Pearl Vodka is an ultra-premium vodka made in Canada. The vodka is distilled multiple times and filtered through activated charcoal to produce a smooth, clean taste. Pearl Vodka is made by Pearl Spirits, a company based in Mississauga, Ontario. The vodka has won numerous awards and is distributed globally. Let’s take a deeper look at where exactly Pearl Vodka is made and the production process behind this popular spirit.
Pearl Spirits Company History
Pearl Spirits was founded in 2005 by two Canadian entrepreneurs, Justin Hick and James Lant. They saw an opportunity to create a premium vodka brand that would compete with high-end imported vodkas like Grey Goose and Belvedere. Hick and Lant worked with distillers and blenders to develop the recipe for Pearl Vodka. They wanted to make a vodka with a soft, rounded flavor that would mix well in cocktails or drink smoothly on its own.
After perfecting the distilling and filtering process, Pearl Vodka was launched in Canada in 2007 to immediate acclaim. The vodka won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2008. Pearl Spirits opened their own distillery in Mississauga, Ontario in 2009 so they could control every step of the production process. The company’s attention to quality and detail has earned Pearl Vodka over 45 awards to date. Their vodka is now sold in 14 countries around the world.
Distillery Location
The Pearl Vodka distillery is located at 265 Summerlea Road in Mississauga, Ontario. This is where every drop of Pearl Vodka is distilled, filtered, tested, and bottled. The 50,000 square foot facility houses the entire vodka making operation under one roof.
Mississauga is part of the Greater Toronto Area in southern Ontario. It’s the sixth largest city in Canada with a population of over 700,000. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Mississauga has easy access to major highways, railways, and Toronto’s international airport. This strategic location allows Pearl Vodka to efficiently distribute their product across Canada and for export.
The Mississauga facility produces over 1.5 million bottles of Pearl Vodka per year. All the water used to make Pearl Vodka comes from a protected underground spring in Ontario. The company says this spring water is ideal for making vodka because of its purity and mineral content.
Distillation Process
Pearl Vodka is distilled from Canadian corn. The corn is first milled into cornstarch before distillation begins. Vodka distillation involves heating the cornstarch and water mixture to convert the sugars to alcohol.
Pearl uses a multi-column still to distill their vodka. This advanced still can run 24 hours a day, distilling thousands of liters of vodka per day. The multi-column still allows them to distill the vodka multiple times, increasing the alcohol percentage and purity.
After distillation, the clear, high-proof vodka passes through activated charcoal filters. These filters absorb any impurities, providing a clean, smooth finish. The vodka is then diluted with spring water to bring it down to the desired alcohol percentage. For Pearl Vodka, the target is 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof).
Quality Control
Pearl Spirits rigorously tests every batch of Pearl Vodka at their quality control laboratory in the Mississauga distillery. They test the alcohol percentage, clarity, taste, and aroma of samples from each distillation run. This ensures every bottle of Pearl Vodka meets their stringent quality standards.
The vodka is also tested by Canada’s Liquor Control Board. Independent labs certify that Pearl Vodka adheres to all provincial and federal regulations. This exhaustive testing accounts for Pearl Vodka’s multiple award wins year after year.
Bottling
After being tested in the lab, the batches of Pearl Vodka are transferred to the bottling room. Here the vodka is filtered one last time before being bottled, labeled, and packaged. The sleek Pearl Vodka bottles are custom-made with the company’s signature pearl-shaped glass stopper.
Bottling is a fast-paced process, with 700ml and 750ml bottles whizzing down the lines. But employees meticulously monitor every step from filling each bottle to applying the stopper. This attention to detail results in a high-end presentation that aligns with Pearl Vodka’s ultra-premium brand image. Six-bottle cases are packed on site before being shipped out.
Where to Buy Pearl Vodka in Canada
As a proudly Canadian vodka, Pearl Vodka is available at liquor stores across the country from British Columbia to Newfoundland. The major liquor retailers stocking Pearl Vodka include:
| LCBO (Ontario) |
| SAQ (Quebec) |
| NSLC (Nova Scotia) |
| PEILCC (Prince Edward Island) |
| NLLC (Newfoundland Labrador) |
| ALGC (Alberta) |
| BCLDB (British Columbia) |
| MBLL (Manitoba) |
| SLGA (Saskatchewan) |
Pearl Vodka can also be found in fine dining establishments across Canada. Top restaurants and bars enjoy featuring a world-class domestic vodka made right in Mississauga.
