Getting Acquainted with Sid.

Not sure if you’ve had a chance to meet Sid… but I sure did! And a privilege it was!

The launch of Goodridge & Willams’ phenomenal new office space provided an excellent introduction to Sid’s Vodka, their featured their new line of BC produced Bitterhouse Apertifs and a rare audience with Founder and master distiller, Stephen Goodridge. Attendees were treated with delicious cocktails created by renowned bartender, Shaun Layton.  

Stephen (or better known as Sid) began his distilling in the Carribean and brings over 27 years of Vancouver-based and international distilling experience to his creations. G&W Distilling formed in 2013 and has maintained the true definition of craft by sourcing their grain from the BC Peace River valley, with mashing and fermentation at their Delta distillery – truly local grain-to-glass.

The evening highlighted Sid’s vodka which presents with a delicious sweetness on the nose, suitably followed with caramel on the palate that is cut by a cleanliness one wishes for from vodka. Their new line of BC based bitters, Bitterhoure Apertifs, were exciting to explore! Partial to a good Negroni, I was quite taken with the Rubato, which is large step-up.

It was a treat to have cocktails prepared by the distinguished Vancouver bartender, Shaun Layton – with a CV boasting numerous awards and Managing the bars for L’Abattoir and most recently Juniper, his cocktails more than en pointe! ‘Up Tempo,’ an exquisite palate tantalizer, is everything you want in a refreshing, tart and balanced shaken gin drink. It captured the beautiful complexity and balance of G&Ws Tempo Renovo Dry Gin, which has floral notes with subtle and unoffending juniper, amazing citrus notes and a sweetness complimented by a balanced oily-dry mouthfeel.   

 

Shaun Layton 

GUEST BARTENDER 

G&W Spritz 

30 ml Tempo Renovo Gin
30 ml Bitterhouse LaDame
90 ml BC Sparkling wine – Stellar’s Jay

GARNISH – Grapefruit slice GLASS – Wine glass

P R E P A R A T I O N – Build in glass, add ice, stir. Fairview Slopes 

30 ml Mapleshade Répose 30 ml Bitterhouse Rubato 30 ml Sweet Vermouth

GARNISH – Orange slice GLASS – Rocks glass

P R E P A R A T I O N – Stir with ice in a mixing glass, strain into ice lled rocks glass.

Up Tempo 

45 ml Tempo Renovo Gin 15 ml Bitterhouse DaMan 30 ml fresh lime
15 ml elder ower syrup

GARNISH – Cherry GLASS – Coupe glass

P R E P A R A T I O N – Shake with ice, strain into a coupe glass.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Shaun Layton has been one of the leading personalities in the Vancouver and Canadian bar scene for years. Along the way, he has received many awards and accolades, including Vancouver Magazine Bartender of the Year, Georgia Straight Bartender of the Year, Westender Bartender of the Year, and Western Living’s Top 40 under 40. Shaun has travelled and competed all over the US and Europe, and as a bar consultant has designed menus and inspired bartenders all over Canada. He recently spent over four years as Bar Manager for Gastown’s award- winning L’Abattoir, moving on to open the bar at Juniper in Chinatown. Shaun runs his own consulting business where he does everything from menu design, sta training, public seminars, and cocktail photography. Past consulting projects include restaurants such as Earls, Miku/Minami, Espana, Bauhaus, and The Distillery Bar. Shaun is a contributor to Scout Magazine, where he writes about all things bar-related, and he is a regular speaker at the Cornucopia festival in Whistler, BC.

 

Stephen Goodridge 

FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR & HEAD OF DISTILLING 

Stephen is a trained business manager and beverage professional. His 27 year career spans managing distilleries, dairies, breweries and leading R&D for twelve years at the Mark Anthony Group during which time he led the development of some of Canada’s leading refreshment beverages and beers. In 2013 Stephen and his wife founded the Goodridge & Williams craft distillery (G&W). Together they brought their combined experience to bear in creating and marketing what have become some of BC’s best known and most popular award winning craft spirit brands.