(Phantom Light Distillery/Facebook)

By Derek Craddock

PHANTOM LIGHT

Sask. distillery gives back and earns major international award

May 26, 2022 | 3:06 PM

It has been a busy but exciting couple of months for a local business as they raised thousands of dollars for Ukraine on top of winning a huge award.

Phantom Light Distillery in Prince Albert has only been in business for roughly a year but its impact is already being felt in the city, the province, and now the world.

Recently, the company decided to donate $2 from every bottle of its product towards relief efforts in Ukraine.

President of the business Drew Martin said they felt compelled to do something, knowing a large percentage of their team and partners have Ukrainian heritage.

“When the war first broke out we noticed our team was checking their phones all the time, it was on their mind all day and all night.”

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Martin said they felt the best way to show their support was through a donation and quickly launched the campaign to donate a portion of proceeds from their sales.

“We just felt that if we’re going to do it and try to raise some real money,” added Martin.

From there, the company reached out to the major liquor stores, SLGA and privately owned stores.

The stores did their best to feature the product and the donation campaign, which Martin said made a huge difference.

“We couldn’t have done it without all of the people who have all of our product on their shelves. They really went above and beyond in terms of putting signs, putting us in a good spot. We definitely wouldn’t have been able to raise this much money without them.”

In just under two months, they raised $20,154 which will be given to the Ukrainian Congress.

“We just felt like that was the quickest way and the easiest way to get it into the hands of people who need it,” said Martin.

Aside from the major donation, the local company was also awarded a platinum medal from this year’s SIP Awards.

“If you’re making alcohol in the world, there’s one award you want to win and that’s the SIP Award,” said Martin.

There were over 1500 entries in this year’s competition, with Phantom Light receiving one of seven Platinum Awards, one of only two drinks in Canada to win one.

“This was always our goal was to have Saskatchewan put on the map as one of the places that makes the best vodka in the world.”

To Martin, the award is more than just making a good vodka, it’s about his team coming together and working tirelessly to create a product people can enjoy in Saskatchewan and around the world.

“There’s so many different parts to this puzzle that a person needs to learn, and I feel like we’re getting better every day. It’s a lot of fun.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @pa_craddock