Lohin McKinnon is a British Columbia single malt with brewing built into its bones. Produced by Central City Brewers + Distillers in Surrey, it takes its name from brewmaster Gary Lohin and distiller Stuart McKinnon, a pairing that neatly explains the whisky’s central idea: flavourful wort first, careful distillation second. Central City describes the whisky as a collaboration between Lohin’s brewing expertise and McKinnon’s distilling work.

The distillery began as part of Central City’s expansion from brewing into spirits, with stills added in 2013 and whisky following a few years later. Its first single malt appeared in 2017, placing Lohin McKinnon among the newer wave of Canadian producers exploring whisky outside Scotland’s stricter traditions. That freedom has shaped much of its identity, with releases including traditional single malt, peated whisky, wine barrel finishes, tequila barrel finishes, and chocolate malt whisky.

Production leans naturally on Central City’s brewing background. Canadian malted barley and BC water form the base of the core single malt, which is matured in oak barrels and bottled at 43%. The house style is generally malt-forward, approachable, and gently fruity, while the peated version brings a more smoky, Scottish-inspired thread without losing its Canadian craft character.

What makes Lohin McKinnon interesting is not an attempt to imitate Scotland wholesale, but its willingness to treat whisky as a meeting point between brewer’s imagination and distiller’s discipline. It feels very much like a West Coast whisky project: technically curious, locally rooted, and comfortable with a little experimentation.