Work is shipping me to Toronto later this week and I think I might take a night to go find a good whisky shop. Do any of the natives (if there are any) have suggestions? I don't imagine that it'll be cheaper than stateside, but maybe the variety might be a little different than what I'm used to.
Thanks in advance!
Well it isn't going to be cheaper...(on average) depending on where you are coming from it may be marginally cheaper but I doubt it...
The LCBO is a government operated monopoly so prices are fixed as is selection... There are a couple of specialty "high end" stores, the best of these is the Summerhill store on Yonge St. just south of the Summerhill Subway station. The have an area dedicated to tastings.. there are usually 4 or 5 differnt (decent) Whiskys available to try (cheap 1/4 shots).
There are two bars worth visiting... Allans on Danforth Ave. (between Broadview and Chester Subway stations) has a very impressive whisky selection (over 125 last time I was there many Indie bottleings), knowledgable bar staff, good food and service. Feathers On Kingston Rd. (Two blocks West of Victoria Park (I think))has a somewhat better whisky selection but if the owner is not in the service stinks, the staff are not too knowledgable and the food is only passable.
You should check out the Summerhill branch of the LCBO. In the last year they have really expanded their selection of single malts. They have brought in a growing selection of independent bottlers, such as Murray McDavid, Signatory, Dun Bheagan and even a few Whiskey Galore bottlings. They have expanded the number of cask strengths in stock and inceased the variety of distilleries available. All in all, an improvement and there might be something you might like.
Garth
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