Halifax Distilling Company

It’s a love story that keeps on giving.

In 1997, business and life partners Julie Shore and Arla Johnson came to the Maritimes, first falling in love with PEI. Julie, a dental hygienist and Arla, a psychologist, decided to leave their jobs behind and build an inn in eastern PEI. Soon after, Julie started thinking about the business of her ancestors in North Carolina – who were distillers of whiskey, apple brandy and bourbon. Julie's great, great, great grandfather was I.C. Shore, a master distiller. Inspired both by her heritage and by the plethora of potatoes on PEI, Julie decided to open a distillery producing potato vodka. After taking courses in becoming a master distiller herself, She and Arla opened the Prince Edward Distillery, distilling potato vodka, gin and blueberry vodka from local ingredients. Accolades and cheers followed!

With the Prince Edward Distillery firmly established, Julie and Arla saw an opportunity to launch a flagship craft distillery in downtown Halifax. The Halifax Distilling Co. opened in July 2016.

Given the long tradition of rum being a staple in Nova Scotia, and their love of the character and atmosphere of downtown Halifax, the couple saw the opportunity that they couldn’t pass up. Today, the Halifax Distilling Co. has quickly become a can’t-miss venue on the Halifax waterfront. You’ll be able to sample and purchase their wares for yourself at Expo!