Arbutus Distillery

Arbutus Distillery brings serious craft and a touch of the fantastical to Nanaimo, distilling award-winning spirits from 100% BC-sourced ingredients on Boxwood Road. The range is impressively deep and refreshingly unconventional: a Canadian single malt aged in bourbon casks, a rye finished in charred oak, brandy distilled from Vancouver Island grapes, copper pot-distilled Coven vodka, the herbaceous Empiric gin, and – for the bold – a traditional Baba Yaga absinthe with wormwood, anise and fennel. Beyond the core lineup sits a whole apothecary of liqueurs and specialty bottles, from elderflower and creme de lavande to espresso vodka, amaro and limoncello, all reflecting the team's pursuit of truly unique, flavour-forward spirits. The heart of the visitor experience is the Arbutus Lounge, where you can work through tastings, build a flight paired with house-made ginger beer, and order weekend cocktails like the Bohemian Mule, Arbutus Sazerac or Forest Dweller Fizz. Bottles are available to take home, and the witchy, woodland-inspired branding gives the whole space a distinctive personality you won't find elsewhere. Open midweek through the weekend, it's an easy and rewarding stop in a city that sits at the crossroads of central Vancouver Island. Whether you're a whisky devotee, a gin explorer or simply curious to taste an absinthe done properly, Arbutus rewards the adventurous palate. The knowledgeable team is happy to walk you through what makes each spirit tick, and the lounge makes a relaxed spot to settle in over a cocktail after a day exploring the region. Check current hours before visiting, and come ready to try something you've never tasted before.