Below The Salt Distillery is an ultra small batch, top shelf distillery producing spirits of exceptional quality and distinction. Established in 2022, Below the Salt has earned three international awards for its rums and two Canadian awards for its distilled braggot in its first year and a half! The distillery emphasizes the use of local ingredients: traditional floor-malted grains from Horton Ridge in the Annapolis Valley and local honey from Antigonish County. The organic dehydrated cane syrup comes from Central and South America. Below the Salt proudly produces everything in-house from scratch without blends, adjuncts or imported spirits.
Captain Gregg Colp has been distilling for forty years, and through his extensive travels as a sea captain, is privileged to have honed his craft from those who have generously shared their knowledge in the Caribbean and Europe.
Tasting Room
Below the Salt’s tasting room offers a cozy environment with a patio showcasing a captivating view of Cape Breton Island. Owners Vicki or Gregg guide bespoke flight tastings, emphasizing education about savouring spirits. Guests have the opportunity to learn about the distillery’s process and the stories behind the labels. Serving up flight tastings and bottle sales, the selection is augmented with a few products in collaboration with Candid Brewery in nearby Antigonish.
Come for a taste
Stay for the view
Leave with stories in a bottle
Hours of Operation
January – March open by appointment.
April – May 22nd open by appointment Monday through Thursday
Friday through Sunday 2-6pm
June – October 31 Tuesday through Sunday 2-6pm
November – December 31st open by appointment Monday through Thursday
Friday through Sunday 2-6pm
Below the Salt products:
Even if you have never liked vodka, Highland Tears Northern European Style Vodka can change your mind. This velvety sipper that is the perfect accompaniment to any seafood dish. Made with grain from Horton Ridge, it is smooth with the lingering sweetness of the grain.
The Highland Tears Spruce Tip Gin is made with Horton Ridge grain and all the standard botanicals one would expect from a classic London Gin. It’s light on the juniper to allow the spruce room to sing. A gorgeous sipper that can be enjoyed all on its own or in your favourite cocktail.
L’Ardois JaQ Marc de Canne is an unfiltered light rum that is known as an Agricole in the French Caribbean, or a Cachaca in Brazil. With a smooth smoky finish it works well as a tequila but is so smooth it can be savoured on its own. Receiving a bronze award at the 2024 Global Rum and Cachaca Masters marks the first time a medal has been awarded to a company outside of the Caribbean in this category.
Rhumb Line Amber Rum is a Jamaican style rum with all the fruitiness you would expect. The taste says pot still. Again, a smooth sipper that also makes amazing cocktails.
Trois Capitaines Merchant Navy Rum earned two silver awards in 2024 right up there with brands like Worthy Park and Mount Gay ! A traditionally overproof rum, this is a true digestif with wonderful mouth feel and a smooth chocolatey finish.
Shield Maiden Distilled Braggot is in a class of its own. Unique to Below the Salt, this is the true drink of the Vikings. Made from ale and local honey, then fermented distilled and aged in French Oak this is a cross between a single malt whiskey and a fine cognac. This was the first product we came out with and remains our biggest seller. Earned two medals from the Canadian Craft Distillers.
