Monashee Spirits Craft Distillery releases Doctor’s Orders, a testament to Revelstoke’s community and collaboration

In the rugged heart of British Columbia, amidst the soaring peaks and whispering pines in Revelstoke, lies a distillery with a narrative as rich and evocative as the flavours found in their meticulously crafted spirits.

Monashee Spirits, led by founder and distiller Josh McLafferty, became known for its innovative and resilient approach to spirit production. As the world grappled with the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, McLafferty made a necessary shift from crafting award-winning libations to producing hand sanitizer.

But McLafferty’s ingenuity didn’t stop there. In a surprising yet meaningful collaboration, he teamed up with local doctors he supported during the crisis to turn surplus local corn, originally intended to make the hand sanitizer, into a bourbon-style whisky.

This creation, aptly named Doctor’s Orders, is more than a spirit; it’s a symbol of perseverance and unity. It’s a liquid memoir, capturing the essence of those harrowing days when the world seemed to stand still.

In an interview with the Revelstoke Mountaineer, McLafferty opened up about this innovative endeavor, the community bonds strengthened and how Doctor’s Orders is just one bottle in a Days of Darkness series that stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of the community.

McLafferty’s journey with Monashee Spirits began eight years ago in Revelstoke. Throughout the years, the distillery gained a reputation for its dedication to using local ingredients and promoting sustainability. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic presented extraordinary challenges for the distillery.

“When the pandemic hit, we got letters and calls from the government telling us we had to shut down. It was a really dark time for us,” McLafferty recalled. That’s when Monashee Spirits shifted their production from spirits to hand sanitizer, becoming a crucial resource for the community during uncertain times. “We were one of the first in the country to make hand sanitizer. Local farmers brought us grains, and we distilled them into sanitizer, which we donated to local police, hospitals and residents.”

Through all this, community support played a crucial role in sustaining the business, as many people who came for sanitizer also bought a bottle of spirits. That support, along with government grants and loans, helped keep the lights on.

One of those local suppliers, Fieldstone Organics, provided Monashee Spirits with an abundance of corn. When the demand for hand sanitizer dwindled as the pandemic waned, McLafferty found himself with a surplus of this key ingredient. A conversation with local farmers sparked an idea. He smiled as he recounted, “I asked them what I should do with all this corn, and they suggested making a bourbon-style whisky.”

Although the term bourbon is reserved for American producers, Canadian distillers can still craft similar corn-based whiskies. McLafferty did just that, with the help of a local physician with a shared passion.

“One of the doctors and I decided to make this bourbon-style whisky together. He wanted to learn the process from start to finish, so we ground the grains, cooked them, distilled the spirit and filled the barrel together.”

This collaboration and the distillery’s determination during the pandemic culminated in the release of Doctor’s Orders, the name paying homage to the once-believed medicinal roots of alcohol and the tireless efforts of healthcare workers during COVID-19.

“We kept the ABV high at 58.8 per cent, joking that it would cure what ails you,” McLafferty said. Alcohol by Volume (ABV) specifies the percentage
of alcohol present relative to the total volume.

The whisky itself is a testament to craftsmanship and local collaboration.

“It’s aged almost four years in new American oak barrels with a char number four,” Josh detailed. A level four char is considered a heavy char, penetrating deeper into the wood which can result in rich flavours of vanilla, sweetness and sometimes spice.

The emerging spirit boasts rich notes of caramel, vanilla, and a smooth finish, distinguishing it from Monashee Spirits’ staple Triticale Whisky, which offers a more rye-forward profile with hints of peppercorn and baking spices.

Reflecting on the journey, McLafferty feels a deep sense of pride and gratitude.

“Those were really dark days for us. We weren’t sure if we would survive financially to even taste the whisky we were making. But the community’s support and the collaborative spirit we fostered made it possible.”

Doctor’s Orders stands as a symbol of perseverance and the indomitable spirit of a small-town distillery that refused to give up. As McLafferty put it, “When people pour this whisky, I want them to think of resilience and community. It’s a tribute to everyone who helped us through those challenging times.”

In a world forever changed by the pandemic, Monashee Spirits’ Doctor’s Orders is a reminder that even in the darkest times, there can be moments of light, camaraderie and exceptional whisky. Monashee Spirits’ releases often sell out quickly, a testament to the community support offered to the distillery.

“Our last single malt sold out in 45 minutes. We had people lined up around the block,” MacLafferty shared proudly. They have new projects on the horizon as well, including a peated triticale whisky and a peated single malt whisky, along with various seasonal gins and an Irish cream liqueur.

But for McLafferty , spirits are more than just drinks—they’re snapshots in time.

“Hundreds of hands go into making a single bottle. From the seeds to the growers to the packagers, it’s a collective effort. Our barrels age surrounded by stories and people. Spirits capture those moments.”

His enthusiasm is infectious.

“Our best times aren’t spent with a glass of water. They’re spent with a nice wine, a good whisky or a beautiful beer. That’s where the best moments of our lives happen, over food and drink. I love being part of that.”

It’s clear that this distillery is more than just a business. It’s a community gathering place, where passion and craftsmanship come together to create something truly special.