewhat of a local legend and highly regarded by bars and cocktail/spirit aficionados across Ontario.

Driving along the Niagara wine route it’s hard not to spot the pale blue character-filled building bearing their logo from the highway. It’s proximity to Niagara is a strategic one so that they can be close to the local farms from which the ingredients of their products are grown. Dillon’s is obsessively local with their Gin and Vodka being produced from 100% Niagara grapes and their Rye and Whisky from 100% Canadian grown rye. Even their bitters are made with the same Niagara grapes, local fruits, botanicals, and herbs.

The inside of Dillon’s is just as character filled as the outside. Accented with all natural materials such as wood and concrete the space is filled with every cocktail lover’s dream. In addition to spirits and bitters a selection of specialty barware, mixes, and merchandise is also available for sale.

With plenty of seating for tours and tastings both group and private tours are available during their summer hours where you can tour the distillery, the sipping room, and learn about their process from start to finish.

On the day that we visit the following is on their sample menu:

Dillon’s Signature Spirits

Method 95 Vodka – Made with 100% Niagara wine grapes. XXX distilled s pirit, smooth and slightly sweet finish. Recommended with Caesar or seasonal fruit based cocktail

White Rye – Handcrafted from 100% Ontario Rye Grain without aging in wood. This is done to bring out the true flavors of the grain. Recommended in margarita or with ginger beer

Unfiltered Gin 22 – Crafted from Dillon’s grape spirit, their signature gin is distilled with 22 botanicals. Very floral with citrus notes & anise. Recommended with gimlet or mixed with seasonal syrup or shrub.

Dry Gin 7 – Made with 100% Ontario rye grain base classically inspired rye gin uses 7 botanicals juniper, citrus x 2, coriander, cardamom, angelica root, orris root. Recommended with martinis.

 

Dillon’s Specialty Spirits

Limoncello – Fresh lemon, lemon peel, cardamom & lemon verbena steeped in grape spirit and sweetened.

Cherry Gin – Dry Gin 7 as base, bleneded with local sour cherries and sweetened lightly giving perfect balance of tart & sweet. Recommened with G&T or Negroni

Rose Gin – steep rose hips & rose petals in Dry Gin 7 for 4-6 weeks then sweeten with Turbinado sugar. A sweet, tea-like flavor with hint of cinnamon. Sip over ice or make modern twist on French 75

Each is poured into a 1 oz shot glass for sampling with the Signature Spirit tastings being complimentary and the Specialty Spirits costing $1 CDN + tax per taste. One after the next each one tastes clean and is incredibly aromatic and complex.

While particularly known for their gin, which is outstanding, it’s their Method 95 Vodka and Limoncello that standout for me. Unfortunately they are out of Cherry Gin for tasting that day but based on the rest that I taste I already make a plan to track some down at the local LCBO. The spirits and bitters are also available for purchase directly from the distillery and prices range from approximately $19 CDN + tax (375ml)-$40 CDN + tax (750ml) for the Signature Spirits and $25 CDN + tax (375ml)-$50 CDN + tax (750ml) for Specialty Spirits. Bitters sell for approximately $15 CDN + tax (100ml) with the option to mix and match for gift sets. It’s impossible to not want to stock your entire bar with all things Dillon’s.

Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to Dillon’s. If you’re on your way to Niagara a stop at Dillon’s is a must visit if you’re looking for an experience that unique and intimate, just like the spirits they craft.

 

Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored, nor was anything gifted to me. All opinions expressed are my own. All menu offerings and prices are accurate as of time of posting, please refer to restaurant/shop for most up to date information.

*All images are copyrighted Allons.Y Styling & Photography. Please do not use or re-post without written consent and provide credit where applicable.