Our Story
“Guided by craftsmanship, producing the finest quality products”
Yuka Fine Spirits takes pride in the quality and craftsmanship it takes to create products that resonate with our values. Our line of botanical-infused craft spirits afford us the opportunity to share our exceptional taste with you.
“A foundation of Indigenous Vision and Heritage”
Yuka Fine Spirits is Indigenous owned and guided by a vision and values rooted in the Territory. A distillery specializing in products infused with traditional ingredients known to Northern First Nations for generations. The first distillery of its kind in Canada, and the world, promoting respect for the land and the cultural heritage of the First Nations people.
“Phenomenal Botanicals”
Our Yukon-based distillery will specialize in products infused with traditional ingredients long known to the people of the Northern First Nations. Selecting from the best fruits, leaves and flowers, our team will masterfully incorporate these elements to produce high-quality crafted spirits. Each bottle will be a celebration of our land and the rich culture of the First Nation People. It will be instilled by the place and the peoples that have called Yukon home since time immemorial.
About Us
At Yuka Fine Spirits, we believe in the power of tradition – since time immemorial.
We have skillfully blended the art of agriculture and the science of distillation, selecting only the finest ingredients sourced from the Yukon. A place rich with abundant and diverse botanicals. The result is a collection of truly one-of-a-kind, young and aged spirits, crafted with care.
We proudly stand behind our premium spirits, created with the highest level of craftsmanship. Founded by Liard McMillan (Former Chief of the Liard First Nation of Watson Lake) and partners Sonny Gray & Joel Gaetz, Yuka Fine Spirits is a distillery that honors the land and the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples. Each bottle is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability and the future. We are honored to be the first Yukon-based Indigenous-owned distillery of its kind in Canada, and the world.
Yuka Fine Spirits hopes to pave a path to prosperity and create many employment opportunities as the company grows and thrives – with a goal to hire as many local Yukon First Nations people as possible.
Crafting premium spirits. Crafting the future.
The Team
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LIARD MCMILLAN
With a stellar science background and years of traditional knowledge, Liard’s unique blend of expertise is just what he needed to start the journey of Yuka Fine Spirits. For many years Liard enjoyed the art and science of beer making and distilling. From experimenting with different beer and wine recipes to exploring an infusion of Yukon’s local botanicals.
His interests blossomed from childhood experiences on the land with his father and Kaska Elders. Liard learned the core Kaska traditions of honor and respect, while surviving on the land. He went on to serve 4 terms as Chief of the Liard First Nation facilitating the burgeoning development of Kaska people and the land. By virtue of Liard’s strong advocacy for the First Nation community, Yuka Fine Spirits is a direct avenue to enrich Yukon communities through tourism and employment opportunities.
He puts 100% of his relentless spirit into Yuka Fine Spirits.
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SONNY GRAY
As an established Northern entrepreneur with close to two decades of business development under his belt, Yuka Fine Spirits is in good hands with Sonny Gray. Originating from a farm in Quebec, Sonny followed his heart and has called the Yukon home for 17 plus years – and it shows. He has selflessly served his community in varying capacities.
His network extends beyond the food and beverage industry into academic research & development areas and access to foreign markets. But staying true to his roots, Sonny dedicated his term at the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon & Yukon Agricultural Association to identifying and strategizing additional, nontraditional, revenue generation for farmers, chefs and tour operators.
Throughout his years in the industry, he saw overlooked opportunities to expand the Northern agriculture market. Along with the combined expertise of his partners, Sonny believed Yuka Fine Spirits was a way to channel his passion for developing agriculture into something meaningful.
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JOEL GAETZ
Together with his analytical mindset and commitment to excellence, Joel Gaetz is one of the selfless leaders behind Yuka Fine Spirits.
Joel is a gifted entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in business management and operations, leaving no room for doubt at Yuka Fine Spirits. In addition to over 14 years in the private sector - notably the SME space, Joel earned a diploma in Management & Accounting. He dedicates his long standing career to managing the operations and finances of multiple businesses and nonprofit organizations in the North.
Joel is passionate about giving back to The North, which is why Yuka Fine Spirits means so much to him. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children at home in the Yukon.
Distilling
Creativity
Yuka Fine Spirits will be a distillery, tasting room and experience centre. Beyond just distilling and selling products, this distillery seeks to broaden focus and include locals and tourists in the process.
Storytelling is a traditional method used by Indigenous people to share knowledge and teach values, practices and rituals; Yuka Fine Spirits plans to engage with the community and welcome locals and tourists alike to join in cultural experiences like foraging tours.
Initial offerings include young spirits (gin, vodka, liqueurs and spirit coolers), cocktails and experiential tours. Future offerings will include aged spirits, including single malt whiskey.
