This past weekend, we had a chance to sample some fantastic independently bottled whiskies from a private collection. Like last year’s event, the tasting was led by Igor of Heads & Tails, who regaled us with tales of drinking with Malt Maniacs, master distillers and whisky royalty, while providing insight into the bottles we were enjoying. This year’s theme was ‘whisky with a twist’ and … Continue reading Event Recap: 2018 Vintages Tasting
We recently had an event with Cameron Millar, the brand ambassador for Edrington in Eastern Canada and tasted some fantastic drams. We both brought a few bottles we had gathered, leading to a great tasting including a number of limited editions and since delisted bottlings including: The Naked Grouse The Macallan Edition No. 2 The Macallan Edition No. 3 The Macallan Classic Cut Highland Park … Continue reading Event Recap: Macallan & Highland Park tasting with Cameron Millar
On June 2nd we celebrated yet another year of Ardbeg. But what is Ardbeg Day? For those of you like myself, Ardbeg Day was always something that “other whisky nerds” in “other countries” went to, drinking “otherworldly Ardbeg”. Sometimes literally, in the case of the year with Galileo (yes, the specific whisky that went into space wasn’t Galileo, I know, but that last line sounded … Continue reading Ardbeg Day 2018 – Toronto
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
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
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
Glenmorangie is proud to announce their newest Private Edition release, the ninth in a long line of annually released limited edition malts. Each edition explores new innovations and how they affect whisky. However before we get into the details of this new malt, first we should go back. Back to 1949. Why? Because Glenmorangie was the first Scotch malt maker to release a whisky that … Continue reading Introducing Glenmorangie Spios
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
In November, we held our TWS Annual General Meeting of the membership, and heels party of all the whiskies we had received from distilleries throughout the year. A number of folks also brought their own heels from home to share with the group. Much fun was had, many drinks were drunk, all the food was eaten, the leftover bottles given away and transit was used … Continue reading 2017 Year-end Social and AGM
For those of you who know me in person, you’ll know that I am a self-proclaimed Padawan whisky nerd (Star Wars reference). That is why I was absolutely thrilled when Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery invited me to visit their distillery and vineyard at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Wayne Gretzky Estates is an award winning winery and distillery owned by Peller Estate and Canadian legend Wayne Gretzky. Their most … Continue reading A Weekend at Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery
We’ve written a few times about Corby’s recently released Northern Border Collection here, and that’s for a couple of reasons: It’s damn good whisky that is a bit of a paradigm shift for Canadian whisky Corby has been really good about reaching out to whisky lovers and groups like ours, letting us taste it and tell its story. So since by now you’ve heard it … Continue reading TWS Northern Border Collection Tasting
As the Scotch boom grows, so does the idea that cocktails can be made with Scotch. No longer are people sneering at the idea of mixing your single malt, and as someone who has had some, let’s say extra bottles, it can actually be quite fun. Auchentoshan has a yearly event named the New Malt Order. It takes place in Germany, Sweden, the US, Canada, … Continue reading Auchentoshan New Malt Order Cocktail Event (Cocktail Recipes included!)
Toronto Whisky Society 