The first batch of students in Canada’s first Artisan Distilling (Graduate Certificate) program were officially welcomed into their new home, a unique state of the art Teaching Distillery at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus.
The 2,500 square-foot Teaching Distillery is directly adjacent to the college’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre, and is based on the college’s successful teaching winery and teaching brewery – also Canadian firsts. The fully operational distillery houses five stills, four mash tuns and ten fermenters that allow for on-site production of a wide variety of distilled products, including vodka, gin, whisky, brandy, rum and more.
Spirits will be crafted by faculty and students in the Artisan Distilling program, and will be sold on campus alongside NC’s award-winning student-made wines, beers and ciders.
Dr. Don Livermore, master blender at Hiram Walker and Sons, encouraged students in the first Artisan Distilling program to be pioneers in their industry
“Our Canadian Food and Wine Institute is at the forefront of food and fermentation sciences in our country; it is a centre for excellence in education and training, a resource for industry and a catalyst for innovation in the sector,” said Niagara College president Dan Patterson. “Our Artisan Distilling program and the Niagara College Teaching Distillery significantly enhance our position as a national leader in this important sector.”
The Artisan Distilling program provides an in-depth understanding of the scientific, technological and business aspects of distilling and fermentation. Students gain relevant skills, knowledge and experiences in the production cycle of distilled spirits, including production, testing/analysis, and packaging/merchandising. The first-ever class of 16 students began their studies in September, and over the past several weeks have been acclimatizing themselves to the new facility, equipment, and their classmates.
“We’ve already learned a lot in the program so far – the faculty and our distiller David Dickson have been excellent,” said Artisan Distilling student Kirin Tsang. “And we’re not only learning how to make spirits; we’re also learning about each other. Everyone in the class brings with them a diverse set of skills and life experiences, and we’re looking forward to experimenting and succeeding together in this exciting industry.”
Artisan Distilling student Kirin Tsang spoke on behalf of the inaugural class of 16 students in the program, and presented Chair of Niagara Colleges Board of Governors John Scott with a commemorative whisky barrel.
Graduates from the program will go on to pursue careers working with both small- and large-volume distilleries as distillation technicians, product development and quality control experts, export licensees, sales and operations professionals and more. They will learn their craft under the guidance of David Dickson, former head distiller at Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers, who joined Niagara College as distiller in August.
Dr. Don Livermore, master blender at Hiram Walker & Sons Limited, spoke at a grand opening ceremony Oct. 4. “As a local leader in premium spirits production, Hiram Walker & Sons is a strong supporter of this state-of-the-art program and facility. In addition, I am personally very proud to see the continued growth in education under the disciplines of distilling and fermentation in Ontario,” said Dr. Livermore. “Niagara College graduates will be the next generation of leaders and innovators in this industry, and we are excited about the potential for future collaborations with students, and also the possibility of providing fulfilling careers for some of them. This program will fill a growing need for skilled, experienced workers in this expanding industry.”
The inaugural class in Canadas first Artisan Distilling program
