In the last decade in British Columbia, distilling has exploded. We have seen a growth in locally made spirits grow especially in the last two years. Slowly, every month a new gin hits the market using BC grain, locally foraged herbs or obscure ingredients to set them apart. It's an exciting time for gin enthusiasts, localvores and bartenders alike.

It truly began many years ago in Saanich with Victoria Spirits and Victoria Gin and has grown to now offering dozens and dozens of gins across the province.But it isn't about replicating the London Dry styles of our parents, it is more about creating a style of our own while still staying true to the Pacific Northwest. The Northwest Dry style that was coined by Aviation Gin from Portland year ago really defines the direction of many gin styles in the province. Utilising the terroir of our region to create gins that are truly British Columbian in style while still having enough variations to stand out in the crowd. Here are six gins making a splash locally.

These gins are but a small cross section of what is coming out of BC along with Long Table (Vancouver), Liberty Distilling (Vancouver), Wayward Distilling (Courtney, Vancouver Island), Victoria Spirits (Saanich soon to be Sidney, Vancouver Island), Okanagan Spirits (Vernon & Kelowna, Okanagan), Pemberton Spirits (Pemberton), Merridale (Mill Bay, Vancouver Island) and it keeps going. Thirty-one distilleries in total with a further 20-30 planned in the next 12 months. Distilling in BC has turned a corner and will keep growing as long as there are people pushing the envelope.

AMPERSAND GIN - Duncan, Vancouver Island

Bang for your buck killer, sweet citrus back with classic aromatics make this gin versatile for many cocktails.

PHILLIP'S FERMENTORIUM STUMP - Victoria, Vancouver Island

Like walking through a coastal forest after a rainstorm. Unique, locally foraged botanicals & perfectly paired with the range of tonics from Phillip's Fermentorium as well.

ARBUTUS DISTILLING EMPIRIC - Courtney, Vancouver Island

Robust citrus tones upfront, with prominent juniper and coriander back-bone. Light pepper and lavender on the back end.

LEGEND'S DOCTOR'S ORDERS - Naramata, Okanagan

Locally foraged juniper berries, coriander and citrus mingle with a unique line up of Okanagan flavours - lavender, elderberry, mint and apple.

ODD SOCIETY WALLFLOWER - Vancouver

A beautiful melding of classic flavours of citrus & juniper that meld with the subtly of BC terroir. Highly mixable gin.

NOTEWORTHY - Oliver, Okanagan

Huge floral tones and an amazing mouth feel is all backed up with classic aromatics.

DE'VINE VIN GIN - Saanich, Vancouver Island

Grape based with woody but bright juniper tones, fresh pomelo grapefruit, substantial cardomon hit with a fresh, spruce tipped finish.

While local gins are a little more of a challenge to mix in a variety of drinks, this is a good start using local gin in a tweaked classic.

WEST COAST GIMLET

1 1/2 oz Stump Gin

1/2 oz Hop Drop

1/2 oz simple syrup

3/4 oz lime juice

Shake & double strain into cocktail glass, garnish with a lime wheel