The top distinction of “Double Gold Medal” was awarded to a liqueur made from berries grown in the Smithers area in northern British Columbia at the 2015 World Spirits Awards, in Koje, Denmark, held March 19.
The Canadian liqueur topped competition from 25 countries with their Haskap Liqueur, in its first year of production. This slightly sweet liqueur, with a zing, was made 100 per cent from berries grown at Elaine and Randy Rodgers’ farm, Northern Jewel, west of Smithers, B.C. It was processed by Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery, out of Vernon, B.C., who also won the Distillery of the Year award this year.
The blue honeysuckle plant originally came from the University of Saskatchewan, but Elaine got her plants from Heavenly Blue Honeysuckle Farm, owned by Jane and Hamish Graham at Birch Hills five years ago.
All two and a half acres are hand-picked. The Rodgers hope to triple their production this year as only 600 bottles were made last year and sold out quickly in Smithers, Kelowna and Vernon.
The haskap berry is a great source of antioxidants and creates a unique dark purple drink which is also high in vitamins A and C.
Elaine’s mother, Pearl Hawkins, lives in Meota and the family is very proud of her success story. Elaine spent her childhood in the Belbutte area, so is known far and wide.
Elaine sold her gift shop in Smithers a few years ago but keeps busy with her entrepreneur instinct. I visited her shop when she had it on the farm many years ago where she had lovely pottery and items she had made for sale, before she moved her business into town.
Now their main project is the haskap berries and we wish them much more success with it.
