Small Town, Small Batches, Tall Tales
It all started in 2015, in a small Nova Scotian town, where neighbours dropped by unannounced to share gossip, catch up on local news, and maybe—if they were lucky—take home a little something special from our early batches.
The spirit of community, connection, and curiosity shaped everything we did, and before we knew it, it inspired a tagline that would define us:
“Small Town, Small Batches, Tall Tales.”
exceptional spirits at an everyday price
One fateful day in that first year, we found a typewritten job ad taped to our front door. Little did we know, it would chart a course for a future we could only dream of. It read:
"Commercial lobster fisherman from Ballantyne’s Cove Antigonish County is looking to hire a helper for the summer.
Basic requirements: sober, alert, willing to learn."
There was a phone number at the bottom. Intrigued, we gave the fisherman a call. His response still makes us smile: “I figured anyone looking for work would head your way. If you don’t need ’em, send them to me!”
The encounter embodied the spirit of small-town Nova Scotia: practical, resourceful, and always looking out for one another. That same day, as if by fate, we heard the news: two rare blue lobsters had been caught off the coast of Cape Breton—a symbol of incredible luck in maritime folklore.
It felt like a sign. The fisherman’s note, the blue lobsters, the camaraderie of our small-town roots—they all came together as the inspiration for our first spirits:
- Blue Lobster Vodka: Smooth, award-winning, and unmistakably Nova Scotian.
- Willing To Learn Gin: A tribute to the curious, the determined, and those who embrace every challenge.
- Fisherman’s Helper White Rum: A nod to the hardworking people who make our coastal communities what they are.
From that day forward, our mission was clear: to craft premium small-batch spirits, and cocktails, that celebrate the heart, history, and humor of Nova Scotia. Each bottle carries a bit of our story—and invites you to create your own.
Crafting Success, One Bottle at a Time
Since our start in 2015, Nova Scotia Spirit Co. has grown from small-town roots to an internationally recognized brand. Our spirits have earned Gold Medals at prestigious competitions like the San Francisco and New York International Spirits Competitions and we've achieved a spot on Canadian Business’s STARTUP 50 list of fastest-growing companies. Along the way, we’ve expanded our portfolio to include exciting new brands like Blue Lobster Vodka Soda, Blue Lobster Public House, Painted Boat Beer Co., Lost Bell Wines, and Annapolis Cider Company, all crafted to bring people together. These accolades and milestones reflect our commitment to celebrating Nova Scotia’s culture through premium beverages that inspire connection and community.
