Don DiMonte

Don DiMonte is the founder and owner of Last Straw Distillery, a craft distillery located in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.12 Here's a profile of Don DiMonte:

Background and Career Transition

Don DiMonte initially worked in the family construction business, primarily focusing on sewers and water mains.1 After years in construction, he became interested in the alcohol production industry, initially considering opening a craft brewery.2 However, upon discovering that Ontario had only one recent distillery startup at the time, he saw an opportunity in the distilling business.1

Founding Last Straw Distillery

Don founded Last Straw Distillery with his wife, Ana Simoes, in 2013.5 The distillery's name was suggested by Ana as a joke, referencing both the grain-to-glass nature of distilling and the potential financial risk they were taking.1 It took them three years to navigate through regulatory challenges before officially opening the distillery's doors in August 2016.15

Distilling Approach and Products

Don took a hands-on approach to learning distillation, experimenting with different grains and processes.1 This experimentation became a core part of Last Straw's identity, leading to unique products such as:

• Gin Twenty-One
• Blackstrap Rum
• Dark Side of the Moonshine
• Darker Side (a whisky product)

Industry Involvement and Mentorship

Don DiMonte is actively involved in the craft distilling industry:

• He serves as the treasurer of the Ontario Craft Distilling Association.4
• He has become a resource for aspiring distillers across Ontario, sharing his knowledge and experience.1
• Last Straw Distillery has incubated several other distilleries, including Durham Distillery, O'Kenny Craft Spirits, and Pepprell Distilling.1

Distillery Growth

Under Don's leadership, Last Straw Distillery has expanded from its initial location:

• The distillery moved from a farm in Hillsburg to Vaughan for better retail access.3
• It has grown from one unit to two and a half units, with separate spaces for distillation, barrel storage, and bottling.3
• The company has acquired a large 7,000-liter pot still located in Collingwood, which they are working on integrating into their production.3

Don DiMonte's journey from construction to distilling demonstrates his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for craft spirits. His approach to distilling, which emphasizes experimentation and quality, has helped establish Last Straw Distillery as a notable player in the Canadian craft spirits industry.