We first did a Laphroaig/Bowmore event with Matt Jones way back in 2018, and as many members love these brands, we felt it time for a revisit 7 years later! Working with James Neil and Mike Mclean of Beam Suntory, we pulled together an incredible line-up for both brands. We started with a trio of Bowmore 15 expressions, all showcasing different styles of sherry influence. … Continue reading Laphroig & Bowmore Re-visited
For a couple of years, we’d discussed an idea of trying finished whiskies paired with the wine/sherry types they’re finished in, but it’s hard to find a consistent base spirit that enables this type of tasting. If you’re using all different whiskies as the base, how can you parse out the influence of the wine cask vs the base spirit? Enter Glenallachie! We connected with … Continue reading Finished Whiskies & Wine Pairings
The other night I finally got to try the line of official bottlings from the Fettercairn distillery. Up to now I had only tried independent bottlings, which are generally good and aren’t too hard to find. An East Highland distillery, Fettercairn has a particular tropical character that comes from cooling rings on top of the stills, as well as a characteristic earthy funk. I can’t … Continue reading [Review] Fettercairn 12, Fettercairn 16 2022, Fettercairn 18
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
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
Today I’m winding the clock back to the start of 2019. The year before, I had a few more American whiskies then I expected although not as many as I would’ve liked to review. My American whiskey of the year was the 125th Anniversary bottling of Four Roses Small Batch Cask Strength but that was out of a very limited cue of American whiskies that … Continue reading [Review] Thomas H. Handy 2012
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
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
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
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)
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
We’re going to be honest here… when we first saw the J.P. Wiser’s Alumni Series get released, we assumed it was simply a marketing gimmick that would in all likelihood take existing whiskies and re-brand then with famous players’ names to up-sell the hockey fan market. We even told the folks at Corby this and that we didn’t feel these would appeal to the whisky … Continue reading J.P. Wiser’s NHL Alumni Series
Toronto Whisky Society 