MBiz

SPRING 2018 29 Of course, nothing is ever as easy as it seems. It took nearly six months to find a warehouse space that met his unique requirements, including a ceiling high enough to accommodate an 18-foot column that is part of his brewing equipment. Even after he found his current spot on Dublin Avenue, where he now offers plant tours, it took nearly two years before Capital K was ready to begin production. "Other people we talked to who started a distillery told us two years is pretty common. There's always something to deal with. Two years is actually pretty good if everything goes smoothly," he says. Kang knew right from the start that Capital K, a tribute to his family name, had to offer something different to be successful in the highly competitive spirits business. One of the first decisions he made was to source as many ingredients as possible locally. The reasons were twofold: First, local ingredients are a huge selling point for craft liquors; and second, it just made sense from a logistics point of view. "As long as the price is fair or fair enough … turnaround time is shorter. I can order an ingredient and have it here within a week or so. For a business that's ideal," he says, adding the local wheat and rye give products a distinctive taste. Capital K's Tall Grass Dill Pickle Vodka has become one of the company's signature offerings. Although there are other similar products on the market, Tall Grass is unique in that it is infused with fresh dill, cucumber, horseradish and peppercorns that give it a singular, made-in-Manitoba taste. "It's essentially everything you need to make a pickle." Kang acknowledges that it's been a challenge to gain widespread consumer support. Because Capital K provides a premium product, Manitoba's notoriously frugal tipplers have been slow to warm to it. "Everybody who has tried the product loves it. The problem is some people think they can't afford it because it's a premium price," says Kang, who is in the process of ramping up his company's marketing efforts. As Capital K looks to boost consumer support, Kang says he's grateful for the backing he's received from the local business community. He joined the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce a year ago, something he says has provided him with a wealth of valuable information and contacts. "By joining the Chamber, you get to know others and others get to know you. It's a good way to get our name out there with some people. And the Chamber supports a lot of services and programs that we can benefit from," he says. Despite the recent accolades, Kang and his staff have no intention of resting on their laurels. Capital K recently introduced a strawberry rhubarb vodka and plans to launch rum and whiskey products later this year. ■ Photo by Darcy Finley Capital K Distillery owner Jason Kang's award-winning vodkas could become the toast of the town. "By joining the Chamber, you get to know others and others get to know you..."

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