Silver Fox Distillery is owned and operated Mark and Lisa Townsend.
Lisa Townsend is the President of Silver Fox Distillery handling all the administration and flavour profile creations.
Mark Townsend is the Master Distiller.
While sitting around a fire Mark and Lisa discussed their future and retirement. Having always lived an active lifestyle it was not long before the conversation turned to making spirits and whisky. Having spent a youth in Cape Breton Mark had the base knowledge to start this couple upon their journey to opening one of Ontario's larger craft distilleries, Silver Fox Distillery. After many courses and certificates they started on the discovery of flavor profiles for Liqueurs. Knowing there Whisky would take 3 years to be available it was an easy decision to bring some of the most unique Liqueurs to there customers as well as Vodka and Gins.
The name Silver Fox Distillery came from long discussions on road trips, it was desired to have a name that reflected nature and both Mark and Lisa. ( Lisa would not allow Mark to call the distillery " Old as Shit") so thus Silver Fox Distillery was born.
How they met
Mark and Lisa both ride motorcycles and some 38 years ago Mark worked at Cycle World in Toronto (Canada's largest motorcycle dealership a the time). Lisa while riding in a thunderstorm arrived at Cycle World to have the chain replaced on her CM400T, while the bike was in for repairs in the basement Lisa decided to spend the time looking at the new bikes on the showroom floor. This is where Mark and Lisa met for the first time, her as a drowned rider in full rain gear caught Marks eye and they have been together ever since and married 35 years. Mark did not sell Lisa a bike that day ( bought her two since then) but together they made a far better life of learning and exploring, not just in infatuation but in a true friendship and commitment to walk through life hand in hand. Which is why on Motorcycle trips over the years Mark has been spotted cross stitching. Mark still has the Goldwing from the day they first met and can often be seen at the distillery, Lisa now rides a Venture Royal. Over the years both Mark and Lisa have restored cars and presently they are both working on a Truck for the distillery ( Lisa's truck) which is a 1951 GMC 5 window pickup. This is a very slow project due to time requirements of the distillery, but a great bonding project for the couple.
Lisa has a Bsc from U of G and does most of the lab work ensuring quality and blending of spirits and refinement of many recipe's.
Mark is the engineer that has to be kept in check so he does not go too far off the deep end ( without a doubt, Lisa's highest concern job in the distillery, leaving Mark alone in the distillery often brings new surprises) . It is with both of these personalities that has lead to award winning spirits and being named one of the top 5 distilleries in North America in its first year.
One of the requirements discussed was to be as local as possible and all grains and botanicals to be within a 50km radius.
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Proceed to Silver Fox Distillery website only if you are of legal age .
Thank-You, Whisky Santa.