Award winning Black’s Distillery is located in the heart of Peterborough, Ontario. This absolutely outstanding, one of a kind distillery won the gold medal for gin at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition! No surprises and well done!
Owned and operated by Robert Black and his wife Barb, the couple have operated the distillery since 2016. They are aided by a small staff: Chris, sales and production; Helen, tasting and retail; and Joanna, tasting and retail.
Barrels of whiskey maturing. You could really get a sense of the Angels’ Share.
Robert was a tool and dye maker for 36 years. His story for how he developed a love for the science of distilling – from grain to glass – is an interesting one. Robert is of Scottish descent. One day in 2010 while in Scotland on a whisky tour with his brother in Islay he discovered the peat process and simply fell in love. For a while he talked about the idea of making whisky and it was Barb who talked him into taking a distillers course in British Columbia.
Following the distilling course, Robert and Barb decided it was time to set-up Black’s Distillery. With Barb’s background in marketing and Robert’s newly found background in distilling they make the perfect team; she does the administration and marketing and he does the distilling and networking. They’re the Whiskey A-Team!
Barrels of whiskey maturing in the storage room.
Women’s Whisky World was fortunate enough to meet with Robert and Barb for an exclusive interview the highlights of which I shall share with you here:
Women’s Whisky World: What do you look for in a great whisk(e)y/?
Black’s Distillery: A unique profile.* A whiskey with notes of honey, vanilla and floral; something strong, but not harsh. I like a rich flavour, something where you’re able to taste the quality or depth. Something that is not artificially flavoured. The same goes for gin and vodka; something not too harsh.
*Something I noticed is that all of Black’s Distillery’s whiskey’s have a most pleasurably unique flavour profile.
Women’s Whisky World: Agreed. I prefer an unflavoured whiskey myself. What sets your whiskey apart on the market? What makes it stand out?
Black’s Distillery: All spirits are from 100% locally grown grains with the exception of a barley whiskey that has some imported UK peated barley; everything else is locally grown and milled. As well, the terroir really comes out in the grain. We don’t use corn; we use rye and call it rye. Black’s doesn’t flavour any of its products, rather we go for the heart cut. Cuts are part of the magic.
Interview continued beneath photograph…
Entrance to the Storage Room.
Women’s Whisky World: Something that really caught my attention about Black’s Distillery was the option to purchase new make whiskey. What inspired you to bottle and sell new make?
Black’s Distillery: For starters, the taste. It’s fresh. Also, many people haven’t tried it and I wanted to offer a pre-oaked experience. Our new make barley is the only one on the market that we’ve ever seen.
Women’s Whisky World: I would tend to agree. I haven’t seen another barley new make on the market. It’s quite extraordinary. What made you choose this location for Black’s Distillery over all other available options?
Black’s Distillery: There’s a cafe district across the bridge. It is a bustling part of town. This used to be a dry part of town but that has changed in the last 40 years. We looked for a year to find the right fit. Part of what we liked about this place is that it has lots of windows, which is perfect for showing off the machinery. Also, there’s a nice bike path and lake nearby, so we get walk-in traffic. The parking lot is an important feature, too!
Interview continued beneath photograph…
Portrait of David Fife, developer of Red Fife wheat.
Women’s Whisky World: If you could give a tip to someone else starting out in the business what would it be and why?
Black’s Distillery: Open where there’s plenty of foot traffic to bolster revenue for that first year.
Women’s Whisky World: What’s your favourite aspect of the business?
Black’s Distillery: Meeting people. I was a tool and dye maker for decades, so it’s nice to get out of the shop and meet people. I also like sourcing out materials, traveling to get barrels. I get to travel to New York City for the Distributors’ Show.
Interview continued beneath the photographs…
Whisky creation machinery in the Great Room of Black’s Distillery.
A photograph of the beautiful decor in the Great Room at Black’s Distillery
Various spices to help you hone your senses.
Women’s Whisky World: What draws visitors and repeat visitors to Black’s Distillery?
Black’s Distillery: The quality and the taste profile of the spirits. The spirits are unique for people to taste; there is nothing regular about them. The gin is very popular; it’s sales are exploding.
Women’s Whisky World: This has been great! I have one final question before we move into the tasting aspect of the tour. Of the spirits you make, which one is your favourite and why?
Black’s Distillery: There is no favourite. I like them all for different reasons.
Women’s Whisky World: That’s just wonderful. How about we move into tasting the spirits now and getting some tasting notes written down for my readers?
Black’s Distillery: Sounds great. Let’s head over to the bar.
Heritage Vodka Tasting Notes
Nose: Red fife wheat, buttery popcorn, anise
Palate*: Light on the palate, spicy, sweetness, sweetgrass
*Women’s Whisky World Note: This was the best vodka I have ever tasted
Finish: Figs, smooth, buttery, long
Gin Tasting Notes
Nose: Lime, lemon, sage, cardamon
Palate*: Ginger, pepper, honey, blueberries, spruce
*Women’s Whisky World Note: Without exaggeration, this was the best gin that I have ever tasted.
Finish: Light and refreshing. Light anise. Long and smooth. Some lavender.
White Rye* (New Make) Tasting Notes
Nose: Rye grain, citrus (orange), pear, cherry blossom, vanilla, rye bread
Palate: Pepper (just the right amount), oak, celery, sage, green grass, nutmeg, cinnamon.
Finish: Remarkably smooth and long
*Robert prefers to make his Old Fashioned with the White Rye because of the balance in the finished cocktail.
White Rye Aged 6 Months in 1/4 Cask**
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, cherry, oak, leather
Palate: Orange, cinnamon, vanilla, caramel
Finish: Long, smooth and gentle
**Women’s Whisky World Note: If I didn’t know before tasting this whiskey, I would have thought it to be aged at least 15-18 years. It’s unchilled state leads to an instant viscosity on the palate that is simply gorgeous! With a dash of water it opens up the whiskey to add maple on the nose and it amplifies everything on the palate adding a spicy factor. This whiskey is simply glorious.
White Barley (New Make) Tasting Notes
Nose: Barley, terroir of the soil, subtle peat, chocolate, roses, cucumber, leather, cinnamon, black pepper, truffle, pipe tobacco, vanilla, coffee, toffee
Palate: Sweet, cinnamon, chocolate, peppery, caramel
Finish: Immensely smooth
With water this opens up the whiskey to reveal greater notes of vanilla and toffee on the palate.
White Barley (Aged 6 Months) Tasting Notes
Nose: Barley, lightly peated, citrus, leather, cedar, gooseberry, current
Palate: Tangerine, orange, black pepper, honey, caramel, chocolate-orange
Finish: Orange, smooth, long
Water amplifies all flavours and really kicks up toffee and chocolate.
If you can’t wait to try all three then grab this perfect starter pack of Heritage Vodka, Gin, and White Rye (New Make).
I saved arguably the best for last…dessert! Get ready for these tasting notes. These will really rock your socks off. You’ll want to purchase three bottles!
Cherry Whiskey Liqueur Tasting Notes
Nose: Rye and Oloroso sherry
Palate: Strong cherry, undertone of clover and lavender
Finish: Deliciously long and smooth
Black’s Distillery’s Line-up. Each is unique and outstanding in its own way.
Women’s Whisky World would like to humbly thank Black’s Distillery for this incredible opportunity, to visit and interview the distillery. Women’s Whisky World wishes Robert, Barb and their staff all the best in their future endeavours. Slàinte🍀
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