Welland in the News
Limited Bridge 13 Whisky another nod to Welland, says distillery owner
October 10, 2021
Limited Bridge 13 Whisky another nod to Welland, says distillery owner
NB Distillers owner Neeraj Bakshi holds a poster showing its upcoming releases — Bridge 13 Whisky and Red Admiral Cardamom Vodka. The whisky is a limited release of 600 bottles. DAVE JOHNSON / TORSTAR
In another nod to its new home, a limited edition, handcrafted aged whisky will bear the name Bridge 13, says Welland-based NB Distillers owner Neeraj Bakshi.
The whisky will join the small-batch craft distiller’s Rose City Gin, released in June. The gin features 14 botanicals and a touch of India with ginger and red peppercorn that hits at the end of a sip.
“When this company formed, there were two barrels of whisky kept aside for aging. We opened them on Oct. 1,” said Bakshi from the distillery’s retail shop in Unit 1, 36 Darte Dr.
Six hundred bottles — the contents of the two barrels — will be released and bear Bakshi’s initials on the bottles to ensure they are part of the limited release. The bottles will come in velvet pouches.
“It came up very smooth, very elegant. I would call it a Canadian scotch. That’s how good it is,” said Bakshi.
He said calling the release Bridge 13 Whisky is another way to say thank you to the city and its residents.
NB Distillers formed in 2002 after it bought Mississauga-based Canadiana Organic Distillery Corp., which produced Canadiana Premium Red Vodka.
The company moved to Welland earlier this year and opened a retail store and temporary distillery. It purchased 2.28 hectares of surplus land west of Welland International Flatwater Centre and will build a permanent home there.
The whisky will be released Friday, Oct. 15. The distillery will be open 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.