Canada's insider blog

It seems fitting that a pair of adventurous entrepreneurs opened Nova Scotia’s first micro-distillery in Lunenburg, site of a thriving rum-running trade in the 1920s and ’30s. Old Town Lunenburg is now the home of Ironworks Distillery, where owners Pierre Guevremont and Lynne MacKay house their German-made still, tasting room and retail shop in a 19th century marine blacksmith shop. Using the fresh produce of the Annapolis Valley, Ironworks distills small batches of premium, hand-crafted spirits made with organic and exotic fruits and flora, including what they call a “uniquely Nova Scotian” fir bud liqueur.

This summer, Ironworks is releasing a new apple brandy in the Calvados style. MacKay describes it as a “lovely combination of ‘Honey Crisp’ and russet apples” aged for about eight months in Hungarian oak and another two months in American bourbon barrels. Visitors are invited to complimentary tastings.

There’s a rum-running theme, as well, to some of the spirits produced by Glenora Distillery on Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island. “North America’s only single malt whisky distillery and inn,” Glenora proudly produces Smugglers’ Cove Rum and Glen Breton Rare single malt whisky.

From whisky to wine, Nova Scotia’s cool climate and late fall season lets grapes ripen slowly, intensifying flavour. The result: the wineries of Nova Scotia are producing everything from superior L’Acadie Blanc to Old Vines Marechal Foch.