Some exclusive wine and spirit boutiques may also carry Pearl Vodka. Check high-end stores in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary. Pearl Vodka retails for around $35 to $50 per 750ml bottle in Canada.
International Distribution
In addition to being available coast to coast in Canada, Pearl Vodka exports their product around the world. Some of the current international markets include:
| United States |
| United Kingdom |
| France |
| Germany |
| Austria |
| Netherlands |
| Belgium |
| Australia |
| New Zealand |
| Japan |
| Hong Kong |
| South Korea |
The company continues to work on expanding distribution to new markets, especially in Asia and Latin America where demand for premium vodkas is growing strongly. Pearl Vodka’s distinct taste and award-winning reputation makes it an attractive brand around the world.
Cocktails and Mixes
Pearl Vodka’s smooth, subtle flavor profile makes it extremely mixable in cocktails. Here are some recommended Pearl Vodka cocktails:
Pearl Cosmopolitan
– 2 oz Pearl Vodka
– 1 oz Cointreau
– 1 oz Fresh lime juice
– 1 oz Cranberry juice
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Pearl Screwdriver
– 1 1/2 oz Pearl Vodka
– 5 oz Fresh orange juice
Pour vodka and orange juice into a highball glass filled with ice and stir gently.
Pearl Bloody Mary
– 1 1/2 oz Pearl Vodka
– 3 oz Tomato juice
– 1 tsp Fresh lemon juice
– 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
– 1/2 tsp Horseradish
– 1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
– 1 dash Celery salt
– Black pepper
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir well. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Garnish with celery stalk and lemon wedge.
Pearl Vodka Martini
– 3 oz Pearl Vodka
– 1 oz Dry vermouth
– Green olive for garnish
Add vodka and vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice and stir for 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a green olive.
As a premium but versatile vodka, Pearl mixes perfectly into these and many other classic cocktails. The smooth taste allows the flavors of the accompanying ingredients to shine.
Pearl Vodka Awards
Since it’s launch in 2007, Pearl Vodka has consistently earned rave reviews and won prestigious awards. Here are some of the awards Pearl Vodka has won over the past decade:
| Double Gold Medal | San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008 |
| Gold Medal | International Wine & Spirits Competition 2008 |
| Gold Medal | Los Angeles International Spirits Competition 2011 |
| Gold Medal | The Fifty Best 2013 |
| Gold Medal | San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2015 |
| Best Vodka | Canadian Whisky Awards 2016 |
| Chairman’s Trophy | Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2018 |
| Gold Medal | San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021 |
| Best Canadian Vodka | World Vodka Awards 2022 |
These awards validate Pearl Vodka’s outstanding taste and help further boost their global brand recognition. The company seems well positioned to keep winning accolades in the future.
Reviews of Pearl Vodka
In addition to cleaning up at major spirit competitions, Pearl Vodka earns rave reviews from liquor critics and bartenders:
“Deliciously smooth with a hint of sweetness. Pearl makes for an exceptional martini.” – Liquor Reviewer Magazine
“One of my favorite vodkas to use in cocktails. The smooth flavor complements other ingredients perfectly without overpowering them.” – Jake Harris, Head Bartender at The Overlook Lounge
“Remarkably clean taste with a gentle mouthfeel. Great to drink on its own but also mixes beautifully in my favorite vodka cocktail recipes.” – Helen Ouyang, Spirits Writer for Globe and Barrel
These reviews highlight Pearl Vodka’s versatility and easy-drinking nature. Cocktail aficionados, professional bartenders, and casual drinkers all seem to enjoy Pearl’s premium flavor and mixability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pearl Vodka is proudly distilled, filtered, tested and bottled at the Pearl Spirits distillery in Mississauga, Ontario. This award-winning vodka is a homegrown Canadian success story, competing with some of the world’s most prestigious vodka brands. With it’s smooth, subtle taste, Pearl Vodka makes an excellent vodka martini or bloody mary. The Mississauga distillery has capacity to export Pearl Vodka globally while maintaining stringent quality control. As demand for premium vodka continues growing, Pearl Vodka is well positioned to expand it’s worldwide imprint while remaining 100% Canadian at heart.