Author: Bryan Vanderkruk

Event Recap

Balvenie Tasting – Event Recap

In March, we had a tasting event with Jamie Johnson (@bourbonthing), the Balvenie Brand Ambassador for Canada. Jamie blew everyone’s expectations out of the water, bringing us 9 different expressions to try, including some unicorn bottles, as well as new make and barrel-seasoning rum! The drams were tasted were: Balvenie 12 Doublewood Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask Balvenie 17 Doublewood Balvenie 21 Portwood Balvenie 12 Single … Continue reading Balvenie Tasting – Event Recap

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk2 Comments
Event Recap

Laphroaig / Bowmore Tasting – Event Recap

On April 18, we had a tasting event with Matt Jones (@whisky_chef on instagram/twitter), the Beam-Suntory brand ambassador for the company’s Scotch and worldwhisky portfolios. Matt brought us a number of expressions from both of these Islay distilleries and regaled us with tales from that beautiful island, and the people who live and work there. He also brought some great swag for everyone to take … Continue reading Laphroaig / Bowmore Tasting – Event Recap

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk2 Comments
Event Recap, Whisky Musing

Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Pairing – Jameson Caskmates and Beau’s Strong Patrick

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Ger Buckley, fourth generation Head Cooper at Jameson Distillery, and Steve Beauchesne of Beau’s Brewery and ask questions about their respective companies, roles and upcoming collaboration. Jameson shots are virtually synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day in North America, along with green beer and other things the Irish likely find abominable about our celebration of their holiday! … Continue reading Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Pairing – Jameson Caskmates and Beau’s Strong Patrick

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk2 Comments
Event Recap, Review

Lunch & Tasting with Malcolm Waring of Pulteney Distillery & Woodman Spirits

Back in November, the Toronto Whisky Society was invited to an event with International Beverage Holdings and Woodman Spirits, held at the Royal Canadian Military Institute, and TOModera and I were the privileged pair who got to attend. In case you don’t know (and didn’t follow those links), International Beverage Holdings is a company that owns many alcoholic beverage brands and manufacturers, including 5 distilleries … Continue reading Lunch & Tasting with Malcolm Waring of Pulteney Distillery & Woodman Spirits

Unknown's avatarBryan VanderkrukLeave a comment
Distillery Spotlight

Distillery Spotlight: Glenora Distillery, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

When most people think of Canadian whisky, their minds go to blends or rye (whether the whisky contains any rye spirit or not). Rarely do people associate Canada with single malts, although there are a number of distilleries producing them today with the craft distilling boom hitting the Great White North. But before that boom, while brown spirits were giving way to white spirits in … Continue reading Distillery Spotlight: Glenora Distillery, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk2 Comments
Distillery Spotlight, Review

Distillery Spotlight: Halifax Distilling Company, Halifax, NS

Halifax has become a hotbed for breweries, and now also has two distilleries operating in the city. We had a chance to visit both of them, and the write-up of the brand new Compass Distillers was previously posted here. The Halifax Distilling Company is the other and actually finds its roots on Prince Edward Island as the Prince Edward Distillery started by Julie Shore, a … Continue reading Distillery Spotlight: Halifax Distilling Company, Halifax, NS

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk1 Comment
Distillery Spotlight, Review

Distillery Spotlight: Authentic Seacoast Distillery, Guysborough NS

When you exit Cape Breton Island and start driving back towards Halifax, most travelers don’t think about taking Highway 344 and heading down the East shore. This is somewhat unfortunate, as there are a number of beautiful towns with waterways running through them and it’s an incredibly scenic drive. It also includes the future site of a commercial spaceport, which means the number of cars … Continue reading Distillery Spotlight: Authentic Seacoast Distillery, Guysborough NS

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk1 Comment
Distillery Spotlight

Distillery Spotlight: Ironworks Distillery, Lunenburg, NS

Nova Scotia’s south shore is a gorgeous mix of rocky crags, lighthouses, hiking trails and fishing towns and is well worth a visit by anyone travelling to the province. One of the most popular destinations on the south shore is Lunenburg, an historic fishing town that was put on the map as the home of the Bluenose, the famous racing schooner that graces the Canadian … Continue reading Distillery Spotlight: Ironworks Distillery, Lunenburg, NS

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk1 Comment
Distillery Spotlight

Distillery Spotlight: Compass Distillers, Halifax, NS

If you were asked which Canadian province had the most distilleries per capita, Nova Scotia likely wouldn’t be top of mind. However thanks to a government seeing the value in this industry, it has that distinct honour. Nova Scotia has created a tax environment where entrepreneurial spirit lovers can follow their passion and be profitable, while providing attractive prices to consumers. They introduced graduated mark-ups … Continue reading Distillery Spotlight: Compass Distillers, Halifax, NS

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk2 Comments