For me, alcohol is like the famous saying about art: I know nothing about it, but I know what I like. That changed after our visit to Urban Distillery, where we learned a great deal about gin, vodka, and whiskey. We found out a whole bunch of interesting facts about the distilling process and distribution of their "Spirit Bear" signature line, and about spirits in general.

We were taken for a tour of the back area to see the still, and they explained the painstaking process of filtering the ingredients to produce not just premium, but world class ultra-premium spirits. We then sat down for a tasting of said products. I tried gin for the first time in my life, and whiskey I’ve only tried a handful of times prior to this.

Though I can’t say I’ll ever get used to drinking any of these spirits straight up, my options for mixed drinks are much broader now!