Forbidden Spirits Distilling

Forbidden Spirits Distilling is a craft distillery in Kelowna that has built its reputation on a simple idea: turning Okanagan apples into ultra-premium spirits. The company's story began in 2010 when founder Blair Wilson purchased an apple orchard in southeast Kelowna, and the orchard remains at the heart of the operation, with many of the apples used in production grown in the surrounding area. The flagship Forbidden Spirits Vodka is handcrafted from BC apples that are pressed, fermented and distilled fifty times in an artisan copper still, one batch at a time, and the wider portfolio plays on the Garden of Eden theme with brands including Rebel Vodka, Eve's Original Gin, Adam's Apple Brandy and Wallace Hill Whisky. The distillery has grown into one of the Okanagan's notable craft spirits producers and is unusual among them in being publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange. For visitors, Forbidden Spirits adds a worthwhile spirits stop to a Kelowna wine itinerary. Guests can sample the apple-based vodka, gin and brandy at the tasting room and pick up bottles to take home, experiencing first-hand how the Okanagan's famous orchard fruit translates into the glass. The apple theme is more than branding: this part of Kelowna has been orchard country for generations, and the distillery's products are a direct continuation of that agricultural heritage, simply expressed through copper rather than the packing house. Travellers exploring the Okanagan's growing craft beverage scene will find the distillery an easy complement to nearby wineries, breweries and cideries, and a good reminder that the valley's drinks story extends well beyond grapes. As hours and tour offerings can change seasonally, checking the website or calling ahead before visiting is recommended.