King’s Lock Craft Distillery first certified organic and kosher distillery in Ontario
King’s Lock Craft Distillery creates spirits that make you feel good.
Distilling artisanal gin, whiskey, rye, rum and vodka, from scratch and in-house, King’s Lock is hyper-local. Everything is crafted in small batches on-site in the Johnstown distillery, using their own recipes, with ingredients grown just down the road.
It’s sold right where it’s made, certified organic and kosher – and the difference is in the uniquely Canadian taste. Indeed, King’s Lock Craft Distillery is worthy of a crown.
The distillery owned by Rob Heuvel and Laura Bradley is an extension of their organic farm, sustainable green principles and their love of spirits.
Getting started
Bradley said the distillery was born out of seeing a need: they had difficulty finding organic spirits for their own enjoyment, so they created the opportunity for themselves. Having started the dream in 2015 as organic farmers, their commitment to sustainable grain-to-grass ethics led to opening Ontario’s first and only certified organic distillery and one of the largest production capacities in the province. After beginning to sell product in August 2016, their unique spirits took off.
“We are also the only certified Kosher distillery in Ontario,” Bradley said, noting it’s important to them to craft their spirits with minimal impact on the environment.
Bradley said they take that a step further and contribute positively to the community in a unique manner through local employment, supporting local farmers, farming many of the ingredients on their own family farm, and welcoming visitors to the distillery like they are family.
What’s more, they’re keen to share knowledge of distilling their nine spirits and small-batch specialties. Bradley said curious visitors can dive into the details and take a peek behind-the-scenes to witness distilling firsthand at their Johnstown location. “We offer tours and sample tastes – visitors can learn the process of distilling, see the still, hear descriptions and ask questions about it all,” Bradley said.
In fact, the distillery in Johnstown includes green-focused design choices that also add to the overall experience. For example, the building incorporates many large windows for natural light, allowing visitors a visual of the copper pot still from inside the distillery – and also from the road when they drive by.
Savouring spirits
Bradley said people are realizing that when it comes to spirits, it’s not about the quantity you drink, it’s the quality. If the accolades are any indication, King’s Lock excels in that department. So far, King’s Lock Craft Distillery has earned 14 awards for its spirits.
From their warm, oaky Organic Moonshine on ice, to their flavourful Organic Aged Gin in an evening martini, to their internationally award-winning full-bodied, bourbon barrel-aged amber Organic Rum, King’s Lock Craft Distillery is creating your next go-to with flair.
Bradley said of particular note is the double-distilled vodka crafted from local, organic corn, creating a clean, velvety vodka – something that is coveted as more people are turning to vodka as a sipper. Alternatively, it also blends incredibly, meaning no harshness in cocktails.
In fact, one unique vodka creation has taken off so well at King’s Lock that it’s now stocked all year: garlic vodka. Bradley said they use organic, eastern Ontario garlic for the spirit that quickly became a favourite for gift-giving and culinary pursuits. “It’s excellent in Caesars and for cooking,” she said.
The distillery also just released a limited ginger vodka that is proving just as popular. Blending juiced organic ginger with the organic corn vodka creates a delightfully zingy and refreshing spirit.
Looking ahead
The distillery is open for visitors year-round, with extended hours in the summer. While winter is the main production and planning time for King’s Lock, things are anything but boring. King’s Lock Head Distiller, Jeff Jocham, is busy experimenting with new flavours for this year – look for the latest creations soon, including coffee-infused spirits.
Find King’s Lock Craft Distillery award-winning spirits on their website delivered straight to your door, at the LCBO, directly at the distillery, as well as at farmer’s markets across Eastern Ontario. Make a day of it and go right to the source: visit King’s Lock Craft Distillery at 5 Newport Drive, Johnstown, and be sure to follow along on Facebook @kingslockcraftdistillery and Instagram @kingslock.