Penny for your thoughts?

Welcome to Copperpenny Distilling Co’s first-ever journal series, as part of our new campaign to inform and educate our patrons on the wonderful world of cocktails and the art of distilling. In the near future expect a variety of topics written by the Copperpenny team, ranging from recipes, neat tidbits, distillers’ history, and PSAs about exciting events we’ll be attending soon. First, a little lesson about those who may be unfamiliar with Copperpenny and its multi-award-winning lounge and spirits.

At just a little over two years old (our birthday just a day after Christmas), we’ve got the accolades to proudly proclaim that we distill one of the best gins in the world. Within six months of opening our doors and under review by London’s toughest critics, we won the Global Gin Masters for our No. 005 Social Gin. Carrying on our momentum just a few months later, we submitted our gin to the Las Vegas Pr%%f awards, where it won Double Gold, beating out hundreds of other competitors. In just the past month we have taken home another Gold medal from the 2024 Gin Masters for our No. 005.

Now after just two years of operation we are the proud recipients of over a dozen different awards and commendations for our line of premium spirits. By the end of 2023, we had earned plenty more accolades and recognition in the Vancouver distilling scene. How does an upstart distillery nestled in North Vancouver become such a hit?

It started on a dare.

Co-owners and power couple Jan Stenc and Jennifer Kom-Tong are no strangers to challenge. Working in the film industry as set designers it was imperative they contended with tight deadlines, long hours, and monumental tasks that most people would be hard-pressed to manage. Carrying that work ethic into the distilling business has paid dividends, sweeping up the BC Food & Beverage Product of the Year award with their No. 006 Oyster Shell gin in just their first year and a half of operation. It also helps when you’re inoculated against working 10 hours, 7 days a week.

During their film careers, the idea of opening a distillery was ever-present in their minds. After being told, “They wouldn’t be able to do it,” Jennifer took the challenge head-on. Sealing the start of their journey with a pinky promise and a literal “leap of faith” off their back deck, Copperpenny  Distilling Co. was born—and what began was the start of a very long, very rewarding ride.

Gin–around the world

But why gin? The world of spirits (alcohol, that is, not ghosts) is incredibly diverse, so what prompted the decision? Well, it’s because of Jan and Jennifer’s drinking philosophy during their travels. The main criteria for defining a gin are that Juniper berries must make up over 50% of the botanical base, the rest can be up for interpretation. Described by Jan as a “memory in a bottle,” Gin’s regional craft distillers often use local botanicals to create unique flavour profiles indigenous to their location. A Moroccan gin will taste wildly different than one distilled in Northern France. The distinct and varied nature of a good Gin will always bring something new to the table. Bringing home a bottle of gin from somewhere you’ve visited is like taking a piece of the land home with you.

Copperpenny, not Copper·Penny

Naming a company can be a bit daunting. Much like a tattoo, it’s often permanent, so you need to make sure it’s absolutely the perfect choice. As you probably expected, Copperpenny’s name gives you a hint about its origin.

[insert story from Jan here, I need you to be able to convey it properly]

High Spirits on the Horizon

Copperpenny continues to evolve and grow as we expand our operations, and we hope you are here with us as we continue our journey. We have no one more to thank than our loyal patrons who come sip on our cocktails and savour our spirits. You can have the best gin in the world, but without a loyal fanbase, it would only be collecting dust on liquor store shelves.

This is Copperpenny’s first journal entry of our new blog page and certainly won’t be our last.
Be sure to stay tuned for more writeups about all things Copperpenny.
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