Spring Mill Distillery
Spring Mill Distillery
AboutSpring Mill Distillery
Spring Mill Distillery began production in 2019 in the restored Allan’s Mill & Distillery buildings beside Guelph’s Speed River. John Sleeman had secured the permits in 2016, continuing a family distilling story that the house traces to Saint David’s, Ontario, in 1836. The distillery works with Canadian grain in small batches, releasing its first whiskies in 2022.
At the on-site cooperage, Quinn Sleeman inspects and repairs casks by hand, drawing on training in Scotland and the United States. He also makes a limited number of Canadian-oak barrels for selected whiskies.
Spring Mill John Sleeman & Sons Rye Whisky
Canadian Whisky
Sweet vanilla and ripe pear open a smooth Canadian rye, followed by charred orange and freshly cracked black pepper. Maturation in a combination of used and new oak brings caramelized wood and gentle spice without overwhelming the fruit. The palate is approachable and lightly creamy, with pear sweetness gradually giving way to pepper, oak and a clean, warming finish. Serve neat, over a large cube or in a classic rye Old Fashioned where the vanilla and spice can remain in balance.