Crafted At The Edge Of the Wild
A sanctuary is shaped by balance — the unseen roots and the canopy above, each relying on the other. Our whisky reflects that same harmony with a flavor both grounded and expansive.
The Birth of Fermentorium:
A Modern Ode to Traditional Distilling
Phillips’ Fermentorium Distilling Co. has been proudly producing and aging spirits since 2014. Crafted with presence – malted, distilled, and aged on-site with deep attention.
In 2014, a beautiful behemoth of a 1920s copper still laid the groundwork for what would become Phillips’ Fermentorium Distilling Co. This magnificent solid copper still, was aptly named “Old George,” and originally hails from the United Kingdom. In the 1950s, Old George was shipped to the Okanagans where it was used to make cider for two decades. Sadly, it would sit idle for over thirty years until it was acquired by Phillips Brewing Co. Weathered by time, Old George was far from its best state when it arrived at Phillips, but with hard work and patience the dilapidated still was able to be restored to its beautiful former glory. After such a long time unused, in the latter half of 2014 Old George produced its first runs of whisky and gin. Since then it has remained in action, honouring the craft of distilling in every expression that it produces.
Our Distillery
Conceived by the minds at Phillips Brewing Company, Fermentorium Distilling Co. is a distilling house where unrestrained creativity and a hand-crafted approach shape unique recipes of all kinds. Where time is the ingredient – long aging, slow processes, and no shortcuts.
It’s rooted in place – every expression honours the flora, air, and atmosphere of Vancouver Island. Where Old World craftsmanship meets modern techniques, as spirits are artisanally distilled in tandem on a classic 1920s British copper still affectionately christened ‘Old George’, and a modern German-built still.
Our Team
Comprised of a passionate collective of innovative minds, our team strives for perfection in all aspects of the distilling process. It all starts with the malt, we are one of the few craft distillers in Canada with an onsite malting plant. 100% of the barley we malt is local to BC, a true reflection of the terroir of Canada’s west coast. From there our experienced master distiller distills, and ages our whiskies in a variety of barrels, using everything from bourbon barrels, to French oak wine barrels and even beer barrels from past Phillips Brewing Co.’s past limited release beers.
Join Our Sanctuary Collective
Discover exclusive small-batch releases, thoughtful reflections, and limited expressions – each shaped by time, nature, and quiet precision.
In addition by joining Our Sanctuary Collective, you’ll receive limited time offers, special events, cocktail features and more.