Raise Your Spirits at the Halifax Citadel!

With a kilted 78th Highlander as your guide, go behind the scenes at the Halifax Citadel to discover the history of alcohol in the British army. Savour three Halifax Citadel-aged spirits crafted by the award-winning Compass Distillers, paired with a delicious charcuterie board.

Experience Details

• After-hours access to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, a restored nineteenth-century British fortification with stunning views of Halifax and its waterfront.
• Be guided by a 78th Highlander and hear stories of how alcohol was used in the British army. Both a blessing and a curse - depending on who you ask!
• See where spirits are stored and aged in wooden barrels inside the fortification.
• A guided tasting of three unique spirits made for the Halifax Citadel Society by award-winning Compass Distillers: enjoy Daily Ration Rum, Noon Gun Gin, and Granite & Grain Whisky.
• Get the scoop on Compass Distillers’ locally sourced ‘grain to bottle’ distilling approach.

Dates & Times

• Please check back soon for dates/times for 2025!

Location

Meet your guide at the front entrance of the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site at the designated program time. Guests arriving on foot can reach the front entrance via the sidewalk from Sackville Street or via the pathway from Brunswick Street, beside the Town Clock. Parking is permitted in the pull-offs located around the Halifax Citadel’s Perimeter Road.

Price & Booking

Tickets for public programs are $66.99 plus tax, and can be booked through the Halifax Citadel Society’s Eventbrite page.  Please check back soon for dates/times for 2025!

Private programs can be booked on most afternoons and evenings for groups of 2 or more. To inquire about or book a private program, please reach out to us at (902) 426-1990 or via email at [email protected]. Private programs are priced on a per-person basis, depending on the number of guests:

• 2+ guests - $269.99 per person
• 4+ guests - $129.99 per person
• 6+ guests - $89.99 per person
• 8+ guests - $66.99 per person
• 10+ guests - $55.99 per person

(All prices are before tax.) 

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Cancellations with refunds are accepted up to 72 hours prior to the scheduled day of the tour (please note that Eventbrite's fees are not refundable).  Participants will be notified 48 hours in advance if the tour is cancelled due to inclement weather forecast, if we have not met our minimum number of participants to run the tour, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Good to Know

• To ensure a unique, quality experience, space is limited to a maximum of 15 guests per tour.
• All guests must be 19 years of age or older.
• Comfortable shoes are recommended for the exterior tour.

The Citadel Distilled: The Proof is in the Barrel

Explore Halifax Citadel National Historic Site like never before with a red-coated Highlander as your guide on this 3 hour experience. Indulge your senses with exclusive access to Compass Distillers’ onsite barreling room and open a barrel to proof it down with the distiller. Savour three Citadel-aged spirits thoughtfully paired with charcuterie and take home two bottles of your favourite.

Experience Highlights:

• Exclusive access to Halifax Citadel National Historic Site: Explore the 19th-century British fortification with your 78th Highlander guide.
• Learn of the historical connection between gunpowder and spirits,(program may require a blanket covid disclaimer).
• Access Compass Distillers’ onsite barrelling room: With one of Compass’ distillers, open a barrel to pull and “proof down” samples.
• Learn award-winning Compass Distillers’ “grain to glass” methods and hear insights on how these spirits were created.
• Sample three Citadel-aged spirits with charcuterie: Enjoy a private tasting of Noon Gun Gin, Fort George Genever, and Daily Ration Rum paired with delicious charcuterie.
• Take home a gift box set of two Glencairn glasses and two bottles of your favourite Compass Distillers Halifax Citadel-aged spirits.

Dates:

• Please reach out to us with questions about Citadel Distilled: the Proof is in the Barrel.

Price: $485 + HST per participant 

• For more information call us at 902.426.1990 or email us at [email protected].

Cancellation Policy:

• Cancellations are accepted up to 72 hours prior to the scheduled day of the tour.
• Participants will be notified 72-hours in advance if tour is cancelled due to inclement weather forecast or unforeseen circumstances.

Good to Know:

• Space is limited to a maximum of 12 people.
• Participants must be 19 years of age or older.