Upper Narrows Retreat

05/13/2023

View from our neighbouring lock (Lock #35 in the Rideau Lock System)! 5min walk from

04/24/2023

Upper Narrows Retreat mentioned as a top pick for great places to stay and experience on Rideau Lakes! https://abnb.me/bhcWFYXqgzb

Photo: No. 9 Gardens Luxe lakeside cottage or rustic camping getaway? It’s all in Rideau Lakes, where the best of waterfront life awaits. This is the ultimate cottage country - and you won’t believe how many unique places to stay are on the Rideau!  Discover our top picks for cottages, cabi...

05/22/2022

Big flash storm today, beautiful afternoon! Beech tree didn’t do well. We’ll find another way to the boat house for now

05/13/2022

In April, partnered with &, a unique retreat that offers sanctuary in nature in a playful, dynamic environment. Nestled in a bountiful forest, it is no surprise that a location this beautiful produces such delicious Maple Syrup.

We got chatting with the Boomers of Upper Narrows to learn more about their beginnings, the importance of hard work, and the *secret* to working with your family.

Q. How did you start making your maple syrup?

A. Co-founder (John Criswick) of the Upper Narrows Retreat has an extreme passion for anything eco & sustainable, plus a love for maple syrup! When the property was first acquired in 2013, John looked around at the forest and thought, "we could make our own". With humble beginnings and minimal production equipment, the yield was modest, but still very delicious. John spent years trying to find the right person who would spend the coldest and muckiest months in the abundant forest collecting sap to scale the operation, but it wasn't until Mr. Boomer (Dylan) arrived in 2019, did the project really kick into high gear. From 120 trees the first year on gravity feed and 2 totes for collection to now over 1000 trees tapped, 8 totes plus a storage reservoir with a vacuum system. Mr. Boomer has many plans for future growth as well.

Wanna find out more about Upper Narrows Retreat and the liquid gold that the Boomers produce? The full interview is in the TOP SHELF TIMES section on our website www.topshelfdistillers.com

02/10/2022

Thx to for mentioning us as a local maple 🍁 syrup producer! Starting to tap now… It’s nearly maple syrup time YAY! Maple syrup season takes place between February and April. That’s when we extract the sugary sap from the trees to produce this liquid gold!🍁🍁🍁

is the Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario because of the abundance of big, beautiful maple trees throughout the area.

Our maple syrup is produced by . This family run operation have joined forces with the retreat to enhance the maple syrup harvest.
was established in 2018 with the purpose of being an eco-retreat and oasis from the city for corporate and private clients. Nestled on the edge of the Upper Rideau Lake and neighbouring UNESCO historic lock system, it’s home to mountain biking trails, walking trails and 19 acres of Maple Trees.

Our Top Shelf Sap Sipper cocktail is one of our all time faves! Head over to our RECIPES section to see a bunch of simple and delicious cocktails!

INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz Reunion Maple Moonshine
0.75 oz Perth Whisky or Bourbon
5 dashes Top Shelf Allspice Bitters
½ teaspoon Canadian Maple Syrup
Lemon Ribbon (Garnish)

GARNISH
Lemon Ribbon

GLASSWARE
Rocks Glass

DIRECTIONS
Add maple Moonshine, whisky, bitters and maple syrup to a mixing glass. Add ice and stir for 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube. Express lemon oils over the cocktail and garnish with the lemon zest peel.

09/20/2021

Evening walk on the historic lock system!

09/20/2021

Can’t beat these beautiful September sunsets on the lake.

08/29/2021

3rd edition of diving training and exercises for Dive Master scuba certification! Looking forward to offering intro to diving to guests for Spring / Summer 2022

07/08/2021

Thx for the great pictures Off they go for lake diving intro session