A Fifth-Generation Farm Distillery on Vancouver Island
Best Coast Distillers crafts small-batch spirits on the historic Hastings family farm in North Saanich, blending local ingredients, coastal character, and nearly a century of farming tradition
Best Coast Distillers crafts small-batch spirits on the historic Hastings family farm in North Saanich, blending local ingredients, coastal character, and nearly a century of farming tradition
Best Coast Distillers is a Vancouver Island craft distillery located in North Saanich on the Saanich Peninsula, just north of Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Founded by a group of local partners, the distillery was built on the historic Hastings family farm — originally established in 1927 and now in its fifth generation.
What began as traditional agriculture has evolved into a modern farm distillery, where locally grown ingredients, coastal climate and a spirit of experimentation come together to create award-winning, distinctive small-batch spirits.
Today the farm and distillery operate side by side, producing spirits that reflect the land and coastal climate of Vancouver Island
Great spirits begin with great ingredients. On the Hastings family farm, fields that once produced hay have been repurposed to grow sorghum, raspberries, goji berries and other crops used in our distilling experiments.
Clean sea air, steady coastal temperatures and the unique microclimate of the Saanich Peninsula create ideal conditions for agriculture. These local ingredients — grown just steps from the distillery — help shape the character of our spirits
A natural playground of flavours surrounds us, thanks to our coastal location and the rich agricultural landscape of the Saanich Peninsula.
It’s where land meets sea — and where our passion for crafting distinctive, coastal-inspired spirits comes to life
Best Coast Distillers is located on the Hastings family farm, owned by co-founder Cory Hastings. Originally established in 1927 by his great-grandfather, the farm is now in its fifth generation.
What began as a dairy farm supplying milk and cream to homes across the Saanich Peninsula later evolved into vegetable and beef production serving the Victoria region. For nearly a century, the land has produced food for the community — and today it produces something new: distinctive small-batch spirits
In 2021, with the support of his family, Cory Hastings began a new chapter for the Hastings farm. With a vision for long-term farmland sustainability and locally grown ingredients, Best Coast Distillers was created as a farm distillery rooted in the land’s agricultural history.
Fields once used for hay have been repurposed into sorghum crops, berry patches and experimental ingredients used in distilling. The farm continues to evolve — blending nearly a century of agriculture with a new generation of craft spirits
In 2027, the Hastings farm will celebrate its 100-year anniversary, marked by the release of a special centennial whisky: Best Coast 1927.
“We’re very proud to be the first distillery in North Saanich and to preserve the farm for generations to come.”
— Grandpa Jim
“I grew up helping and learning from my grandparents every summer on the farm. Those lessons still guide the way we farm and distill today. I only wish they could see how the farm has evolved.“
From sorghum fields to copper stills, every spirit produced at Best Coast Distillers reflects the land and heritage of the Hastings family farm. We invite you to experience the flavours of the Saanich Peninsula.
Nearly a century after the Hastings farm was first established, the land continues to produce something special—now captured in every bottle of Best Coast spirits
We are pretty proud to now own one of the successful Victoria Distillers 900l Copper Pot stills, now called “MegaTron”.
This Still was built in Central Saanich by Specific Mechanical and has been in part responsible for the production globally renowned, Empress Gin. We are testing its limits to help create our current and future releases
Plus early access to limited releases, small-batch drops, and distillery-only offers.
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