Author: smokedherringwhisky

Distillery Spotlight, Whisky Musing

An Interview with Master Blender, Bill Ashburn | Forty Creek Distillery (Grimsby, Ontario, Canada)

This year has been quite a challenging one for many distillers, but potentially even more so for Ontario distillers. It’s been a hard 18 months of pandemic restrictions with not a lot of payback on the governmental side of things. Yet, whisky keeps flowing to the mouths of Canadians willing to support their domestic industry. Among those distillers are one of the big players in … Continue reading An Interview with Master Blender, Bill Ashburn | Forty Creek Distillery (Grimsby, Ontario, Canada)

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Distillery Spotlight, Whisky Musing

An Interview with Head Distiller, Ned Gahan | Waterford Distillery (Waterford, Ireland)

Happy 2021 everyone! While this post should’ve come after the conclusion of the planned 4th annual Wonderful World of Whisky Show in Cornwall, Ontario back on March 26-28th in the year 2020, unfortunately it became one of the first things to be cancelled during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the whisky world has moved even further online, I had the absolute … Continue reading An Interview with Head Distiller, Ned Gahan | Waterford Distillery (Waterford, Ireland)

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Whisky Musing

Toronto Whisky Society’s Whiskies of the Year 2020

The best time of year has come once again! While some of us wish we could say that 2020 was, yet again, a fantastic year for Toronto Whisky Society, 2020 was far from ideal. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a lot of challenges to whisky drinkers around the world and has severely impacted the drinks and hospitality industry from the distilleries who make your favourite spirits, … Continue reading Toronto Whisky Society’s Whiskies of the Year 2020

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Review

[Review] Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Strength

So when I was in Chicago last year I missed out on grabbing a few American whiskies I had my eyes on in favour of some clearance deals at Binny’s, which in hindsight was probably a mistake. One of those whiskies was a Binny’s pick of Jack Daniels Barrel Strength Single Barrel, a whiskey that I’ve heard great things about even with the reputation Jack … Continue reading [Review] Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Strength

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Review

[Review] Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel 2014

Thanks to fellow TWS member TOModera for letting me try this one! Of the many bourbons I’ve tried and enjoyed over the past year, Wild Turkey has definitely been one that I can come back to. One, because its inexpensive compared to the Heaven Hills and Sazeracs of the world and, two, because those inexpensive products like the 101 Proof Bourbon and Rare Breed can … Continue reading [Review] Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel 2014

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Review

[Review] Knockdhu 9 Year 2010 Cadenhead’s Small Batch

Going back to an old review I did when this bottling hit the Alberta market back in April. It’s interesting to think back on now that Cadenhead’s has decided to replace the Small Batch series with their new “Cadenhead’s Original Collection,” which will all be bottled at 46% ABV, to whether or not this is a negative move or not towards enthusiasts. Personally I like … Continue reading [Review] Knockdhu 9 Year 2010 Cadenhead’s Small Batch

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Review

[Review] William Larue Weller 2016

This series of reviews comes from a tasting held by my friend Mark at his place (Editor’s Note: This was held back in December 2019 before the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic happened. It is still VERY not safe to do large-scale tastings yet but hopefully that changes by next Christmas!), big thanks to him for hosting and putting out some great whiskies and to the individuals … Continue reading [Review] William Larue Weller 2016

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Review

[Review] North Star Spirits Vega 22 Year Old Blended Malt

I recently purchased a few whiskies that a friend grabbed for me out West, two of which were split and one I kept for myself out of curiosity because it was a pretty good deal for a 22 year old blended malt at cask strength aged in what appears like sherry casks. It’s also a blend from a newer IB called North Star Spirits who … Continue reading [Review] North Star Spirits Vega 22 Year Old Blended Malt

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Review

[Review] Glen Scotia 8 Year Old (1980s-1990s Bottling)

So it’s coming closer and closer to a year since I’ve been to Campbeltown. And while most would crave to venture back to Springbank and Glengyle and Cadenhead’s, I really yearn to go back to Glen Scotia again because for what it is it was a great distillery experience with some very underrated whisky, especially the unpeated stuff. So with that being said, it’s time … Continue reading [Review] Glen Scotia 8 Year Old (1980s-1990s Bottling)

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Review

[Review] Hazelburn 14 Year 2005 Fresh Rum Single Cask

Hello everyone! As you’ve noticed, due to the difficulties stemming from COVID-19, Toronto Whisky Society hasn’t had too many updates to post onto the main website. So we’re slowly going to be throwing up more content including whisky reviews, starting with a review I wrote a little while ago about this stunning 14 year old Hazelburn single cask that was released exclusively for the Alberta … Continue reading [Review] Hazelburn 14 Year 2005 Fresh Rum Single Cask

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Distillery Spotlight, Whisky Musing

An Interview with Bar Manager and Distillery Operator, Andy Chu | Dornoch Castle Hotel Whisky Bar and Dornoch Distillery

Back in January I ended up at a tasting at Alo Salon in Toronto and I had the very opportune chance to interview Mr. Andy Chu who came all the way from the Dornoch, Scotland to lead this tasting for us. Andy is the bar manager for the Dornoch Castle Hotel Whisky Bar, a member of Scotland’s independent whisky bars. Dornoch Castle Hotel was also … Continue reading An Interview with Bar Manager and Distillery Operator, Andy Chu | Dornoch Castle Hotel Whisky Bar and Dornoch Distillery

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