Tucked behind the vibrant Phillips Brewing Company in Victoria, British Columbia, the Fermentorium is a spirited offshoot where old-world distilling meets West Coast creativity. Conceived in 2014, it was born from the brewery’s desire to explore the possibilities of grain and botanicals beyond beer, with a commitment to craftsmanship and local sourcing.

The distillery operates two stills: a vintage 1920s British copper still affectionately named "Old George," and a modern German-built counterpart. This combination allows for both traditional and innovative distillation techniques. The barley used is grown on Vancouver Island, particularly the Saanich Peninsula, and malted in-house at Phillips’ own malting facility, one of the few of its kind in North America .

Fermentorium’s flagship spirit, STUMP Coastal Forest Gin, is a reflection of British Columbia’s rugged landscape. Distilled with hand-foraged botanicals such as grand fir, bay laurel, lavender, and Cascade hops, it offers a flavour profile that evokes the province’s coastal forests .

On the whisky front, the distillery has released expressions like Small Talk and Sanctuary. Small Talk is crafted from local barley and aged in a variety of casks, including those previously holding bourbon, beer, and wine, resulting in a complex whisky with notes of chocolate, spicy vanilla, and hints of Pinot Noir . Sanctuary is a single malt whisky aged between five and nine years in a mix of bourbon, beer, and wine barrels, offering a rich, multi-layered flavour profile .

Phillips Fermentorium stands as a testament to the innovative spirit of British Columbia’s craft distilling scene, blending tradition with local character to create distinctive, high-quality spirits.