The Tonik Distillery

Nestled in the Slocan Valley below the dramatic Thirteen Peaks of the Valhalla Mountains, The Tonik Distillery is a true micro-producer with a singular focus: exceptional gin. Working in ultra-small batches of around 150 bottles at a time and using pure glacial water, the distillery crafts naturally driven spirits that celebrate their wild Kootenay surroundings. The lineup centres on gin in several distinctive expressions, including a Gimli London Dry, an award-winning Old Tom, a bright Lemongrass and an adventurous Cucumber Jalapeño, each one capturing a different mood and palate. When you visit, the distillery's lounge is the place to experience it all. Open Thursday through Saturday afternoons into the evening, it's an intimate spot to settle in for craft cocktails built around the house gins, with food available to accompany your drinks. The small scale means the atmosphere is personal and unhurried, the kind of place where you can ask questions about how the spirits are made and genuinely get answers. The Old Tom gin, described as rich, rounded and versatile, has earned recognition and makes a fine introduction, while the citrus-forward Lemongrass offers a crisp, vibrant contrast. The surrounding Crescent Valley and broader Slocan region are part of the appeal. This is one of the quieter, more scenic corners of the West Kootenays, ringed by glaciated peaks and laced with rivers, lakes and hiking trails. A visit to The Tonik rewards travelers willing to wander off the main routes, offering a taste of small-batch craft made with care and a strong sense of place. Because the lounge keeps limited weekend hours, it's worth planning your stop around them so you can relax over a cocktail and soak in the mountain setting that gives these gins their character.