The Distillery
For more than 10 years, Victoria Distillers has been producing some of Canada’s finest handmade spirits. Our unique waterfront location in Sidney, British Columbia, houses the copper pot stills that produce our range of spirits - most notably, our award-winning gins. As one of Canada’s oldest small-batch spirits companies, Victoria Distillers is influenced by history and driven by innovation. In collaboration with incredibly talented mixologists and local partners, our distillery creates both classic and innovative cocktail spirits, using the world’s best-tasting water (found right here on the Canadian west coast), and the highest quality ingredients from around the world.
Peter Hunt
President
Meet Peter Hunt, our President. Peter helped lead the team that created Empress 1908 Gin. Before becoming President of Victoria Distillers, Peter Hunt was Master Distiller for nine years. A previous decade of bartending and bar managing experience, a master's degree in molecular biology, and work at the BC Cancer Agency's Genome Sciences Centre, provided an ideal foundation for making fine spirits.
Peter had just completed his master’s in molecular biology when he decided to leave his career as a scientist to work full time as a distiller. This new career path has led Peter to create the award-winning spirits at Victoria Distillers. Without Peter’s adventurous spirit we wouldn’t have Empress 1908 Gin!
Phil Lecours
Master Distiller
Meet Phil Lecours, our Master Distiller. Phil, originally from Montreal, Quebec, has been with the distillery since 2010. He began working alongside Peter as the only two full-time employees to what Victoria Distillers has become today. Before his foray into the world of premium spirits, Phil worked as a cook and chef for over two decades. His culinary background lends to his refined palate and knowledge of flavours – ever an asset to the team. When not at work, find him watching hockey and sipping an Oaken Martinez.
Dave Clark
Distiller
Meet Dave Clark, one of our talented Distillers. Dave has been a distiller with us for over four years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. His love for mixology and fine spirits came from working as a bartender for over ten years. He went on to study brewing and distilling at Thompson Rivers University. Dave's drink of choice is a gin sour made with Empress 1908.
Aaron Martin
Distiller & Logistics Supervisor
Meet Aaron Martin, one of our Distillers and our Logistics Supervisor Aaron has been an integral member of our distillery team since 2014. He previously worked as an operations supervisor in the courier industry for over ten years. This experience created a passion for logistics that Aaron brings to work every day, ensuring shelves and home-bars alike remain stocked with our delicious hand-crafted spirits. Aaron’s favourite cocktail is the Smoke & Oak Fashioned.
